Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Nelson > Nelson City > Rush Pool and Maori Argillite Quarry
Rush Pool and Maori Argillite Quarry
- Location
The track starts over at the gate at the far end of the Maitai Dam reserve. Near the end of Nile Street east, turn into Maitai Road and head 11km up Maitai Valley. Cross the Maitai Forks Bridge to the start of the dam reserve. Track begins at footbridge 100m back down the rd from the gateway into the reserve.
Follow the Dun Mountain fork.
- Description
A lovely invigorating walk through open country and pine plantations- leading to the man-made Rush Pool and Dew Lake. The quarry face is just above Rush Pool (see if you can figure out why the pool is called this!!)
In the quarry look for the black-grey argillite-early Maori mined this sharp-edged metamorphosed mudstone, for their own tools and as a commodity. Look for all the stone chips that litter the area-more than likely they are offcuts from tools!!
There are also treeless areas of reddish-brown rock known as ultramafic, this is part of Nelson's mineral belt!
Follow the 4WD road up the hill from the gate. Take the right fork to another 4WD road at the next signpost-follow the road following any turnoffs. Watch for the signs. Return the same way.
A challenging uphill walk so wear strong footwear!
- Duration
- 3.0 hours
- Level
- Medium
- Amenities
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- Birds
- Historical
- Plant Life
- Tramping
- Source
- www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk