Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Manawatu > Western Ruahine - Knights-Shorts Loop Track
Western Ruahine - Knights-Shorts Loop Track
- Location
- Turn right onto Apiti Road just past the village of Kimbolton. This becomes Oroua Valley Road before Apiti. Table Flat Road turns off to the right past Apiti. Follow this until you see the signpost for Limestone Road (via to the right near the end of Table Flat Road). Wind along Limestone Road till you get to the DOC car park at the end.
- Description
From the car park follow the poled route across the farmland to the forest edge and down to cross Makiekie (Coal) Creek for the first time. Depending on the amount of rain you may end up with wet feet at this crossing. The track then climbs steeply for a short time up onto a river plateau. There is a very short loop track off to the left – Te Ngahere o Tane – which rejoins the main track a few minutes further along. Just past this is a track junction. Take the left track (Knights Track) and after a further 20 min walking meet Makiekie Creek for the second time. This is an ideal spot for a picnic and a paddle.
Cross the creek here and then climb steeply through forest for approximately one hour before reaching open shrubland. From here the hard work is rewarded with great views all the way onto the top of the Ngamoko Range (a further 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr). Poles mark the junction where the route heads south along the range. Return to the car park via Shorts Track which heads down an open ridge before descending back into forest. The low level link track from Knights Track joins in below the bushline. Follow Shorts Track back to the main junction with Knights Track and on out to the car park.
This is a strenuous all day hike and due to travel on the open tops this hike should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather.
- Duration
- 10.0 hours
- Level
- Hard
- Amenities
-
- Carpark
- Lookouts
- Picnics
- Swimming
- Tramping
- Source
- www.doc.govt.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk