Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Wellington > Kapiti Coast > Mangahao Makahika Track

Mangahao Makahika Track

Location

Starting from Shannon follow Mangahao Road past Mangaore village and the Mangahao power station. Follow the narrow and winding road for 6 km to the saddle and a 1 km descent to the Tokomaru Valley road junction on left which leads to the start of Burtton's track. From the junction drive a further 2.4 km, past the Arapeti (Tokomaru #3) dam. 400 m past the Tararua Forest Park sign is a small parking area. This is the start of the track.

Description

The track can be walked from either direction but is easiest from the Mangahao road end as the steepest and longest gradient is then downhill.

The following track description applies to the walk
when undertaken from north to south.

From the parking area, the track enters the bush and climbs to a low spur where an orientation sign is located indicating approximate walking times.
The track continues in a southerly direction for 2.5km passing some fine examples of large Rimu trees that escaped the bushman’s axe, before descending and crossing three tributaries of Blackwood Stream. The stream so named after the magnificent Black Beech in the vicinity. This is the last drinking water until reaching the Makahika Stream.

The track continues south with an easy and a gradual gain in elevation before veering to the west passing an area of re-generating Manuka on land that was once farmed before turning south and following the Makahika Ridge. Passing spot 657, the highest point on the trail there are
several openings to the west that give an outlook down to the Mangaore Stream along with views of Kapiti and on a good day the South Island is visible. The Horowhenua Lookout, a small cleared area with seating, is reached after three to four hours walking from the road end and gives a grand vista of Shannon, Horowhenua and the Manawatu.
The track soon drops off with a steady descent of 350 metres passing Kapiti Viewpoint Archey’s Lookout).

Visit the website below for more information.

Distance

15.0 km

Level

Hard

Amenities

• Birds
• Camping
• Carpark
• Dogs Allowed
• Historical
• Lookouts
• Picnics
• Plant Life
• Swimming
• Toilets
• Tramping

Source

www.doc.govt.nz

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