Ref: http://tracks.org.nz/track/show/1295
Print date: 22 May 2012 21:20:47
Location: Pakuratahi Forest, Wellington, New Zealand
Overview:
Alternative and steep route up to Mount Climie
Grade: Advanced
Access: Foot
Description:
Mangaroa Forest is popular for horse riders (permission required), but also features an alternative route up Mount Climie. The start of the track from Colletts Road is a wide 4WD track, which is used for vehicle/maintenance access to the power lines that go up the hill to the radio transmitter equipment on Mt Climie. Do not be fooled by the start! The route up the hill is extremely steep in places and unsuitable for anything other than tramping (not cycling or horse riding).
At Colletts Road (where there isn't really any car parking) there is a gate and Wellington Regional Council sign. A wide 4WD track goes up the hill almost due south. There are one or two muddy spots, where vehicles and horses create small ponds for water to accumulate. About 1 km along the ridge the main track goes left (take this track) and downhill and across a small stream. The smaller track at this junction continues south up the ridgeline and terminates at the edge of the forest with some good views over Whitemans Valley and up to the southern towers on Mt Climie. I don't believe there are any tracks up, and it would involved crossing private land.
Returning to the main track, after cross the small stream it is all uphill. The 4WD finishes about 1 km later at about 460 m asl as the track comes out of the forest. From here to the top the track criss-crosses underneath the power cables that go up the hill to the TV transmitters. The track is not well defined; there are no markers of any kind. It is least distinct on the grassy areas, but basically follows the line of the power cables so if you lose the path just get back under the power cables and look for a track 10 - 20 metres either side. There are some grassy areas as the track climbs steeply and directly uphill, following the remnants of a fenceline at one stage and entering some pleasant (and flat) bushy areas around 660 m asl. It helps to have gloves at these upper areas as the track is a little slippy and the undergrowth is cutty-grass. The track is more clearly defined through the bushy areas near the top.
The track emerges near a trig on the Mt Climie track. Allow at least 1.5 hours to walk the route, and the same again for a return the same way.
Getting there:
The entrance is a clearly marked WRC gate about 400 metres from the junction of Mangaroa Valley, Flux and Colletts Rd, up Colletts Road (which is no-exit). There are no parking areas.
Other notes:
Did I mention the route is S T E E P in places?
Length: 6.37km
Conditions: Single track
Altitude:
660m
180m
840m
Last modified: 15 Jan 2012 by ledzep
Created by: ledzep