Te Ara Mangawhero - Phase One

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Allowed

Best parking is at the Ohakune Railway Station.

Begin at the base of Ohakune Mountain Road (there is a big map signboard here), where the remnants of an old village can be seen, including fragments of a pharmacy and cooking utensils. As you progress, keep an eye out for the iconic colonial buildings across the paddocks, once bustling around the train stations at the start of the adjoining Ohakune Old Coach Road.

Best place to start maybe the Ohakune Railway Station, and follow the first part of the Ohakune Old Coach Road before dropping to the signposted path to the start.

The trail gently ascends through the forest, crossing small bridges and weaving through the ngahere. You'll briefly join the Mangawhero Forest Walk (share with care) before navigating across the road to rejoin a well-preserved section of the Bennett and Punch Tramway. This part of the trail travels through dense bush to a new bridge built upon the original piles of a historic multi-span bridge.

At a junction, turning right will lead you through wetlands and regenerating tussocks, a reminder of the forest once cleared for logging. Even today, you'll notice old stumps and remnants of iron pins from tramway sleepers scattered along the path.

The final section takes you over a 19-metre bridge, offering views of both the mountain and the surrounding bush. While the trail currently ends here, future plans aim to extend it towards the Massey University Alpine Club hut (MUAC), just below the Tūroa ski field. For now, you can continue by road to the top from the entrance bridge, and be sure to have good brakes for the descent.

At the turnaround there will soon be some stories sharing the history of this old bush tramway. Enjoy the epic views and flowing trail as you had back down! There will be some picnic tables as well.

As you head downhill, you'll pass the Ohakune water intake, taking the right hand side fork (you're on the loop part at this stage), glide over bridges, and traverse regenerating bush, eventually reaching a DOC campsite and facilities. The loop reconnects with the original track, taking you back to the start.