New Zealand Walks: York Road Loop Track

By Judy Eva

York Road Loop Track - walking over an old railway branch line The York Road Loop Track is situated at the bottom of the North Egmont National Park Ranges, Taranaki, and follows part of the old Egmont Branch railway line. The railway evolved in 1901 when the local Road Boardland Council lobbied the Ministry of Railways to construct a branch railway for metal quarrying on the mountain. Until the late 1920’s the quarry provided metal for Taranaki roads and rocks for Port Taranaki in New Plymouth. A workforce of 200 men helped build the track and trains would cart rocks from the quarries to the crusher . and into the side tipping wagons then out to Waipuku Junction near Above: The entrance to the loop walk. Below left: The old remains of the crusher quarry.

Midhurst, on special occasions passengers were even railed up the line.

World war 11 created a major setback for the quarry. Sadly tracks from the lower quarry were lifted out and shipped to the Middle East to assist with the battle efforts and everything was finally closed during the late 1940’s.

A massive retaining wall 100 metres long and seven metres high still remains. It was part of the building that housed the crushing machine and other works. Side tipping wagons brought rock to the two crushes by an upper siding. The crushed and screened metal was then fed into the wagons below for transport. The crushes were operated by water turbines.

Now heavily overgrown the castle like remains are still very impressive along with the tunnels, chambers and water ducts.

We decided to do the loop anticlockwise and not as suggested by the map as the best and most picturesque side could be achieved downhill on the return trip, the side marked A, B, C and D.

We started off at the entrance to the track at A and walked up the gentle slope which is the old original railway line track now sadly gone, ignoring the sign that said turn left not far from the start.

It is a easy uphill gradual climb and the scenery on either side was very beautiful native bush and trees with a cacophony of various bird noises. The path is quite rough and stony in places and very wet, It almost looked and felt like we were walking in a creek bed as there was a gentle trickle of water meandering down, obviously from the ranges above.

It was very obvious that it had once been the track even though the rails had been removed where the old steam train had chugged up to the Foot Station. We couldn’t help feeling nostalgic as having grown up in the era where steam trains were still operating all over the country our imaginations could still picture it struggling slowly up the grade wagons behind it and puffing smoke, an eerie sad ghost from the past. Above right: Through the goblin forest track.

York Road Loop Track - walking

over an old railway branch line

On reaching the top of the track we came to a grassy open area (E) where we turned left to continue the loop. The walk is well signposted and not far along the path we came to the swing bridge where I can only describe the view down into the river as breathe taking creating a great photo stop, absolutely majestic. From the swing bridge the loop starts to descend downhill and into the beginning of the most beautiful scenery and forest and onto the return loop where there are items of interest abandoned from the sad demise of which once would have been a busy working railway and quarry business. Once again we were met with another fantastic view to where we had been informed that this was the side that held the beauty of the loop from (E) onwards. (D), (C), and (B) on the map, (anti clockwise). 22 Walking New Zealand, issue no 293 - 2022 We were glad that we had taken the advice as the track is very uneven, rough, narrow in parts, very wet and there are several parts where you have to cross a stream to get back onto the track again which has exposed roots and rocks to clamber down and around.

The beauty of this side of the loop was once again rewarded by passing a lovely flowing waterfall, a great photo opportunity. You will wander over many boardwalks, beside, over and through a waterway hand dug with pick and shovel which carried water to the crusher, and even some remnant wooden spacings that were used as washers cut on angles to fit pipes that changed direction down Above left: One of the many boardwalks to negotiate. Above right: The swing bridge. Below left: The old original track where the railway line used to go up to the Foot Station.

the slope.

Lots of these pipes were dragged out by landowners and used as culverts on the farms. The rust coloured water trickling down is not only from old steel relics that still remain along part of the track but from kokowai manganese oxide which bubbles up from the earth.

Further on to the right there are two optional side tracks that lead to the remains of a river quarry and a middle quarry (signposted) which we thought might have been interesting, both paths being very rough and rocky but getting down to the river bed was difficult and overgrown so didn’t bother.

