Bell Rock

Central, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Breathtaking views over Hawkes Bay high country from about 1,000 metres

Intermediate

Foot

This is reasonably energetic 3 hour loop walk through bush and then across the farmland peaks to a rocky cliff-top - it is then that you realise you are at 1000 metres! This is one of my favourite NZ walks - on a good day.

The start of the walk is signpost a few kilometres further up Pohokura Road from Boundary Stream (Tumanako Loop). This isn't much of a carpark, enough for about 2 cars to pull over from the unsealed road. The track then leads up through bush for about 2 km, then emerges over a style into farmland. The track is marked with DOC green poles with yellow ring at the top, and roughly follows 4WD tracks across the farmland. The poles do not follow the tracks exactly, taking a more direct route. In white out conditions (cloud is attracted to the peak) it can be difficult to spot the next pole - however, the 4WD tracks head in the same direction. Bell Rock is about 2 km further along, terminating at the cliff edge. There are no safety rails so take care near the cliff edge (as my Mother says ... "if you fall down I'm not climbing down to get you"). There are wonderful views from this point providing it is a clear day.

Return the same way following the DOC green/yellow poles. At the signpost to Pohokura Road you can continue straight ahead along the 4WD track. There are no poles along this route, but it is a well marked 4WD route with deep ruts in places. The track re-enters the bush reserve through a gate, and continues down along the side of the bush and exits through farmland about 700 metres further up Pohokura Road. This entrance is harder to find from Pohokura Road - on the gate is a sign "Scenic Reserve Firearms and Camping Prohibited".

Bell Rock

Track across hill tops

Bell Rock track northern entrance

Follow the directions to Boundary Stream research Tumanako Loop. Bell Rock is a few kilometres north of Boundary Stream, about 60 km from Napier. Allow an hour if driving.

The sign says cycling not permitted. However, I have seen organised cycle trips using the 4WD tracks (not the bush route through bird reserve) so it may be worth enquiring with DOC for a permit.

6.85km

4wd

274m 274m 762m 762m

26 Oct 2009 by ledzep

ledzep