Mananui TramlineBeginner

Description

This out-and-back run is on easy, mainly flat terrain through bush. It shares the West Coast Wilderness cycleway, so watch out for bikers.

From the information shelter, cross the road and enter the track marked with orange Wilderness Trail signage. This crosses the historic bridge before winding into the native bush. The first 3km is brand new trail through thick overhanging trees. An elevated outlook has great views of the Mahinapua Creek and swamp, to which you descend shortly afterwards. There is an area here of logging relics and some interesting signs about the area's history. Turn left at the junction to head onto boardwalk over the swamp.

From here the track climbs gradually through varying trees - forestry experiments lead to planting of all sorts of species, including a really nice open area of eucalypts. Keep going right to where the old tramway pops out onto a sealed road. This is the turnaround point. On the way back an optional extra is the 1.5km detour marked on the left to "Picnic Point" - this takes you to the edge of Lake Mahinapua for some great views, and is a nice much more technical bit of single track. Continue back the way you came, remembering to turn right up the switchbacks at the logging info site.

Features of interest

Lots of old logging history - this is a historic tramway with plenty of rusting relics and info boards!

Make Up of Run

Easy Single Track: 95%

Gravel Road: 5%

Route Data