Sledge Discover... Track Essence of Aotearoa You ll find there s much more than meets the eye!
Discover... 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 trickling streams, Sledge Track offers a journey into the essence of Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud. All you need to do is get into it!
Contents Introduction...2 Before You Walk...3 Fun for Families...4 For a Greater Challenge...5 A Native Wonderland...6 Be Walk Wise...7 Choose Your Adventure...8 Sledge Track presents a stunning and varied adventure past swimming holes and waterfalls and up a series of steps to Hardings Park, where more serious walkers can take a breather before tackling the more arduous loop track. 1
Introduction 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). Keep going straight ahead into Kahuterawa Road, which after 6km is unsealed. At the road s end you ll find the Kahuterawa car park, where you can use the picnic tables and toilet facilities before setting our on the track some 200 metres from the carpark. Did you know?... Officially opened in 2003, Sledge Track follows an old roadway to Hardings Park, a classified 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 on the old road. 2
Before You Walk Plan where you are going, how long it should take, and account for the return trip! Tell someone where you are going. Take someone with you. Many of the walkways are near ponds, streams and rivers. Please remember to take care around water. Respect walkway signs, fences, flora and fauna, and the property of those who live nearby. Be a tidy kiwi. Dress for the weather. Slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, and slop on some sun block. Wear suitable footwear. Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints! Enjoy yourself! Talk while you walk. Please be aware that at any time we may need to close a walkway. 3
Fun for Families Sledge Track 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. For school aged children, the Argyle Rocks are a realistic target. Trekking to The Elevation and beyond is best left to experienced trampers with moderate to high levels of fitness. Even fit trampers will take three to four hours to negotiate the Hardings Park loop and return to The Elevation. See the route map for more detailed guidance. 4
For a Greater Challenge... Fit, prepared and ready for challenge? Trek the Hardings Park loop, which you get to from Platinum Ridge Junction above View Point. Choose either the left track to Red Rock Knob, or follow the longer Toe Toe Loop Track to the right. On reaching Red Rock Knob you can choose to follow the additional Platinum Mine Loop Track past a number of old mineshafts. Make sure you follow the markers and signs and keep to the established tracks as there may be undiscovered mine shafts in the vicinity. 5
A Native Wonderland Whether you re on the track for an easy picnic or a serious tramp, keep an eye out on for the large bush dragonfly or New Zealand s native carnivorous land snail and its favourite food a large native worm (up to 60 cm long!). The track s leaf litter is also home to a rare centipede. Overhead, listen out for the many bellbirds, tuis, Kereru (wood pigeons) Kahu (New Zealand Hawk), and the Ruru (morepork) that have settled in the valley. Make your journey s destination the Argyle Rocks in the Kahuterawa Stream, which following rain offers a spectacular site of cascading water. Go a little further along, between the J 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. 6
Be Walk Wise No 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. 7
Choose Your Adventure! Landmark Water Feature Rest Area Back Track Main Track 8
STAGE ONE From: Black Bridge To: Swimming Hole & Picnic Table Time one-way: 10-15 mins Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. PLATINUM MINE LOOP TRACK Time one-way: 30 mins Suitable for experienced trampers of moderate to high fitness levels. STAGE TWO From: Swimming Hole & Picnic Table To: Argyle Rocks Time one-way: 30-35 mins Suitable for school groups and moderate fitness levels RETURN TRIP From: Platinum Mines To: Kahuterawa Car Park Time one-way: 2.5 hours Suitable for experienced trampers of moderate to high fitness levels. STAGE THREE From: Argyle Rocks To: The Elevation Time one-way: 30-40 mins Suitable for moderate fitness levels. Not for school groups. STAGE FOUR From: The Elevation To: Platinum Mines Time one-way: 1.5 hours Suitable for experienced trampers of moderate to high fitness levels. EXTREME RETURN TRIP From: Platinum Mines To: Kahuterawa Car Park via Toe Toe Flat Time one-way: 3 hours Suitable for experienced trampers of moderate to high fitness levels. For an experienced tramper of moderate to high fitness level, a return journey leaving from the Kahuterawa Car Park to as far as the Platinum Mines will take approximately 5.5 to 6.5 hours (including a short lunch). 9
Palmerston North. So many ways to get into green. Want more information? Call into the City Council Customer Service Centre, Civic Administration Building, The Square, Palmerston North or - Phone 06 356 8199 - Fax 06 351 4479 - see our web site: www.pncc.govt.nz