Lost World

Western Hills, Wellington, New Zealand

Curvy tunnel-like pine needle descent under spooky large trees.

Intermediate

Closed, new owner has installed 'keep out' signs.

From the other side of the rusty fence head right and you will see a rough line heading left and down through pine needles. When you come to the small grass clearing turn left and then right once back into the trees. Follow the trail down under the rocky bluff. From here you should be able to follow the trail through the pine needles. When the single track makes a right hand onto an old 4wd track follow it all the way to the gorse exit tunnel. Beware the last step down to the transmission tower. This tower is number 9 on the Wilton-Central Park line. At present the trail follows the 4wd track down and south. When you come to the intersection at the bath-tub with Goatesque, turn left to exit back up to the Makara Hill road summit.

This track is accessed from the single track section on the southern end of the Skyline track.

When heading north on Skyline from the top of the Makara Hill road summit it looks like so; after about 500 metres you go around a sharp left-hander next to a water tank, continue on for another 100 metres down and then back up to the really sharp right hander. At this corner you are near to some pine trees (below you to the west). Lost World starts at the rusty fence you can just see beyond about 10 metres of gorse.

When heading south; from the Parkvale Access intersection head to the high saddle where the single track starts. Follow the single track until you come to a sharp left-hander that is close to some pine trees. Lost World starts at the rusty fence you can just see beyond about 10 metres of gorse.

This track is still pretty ferral. I couldn't possibly condone illegal track building, but this is really just clearing some old existing logging/transmission routes and a few connector bits. There is a 10 metre gorse-bash section at the top which is rather unpleasant. The main descent is open and only loosely defined. It's easy to get lost or 'gullied' if you decide to choose your own route. Beware if going off-trail as there are heaps of pointy branches around each tree, many hidden under large nests of needles up in the trees. Seriously, I don't think it ever gets windy in there.

1.24km

Gravel road

25 Nov 2006 by Jonny

Jonny