Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
3 - 4 days (20 hr)
Distance:
40 km
Description
This track leads from Whakahoro up the Kaiwhakauka Valley past the Mangapurua Trig and then descends through the Mangapurua Valley to meet the Whanganui River at the Mangapurua Landing, 30 km upstream from Pipiriki.
Approximate walking times for the 40 km track are 8 hours from Whakahoro to the Mangapurua Trig and a further 12 hours to the landing.
The track follows former roadlines and makes for easy walking. From Whakahoro the track follows the disused road along the true left bank of the Whanganui River for 1km, before turning sharply into the Kaiwhakauka Valley. The track follows along and crosses the Kaiwhakauka Stream over an old wooden bridge. It continues along the true left bank of the stream up to the head of the Kaiwhakauka Valley. Care should be taken not to disturb stock and gates should be left as found when crossing farmland.
On reaching the junction of the old Kaiwhakauka, Mangapurua and Ruatiti/ Ohura Roads keep to the right to drop down into the Mangapurua. A side track leads to the Mangapurua Trig, the highest point in the area. On a fine day there are sweeping views of Tongariro National Park to the east and Mt Taranaki / Egmont to the west. From here the track winds steadily down into the valley where the track meets and stays on the true left bank of the Mangapurua Stream. Continuing along the old roadline the track crosses numerous side streams and the valley progressively closes in (often the track is hewn into almost sheer papa bluffs and care should be taken in negotiating these sections).
Bridge to Nowhere
At the lower end of the valley the track crosses to the true right bank of the stream over the historic "Bridge to Nowhere". This is a large concrete bridge built in 1936, but is now standing abandoned in the bush in the middle of "Nowhere".
Beyond the bridge the track follows the true right bank of the Mangapurua Stream and then leads along the true left bank of the Whanganui River to reach the Mangapurua landing. This section of the track is formed to walking track standard and is often used by river travellers to visit the Bridge to Nowhere.
Getting there
Whakahoro can be reached by road from SH 4, turning off at either Owhango or Raurimu. Alternatively, access to the Mangapurua Trig may be gained via the Ruatiti Valley/Ohura Road north of Raetihi. River transport is necessary to and from the Mangapurua Landing and jetboats can be hired to carry your party either to Pipiriki or back to Whakahoro.
Activities
Historic sites
Hunting
Mountain biking and cycling
Historic sites
Today these valley are regenerating in native forest, but there are still signs of the original settlement for visitors to see, including the Bridge to Nowhere.
Hunting
High numbers of goats, low to medium numbers of fallow deer, red deer and pigs are present. Special restrictions apply and a permit is required.
Mountain Biking and cycling
This section is part of the unique heritage Mountain to the Sea cycle trail. A highlight of the trail is to cycle across the Bridge to Nowhere.
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
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