Konini Firebreak

Wainuiomata, Wellington, New Zealand

As the name suggests, this is more of a firebreak than a track. Nonetheless, it provides a useful and interesting connection between the ECNZ pylon road and the Wainuiomata valley.

Advanced

Bike and Foot

The firebreak runs along a ridge from Parkway, past a water reservoir on Round Hill, then up to the ECNZ pylon road above Mount Towai.

Although the track can be ridden in either direction, it is easier as a descent.

If heading up hill, the initial climb from Parkway is up a steep 4x4 road. After that, the track gets progressively rougher, and occasionally steeper. There are a few rolling hills along the way, but the inclination is generally upwards. Most riders will need to walk/push up some of the way.

If heading down from the top, there are a few sharp uphill sections, through they are short. Almost half way down there is a fire-fighting pond off to the side of the track.

The track surface is mostly clay and bare rock. Some of the steeper sections are deeply rutted and littered with crumbling rock, providing a challenge – especially when wet.

In several places the track splits briefly into the firebreak proper and narrower detours. The detours are easier, with some of the more direct routes being extremely steep.

The bottom of the track is accessed via a metal gate, about half way along the eastern section of Parkway.

The top is reached via the ECNZ pylon road. There are no markings to indicate the top of the track. If approaching from the south, look for a track to your right on a lefthand corner, about 2.3 km from the Wainuiomata Road saddle car park or 1.5 km from the top of Spoonhill. The track goes past pylon 26.

Don't be fooled by a 4x4 track 0.8 km up from the top of Spoonhill – it is a dead-end access track that goes to pylon 27.

If approaching from the north, along ECNZ pylon road, then don't be confused by a similar looking track about 0.25km south of the bottom of Outer Loop. That track ends at the back of a private farm off the end of Stockdale Street.

Despite signs on Parkway prohibiting motorised recreation, the area is popular with motocross riders – so watch out for them.

3.11km

4wd

3 Oct 2009 by Ian

Ian