The second middle quarry was closed after flooding and a large pile of spoiled rock can still be found there. Continuing down the main track you can view the semi operational sand trap (D) on the map.

A further walk down will take you to the old crusher site (C) where the massive retaining wall still remains. Fantastic reading the information boards with many of the old black and white photos of how this wonderful working railway and quarry was operated, all built by hand, blood sweat and tears only to be sadly abandoned years later.

How did these men struggle with the impossible territory, snow, cold and terrible working conditions? How was a large retaining wall built by hand? Once again we could feel an eerie stillness around the skeletal remains of a once thriving industry surrounded by the silence of the forest, quiet eerie.

How many ghosts from the past still remain there? A memorial to 30 years of sweat at this site for 200 men. Imagine the effort needed to just build the crusher. There were no concrete trucks to pour these walls.

Walking down to (B) on the map will take you into the open cleared grassed area where once the bunk houses and cottages were filled with the workers and now only the foundation remains.

People in Taranaki now live and travel on the million plus tons of rock processed from quarries on the mountain and from the river from machinery that crushed rock to different sizes before it fell through screens into the railway wagons below, finally ending up on roads, railways and the New Plymouth breakwater.

Crossing a rustic footbridge will take you through more amazing scenery and through the beautiful goblin like forest and back to the start of the walk and car park. The walk is well signposted by Department of Conservation (DOC) with information boards and signs along the way.

I recommend this beautiful historic walk as a must do. I would grade the A,B,C D side as difficult and wet due to run off from the ranges. Suitable for children with an adult, you need good solid walking shoes and warm clothing, but in saying that some of the other walkers were clad in light clothing and shorts.

This beautiful 5.3km walk takes three hours to do the loop at a leisurely pace. No dogs are permitted. The loop can be walked either way, but we found it easier doing the anticlockwise. Walking clockwise as on the map you are faced with the gradual uphill climb over the rough uneven terrain. I suggest a walking pole which would help while crossing over the streams. May not be suitable in the winter months or after heavy rain.

The remnants of its former life as a railway line adds a historical flavour to this must do walk.

The Loop Walk is managed by DOC and advice can be obtained from Egmont National Park Information Centre Phone 06 759 0350 for further information on seasonal weather or email egmontvc@doc. govt.nz

The walk starts at the top of York Road, Midhurst, Taranaki. From Stratford head North along SH3 for 6kms turning left into York Road. It is 40ks from New Plymouth. The start of the walk is at the end of York Road at the end of the metal road.

Above right: The spooky beautiful Goblin Forest.

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See Victoria on two feet

There is no better way to experience Victoria’s natural assets than on two feet. Luckily, the myriad trails and tracks allow walkers to access some of the state’s most picturesque locations. Here are some top choices:

Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Walk is the State’s premier multi-day bushwalking experience.

This 100 kilometre-long iconic walk stretches along the state’s south-western coastline from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. The trail can be broken into short works or day hikes, or experienced in its entirety over eight-days and seven-nights. Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk is a threenight, four-day guided experience along the western half of the Great Ocean Walk.

Finishing with a helicopter ride over the Twelve Apostles, the experience includes transfers to and from Melbourne CBD, eco-lodge accommodation, gourmet meals, snacks and walking gear.

Grampians Peaks Trail

Currently under development, the Grampians Peaks Trail will be a 13 day, 12 night 144 kilometre (one-way) walk through the Grampians.

It can be enjoyed in its entirety or experienced in small sections at a time. The trail is rich in Aboriginal culture and will provide an insight into the lives of the Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung people. Hikers can choose to carry their own equipment and food or request for tents, sleeping bags and supplies to be provided at the camp site, enabling them to walk with a day-pack only.

The first section of the trail has just opened, and is a one-way three day, two night loop walk from Halls Gap to Borough Huts and returning to Halls Gap, covering a total of 33 kilometres. Private guided walks are available. Parktrek run four day walking tours.

Left: A family on the steps on the Surf Coast Walk.

Above: On Mt William on the Aboriginal Guided Hike.

