Leitch's clearing
Image: Cormac Flynn | Creative Commons
Leitch's Track
Located in Whareorino Conservation Area in the Waikato region
Introduction
Take the shortest route to Leitch's clearing and Leitch's Hut.Track overview
17 km return via same track
Dog access
About this track
Description
From the car park at the end of Leitch Road, follow the track into Whareorino forest. It's a former surveyed road and is well graded.
Starting at a farm gate, the track passes farmland as it climbs before entering bush. The track decends to Leitch's clearing – walk across the clearing to reach the hut.
There are no major streams to cross on this track.
Getting there
From Piopio, turn west onto Mangaotaki Road then onto Leitch Road. The car park and entrance to the track is at the end of the road. Leitch Road (5.5km) has a gravel surface.
History and culture
Sam Leitch was a soldier awarded land after World War I in a solder's land lottery called the ballot. Leitch was awarded an isolated farm, now part of the wider Whareorino forest.The clearing where the hut now stands was the site of Leitch's home. Remnants of his plantings, mainly macrocapa and eleagnus, are still in place.
Know before you go
Keep to the tracks to prevent the spread of chytrid fungus that affects the endangered Archey's frog.
Maps: Use NZTopo50 BF31 (Marokopa ) and BF32 (Piopio)
Contacts
| Te Kuiti Office | |
| Phone: | +64 7 878 1050 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | tekuiti@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
78 Taupiri Street Te Kuiti 3910 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 38 Te Kuiti 3941 |
| Full office details | |