SledgeTrack

Essence of Aotearoa

Discover

All you need to do is get into it!

Manawatu’s timeless walkway adventure. Lying in the heart of the scenic

Kahuterawa Valley, Sledge Track brings you face to face with the majesty of New

Zealand’s native environment. From towering ancient trees to examples of this country’s unique fauna; from rocky

waterfalls to historic mining relics, Sledge Track offers a journey into the essence of Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud.

Discover

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Contents

CONTENTS

Sledge Track presents a stunning and varied adventure past swimming holes and waterfalls and up a series of steps to Hardings Park, where serious walkers can take a breather before tackling the more challenging loop tracks.

Introduction 2Before You Walk 3Fun for Families 4For a Greater Challenge 5A Native Wonderland 6Be Walk Wise 7Choose Your Adventure 8

2 Sledge Track

Sledge Track is only 17 kilometres and 20 minutes drive from the centre of Palmerston North.

Follow the main route south out of the city, past Massey University and take the Woodville turn off, onto Old West Road (State Highway 57). Turn right into Kahuterawa Road, which after 6km is unsealed and narrow. At the road’s end you’ll find the Kahuterawa car park, where you can use the picnic tables and toilet facilities before setting out on the track some 200 metres beyond the carpark.

Introduction

DID YOU KNOW?...

Officially opened in 2003, Sledge Track follows an old roadway to Hardings Park, a scenic reserve of more than 860 hectares of native bush at the southern end of the Turitea Water Reserve. The track was restored by retired farmer Ian Argyle and volunteers using global positioning system readings and old survey maps to ensure the track sits within the road reserve.

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Before You Walk• Plan where you are going and how long it should

take. Remember to allow time for the return trip.

• Tell someone where you are going.

• Take someone with you.

• The path passes near and crosses streams. Take care around water. Do not enter streams in high flows.

• Respect walkway signs.

• Be a tidy kiwi. Take your litter home for disposal.

• Dress for the weather.

• Wear suitable footwear.

• Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.

• Enjoy yourself!

• Talk while you walk.

• Keep your dog safe. Dogs must be on a leash.

• Be mindful – notice the bird life, the vegetation, the colours and sounds of the bush.

4 Sledge Track

The Sledge Track, and beyond, has walking opportunities for all ages and experience.

Families with small children can enjoy the first part of the track up to the swimming hole and picnic table (10-15 minutes), or if they are keen, push on to Argyle Rocks (30-50 minutes). Older children will enjoy the challenge of reaching the Lookout Point near the Quartz Creek junction.

Beyond here Sledge Track climbs steeply for 1.5km to reach Toe Toe Junction. This climb and the tracks beyond are recommended for fit and experienced trampers only. See the map and walking times for more detailed guidance.

Fun for Families

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Fit, prepared and ready for a challenge?

Sledge Track terminates at ToeToe Junction, a 1½ -2½ hr one way walk from the carpark. Beyond Toe Toe Junction more experienced trampers have the option of taking either of two loop tracks, both of which are best walked in a clockwise direction.

For a Greater Challenge...

Toe Toe Loop Track connecting with Platinum Mines Loop Track – This loop takes you north through Hardings Park to an area of former platinum prospecting. The short loop extension takes in four vertical and two horizontal exploratory mine shafts where prospector Alexander Menesdorfer searched for platinum ore in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The main loop returns via the Toe Toe flats. Keep to the established tracks as there may be undiscovered mine shafts in the vicinity.

Otangane Loop Track this 7.5km loop heads south across Hardings Park and into Tararua Forest Park, completing a circuit around the catchment of the Otangane Stream. A viewpoint from the high point on this track offers spectacular views down into the Tararua district.

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A Native WonderlandWhether you are on the track for an easy walk to a cool swimming hole and picnic spot or a serious tramp, keep an eye out for kapokapowai, the giant bush dragonfly, or New Zealand’s native carnivorous land snail (Powelliphanta sp) and its favourite food the large native earthworm (up to 60cm long!) The track’s leaf litter is also home to a rare centipede.

Overhead, listen out for the many Tui, Korimako (bellbirds), Kereru, Ruru and Karearea (NZ Falcon) that call the valley home. Palmerston North City Council traps and poisons intensively in the area to support the native wildlife and plants.

Make your journey’s destination the Argyle Rocks in the Kahuterawa Stream, which following rain offers a spectacular sight of cascading water.

Go a little further along, between the Jill White Falls and Pritchards Point, to view the valley’s massive rimu tree. Twenty-five metres tall, the five-metre-circumference tree is believed to be 600-800 years old.

REMEMBER...

New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna can only remain a pleasure to be enjoyed if we all look but don’t touch! It’s particularly important to leave any snail shells you discover where you find them.

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Be Walk WiseNo matter your destination on Sledge Track, be prepared!

Weather in the Kahuterawa Valley can change quickly. Wear sturdy footwear and always take food, drink and warm, waterproof clothing with you - even on short trips. Picnickers too, need to be watchful for changing conditions, especially when swimming or crossing streams.

Camping and fires (including gas cookers) are not permitted anywhere along the track. Also, hunters may be in the area at anytime.

Toitu te whenua – Leave the land undisturbed.

8 Sledge Track

Choose Your Adventure!

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Sledge Track

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TURITEA WATERCATCHMENT RESERVE

Access by Permit

Kahuterawa Stream

Kahuterawa Stream

Kahuterawa Stream

Ross Creek

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Quartz

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Linton

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Argyle Rocks

Swimming Hole

Toe Toe Junction

Black Bridge

Butlers Bridge

View Point

Sled

ge Track

PlatinumMine Loop

Track

Sledge Track

Toe Toe Loop Track

Otangane Loop Track

Platinum Mines Loop Track

PRIVATE PROPERTY

PRIVATE PROPERTY

HARDINGS PARK

HARDINGS PARK

TARARUA FOREST PARK

Otangane Stream

KAHUTERAWA FOREST PARK

PRIVATE PROPERTY

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FROM TO APPROXIMATELY WALKING TIME SUITABILITY

Black Bridge Swimming hole & Picnic Tables 10 - 15 minutes ONE WAY Suitable forfamilies with children.Black Bridge Argyle Rocks 30 - 50 minutes ONE WAY

Black Bridge Toe Toe Junction 1.5 - 2.5 hours ONE WAY

Fit and experienced trampers.

Sledge Track and Toe Toe Loop 5.5 - 6.5 hours RETURN

Sledge Track and Otangane Loop 7.5 - 8.5 hours RETURN

Platinum Mines Loop 30 minutes RETURN

Walking Times

• Hunting is not permitted on the Sledge Track, however, firearms can be carried into Hardings Park where hunting is permitted with a permit.

• A separate DoC permit is required to hunt in Tararua Forest Park.

• Not suitable for mountain biking.

• Please take your litter away with you.

• Poison for pest control may be laid at any time. Please keep your dogs on a leash.

• Don’t light fires.

• No motorcycles.

• No horses.

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Palmerston North City Council

W pncc.govt.nz | E info@pncc.govt.nz | P 356 8199 | Private Bag 11034, The Square, Palmerston North, 4442