Surf Coast Walk

The 44 kilometre-long Surf Coast Walk runs from Point Impossible to Fairhaven along the Great Ocean Road.

The trail takes in renowned beaches near Australia’s surf capital, Torquay, including iconic Bells Beach.

With 12 easy to access trail heads, it can be enjoyed as a day walk or multi-day experience. Along the way, visitors can learn about the Aboriginal (Koori) way of life with the Koorie Cultural Walk, where interpretive signs provide information.

Great South West Walk

The Great South West Walk can be broken into two-hour loop walks or day walks, while the intrepid can walk the entire 250 kilometre loop that begins and ends in Portland in South West Victoria.

From forest to beaches and the banks of the Glenelg River, the trail takes in a diverse landscape and boasts swimming holes, sand dunes, blow holes and seal colonies along the way. Auswalk runs a group guided and accommodated walking holiday along this trail.

Great Walhalla Alpine Trail

Offering an abridged taste of the epic 650 kilometre Australian Alpine Walking Track, the 40 kilometre Great Walhalla Alpine Trail links the historic mining township of Walhalla to the pristine snowgum environment of the Baw Baw National Park plateau and its nearby village resort.

Walkers can choose a ‘downhill’ or ‘uphill’ end-to-end itinerary, enjoying a two-day journey through alpine plains. Private tours are available, starting at Mt Baw Baw Resort and finishing at the Star Hotel in Walhalla.

Mornington Peninsula Walk

The 100 kilometre Mornington Peninsula Walk, takes a triangular route, linking four established trails along the state’s southern peninsula.

Highlights along the trail include the historic fort at Point Nepean, foreshore townships, Arthurs Seat, Cape Schanck and its Lighthouse. The terrain ranges from ferny glens to cliff tops, coastal tea-tree forests and golden-sand beaches.

Below: In the Glen Nayook Reserce in West Gippsland.

See Victoria on two feet

Wilsons Promontory Southern Circuit

Victoria’s most popular multi-day bushwalk, the 59 kilometre Wilson’s Promontory Southern Circuit, weaves its way around one of Australia’s best loved National Parks – from Mount Oberon to the southernmost light station of mainland Australia (where visitors can stay), through Tidal River and onto Oberon Bay. Rainforest, beaches, heathlands and coastal tea-trees make for picturesque terrain. For more information visit http://www.visitmelbourne.com.

Above: Walking on the sand beside the famous Twelve Apostles.

Photo by Roberta Seba.. Below: Sculptures on the Montalto Sculpture Walk.

The Rimutaka Trig Track Te Ara Tirohanga

he summit of the Rimutaka Hill

TRoad, SH2 from Wellington to the Wairarapa is well known to motorists as a wild place.

The road is often shrouded in mist and scoured by severe northwest gales, and sometimes closed by snow in winter.

The forest that once covered this mountainous landscape was once as luxuriant as that you can see today on the Akatarawa Road just 20 km to the west. But the Rimutaka Hill forests were burned off more than 130 years ago when the road was built.

The fire damage was particularly severe on the drier northwest-facing slopes. Rain subsequently washed away much of the soil and the slopes were then colonised by gorse.

The Te Ara Tirohanga (formerly the Rimutaka Trig Track) starts near the summit of the Rimutaka Hill Road (555m) and climbs to the northern crest of the Rimutaka Range (725m).

The track zig-zags its way up the exposed slope, where native trees and shrubs have slowly returned. Low forest, tightly packed shrubland and alpine grasses and lichens are found on the way to the summit.

On a clear day you get superb views of southern Wairarapa including Lake Wairarapa and from the Aorangi Mountains south to Cape Palliser. Take your camera!

The Rimutaka Trig track was renamed Te Ara Tirohanga in May 2012 by local Iwi. The literal translation of the name is “The view that improves as you climb the ascending pathway”

Wear windproof clothing and strong footwear, as the terrain is rocky and exposed. Allow one hour to top.

Above right: Signage at the start. Right middle: The gate at the start of the climb. Above left: The plaque on top of a rock. Below middle: The information sign. Below right: The track winds its way to the summit.