Ruamahanga River Bridge walk

Martinborough, a village in the Wairarapa, well known for its wineries, mar ket days, wine festivals, the annual Round the Vines event is also a place with cute get-a-way weekend holiday cottages. For those on a short stay the Martinborough Lions promote the Ruamahanga Bridge Walk as one of three walks in the area.

The start is about one kilometre from the Martinborough village on State Highway 53 where on the left is a yellow AA sign indicating there is a walkway.

You know you are there, when you also see that this is a truck washing area.

Just a few metres in from the road on the left are two arrows on a post pointing to the start of the walk.

The day was in Autumn, the grass was long and the track itself was not easy to find, but hidden in the grass are a number of steps down to a dry stream bed.

After climbing up the other side, the grass track follows the fence, through a clump of trees, down over a small foot bridge and then it wanders across to the Ruamahanga River.

The farm track follows the river for about a kilometre, before it meets a large gravel beach.

Along the way in front there are views of the Rimutakas and Tararuas and the hills that separate Martinborough and the coast.

The river bends and now the track is a gravel road that leads to the Martinborough Bridge.

You could return by the main road, but it is better to return the same way, as walking along the road can be unpleasant.

The walk takes about 30 minutes one way, and is classed as fairly easy, over uneven ground and is subject to occasional flooding. Children need to be supervised as there is a sheer cliff down to the river.

Above right: The bridge that crosses the Ruamahanga River.

Middle right: The Tararuas in the background.

Below right: The hills behind Martinborough.