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A two-hour ride exploring the remains of a historic old tramway line, next to the main trunk line.


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Map Key

11.8

Miles

19.0

KM

30%

Singletrack

2,725' 831 m

High

2,513' 766 m

Low

619' 189 m

Up

619' 189 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

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

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 6 votes

#3371

Overall
  3.3 from 6 votes
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3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#25

in New Zealand

#3,371

Overall
21 Views Last Month
4,170 Since Jan 18, 2018
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Photos

Typical of most of the track.
Nov 24, 2020 near Ohakune, NZ
27 Novemer 2020
Nov 29, 2020 near Ohakune, NZ
Skid site
Apr 5, 2021 near Ohakune, NZ
27 November 2020 too much mud and ruts to bike, steep uphill
Nov 29, 2020 near Ohakune, NZ
Views of the Central Plateau from the Marton Sash & Door Tramway Trail.
Jan 18, 2018 near Ohakune, NZ
Mud mud and more mud
Nov 29, 2020 near Ohakune, NZ
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Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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