Dogs Unknown
Family Friendly
This trail is easy enough riding so that the whole family can enjoy it. Allow about two hours for the whole ride.
Overview
A family friendly, two-hour trail along the historic Marton Sash and Door Tramway. You'll explore relics from the bush tramway era including pumice cuttings, log bridges, a small wooden dam, and rail irons.
Description
The Marton Sash and Door Tramway Trail starts and finishes at National Park Village and is suitable for the whole family.
You'll start by heading north and crossing the railway road crossing before coming back alongside the railway line (on your left). The first section traverse beside the railway line alongside the Waimarino wetlands area. (Do not cross the railway line at any stage)
Opposite Mountain Hights Lodge, turn right through the squeeze bars and ride across farmland and up the hill into the hobbit like bush. The track follows the old bush tramway route with spectacular views at open points, in between areas of regenerating native forest.
You'll see relics of a bygone era, old log bridges, rail irons, huts, dams and tram skidways. The trail travels for 1km up Cuff Rd on the gravel before re entering the bush and the west Branch section - where there are still obvious reminders of its past.
The track rejoins and heads back along the same route back to National Park Village station.
More information on the track and its history can be found on the Mountainstosea.nz site (as it is an official section of the connected network).
An alternative entry is through the private land at Mountain Heights Lodge.
History & Background
This trail was recently rediscovered after being abandoned when the tramway shut down. A large local effort resulted in the trail being opened as a mountain bike trail.
Shared By:
Peter Blakeman
with improvements
by Trail Champion M2SNZ
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