No.1 Line Tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
2 - 3 hr
Distance:
2.3 km
Description
No. 1 Line Track to View Point
The track heads into forest immediately behind the carpark and consists of a series of steepish climbs interspersed with a few level sections to get your breath back. Not far from the beginning is a huge rimu and a bit further on a large rata. As the track climbs higher up the ridge, lovely views out to the west are frequent. Just before the main track finishes there is a wonderful lookout giving views up to the main range and back out towards the coast.
Trig Loop Track (30 minutes, 815 m)
Enjoy the walk from the carpark, past the giant rimu to the large rata. Here, a track splits off from the main track to wind up the slope behind the rata to a trig at the park boundary, with a nice view across the farmland. Cross into private land and follow the track back to the carpark.
Getting there
Head towards Pohangina from Ashhurst and turn right onto Pohangina Valley East Road. Follow this past Awahou School and then turn right onto No.1 Line Road and continue along this gravel road to the carpark at the end.
About the area
The rata and kamahi forest that once thrived in this southern area of the park has been severely damaged over the years by possums. Introduced as early as the 1890's, their chomping, in combination with high winds, heavy rains and slips, contributed to a major forest collapse by the 1950's. Today the forest has more horopito, rangiora, bush lawyer and toetoe - all species possums don't favour. Recreational hunting is one of the main forms of animal control in this area today.
No.1 Line Road stops short of the park boundary so it is necessary to cross private property. Kerry and Raewyn Hilliard own Songbird Gardens, which adjoins the Ruahine Forest Park. The No. 1 Line tracks' access way, car park area and part of the trig loop track are available to the public thanks to the Hilliard's willingness and generosity.
Plan and prepare
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Location map
