Kohangapiripiri

Parangarahu Lakes, Wellington, New Zealand

Interesting single track around the shores of Lake Kohangapiripiri.

Intermediate

Bike and Foot

Lake Kohangapiripiri is an important ecological area, consisting of a freshwater lake and associated wetland area.

This track continues along the ridge from the point where Cameron Ridge drops down to the lake. Having rumbled along the ridge for a while, this track drops down to the Cameron Creek wetland, crossing it via a 70m long boardwalk (marked with signs warning about the deep water). The boardwalk includes a sheep-stop grill towards the western end.

Thereafter the track skirts the western lake shore except for a short, sharp climb and then descent over a ridge that juts out into the lake.

The track is generally smooth and wide, with boggy bits either bridged or filled with gravel to create a firm surface.

A short detour is available up to the Lake Kohangapiripiri lookout, as shown on the map. Inconstant Point continues up hill from the lookout sign.

It is possible – on foot only – to bypass the short, sharp climb/descent near the western end. A sheep track that goes around the shoreline can be walked fairly easily, except for the rocky point which requires a bit of scrambling.

The western end can be found by travelling 0.8km past the Lower Pencarrow Lighthouse, along Baring Head. If you cross the outlet of Lake Kohangapiripiri then you've gone too far. At that point Light house track is a gravel road that veers off to the left, so follow that for 0.7km to where this track crosses the wetland and heads around the lake.

Alternatively, to find the eastern end, climb to the top of Cameron Ridge and keep going north until you find the sign posted end of this track.

3.24km

Single track

28 Feb 2010 by Ian

Ian