Curtis Falls @ Top Tracks.info

DoC recommended times and track type:

Where is it? Drive up Pembroke Road from Stratford. About ten kilometres past Pembroke School is the Mountain House on the left. To your right is a parking area. No sign indicates where the track enters the bush, but park and walk to the top of the car park where the road heads up to the Plateau car park and ski field. To your right as you should notice a narrow gravel path entering the bush. This is it! The track to the deep Te Popo Stream is in good condition with very little mud. The stream will probably be dry but you need to cross it anyway to the staircase on the far side, slightly down stream. A good lesson here is that the direct route isn't always the best.
This signifies the beginning of a long uphill stretch before you drop sharply into the Manganui valley. Just before you descend there are some unexpected spectacular views towards the north. When you get to the river bed, you have not reached the falls, these are just rapids. Head upstream for around 15 minutes. There is no track, you need to find the best way. Assume that every wet or damp rock is slippery. While boots shouldn't be necessary, preparedness to get ones feet wet is! At the falls there is suitable space for lunch, a break, drawing, whatever. It is a very pleasant area. (There is a second larger fall upstream, but the journey to this is certainly not recommended for school groups. The track that goes up the bank to the left of the lower falls has too greater risk factor.)
While I prefer loop walks, the scenery on the return is sufficiently different to maintain interest. Features The falls, the structures, the peace and quiet Track Surface The track is in very good condition with four small wooden bridges and two sizeable steel staircases. Effects of erosion can be found just before Manganui River, the only difficult part of the track. Accessibility As it isn't too far, any age should cope. But there is some level of physical challenge, but shouldn't be too great for too many.
Dangers This track is a very good introduction to tramping as care will be needed crossing the streams, safely negotiating the staircases. A sign reminds people to face the bank when descending the Te Popo staircase. The eroded steps going down the bank into the Manganui River will require care, and for smaller children assistance may be required. Additional Notes While there are no specific activities in the Egmont National Park PDF for this walk, some will be relevant. The download link can be found on the following page. http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for- teachers/field-trip-resources/field-trips-by- region/wanganui/egmont-national-park/teaching-resource/ This information gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

Drive up Pembroke Road from Stratford. About ten kilometres past Pembroke School is the Mountain House on the left. To your right is a parking area. No sign indicates where the track enters the bush, but park and walk to the top of the car park where the road heads up to the Plateau car park and ski field. To your right as you should notice a narrow gravel path entering the bush. This is it!

The track to the deep Te Popo Stream is in good condition with very little mud. The stream will probably be dry but you need to cross it anyway to the staircase on the far side, slightly down stream. A good lesson here is that the direct route isn't always the best.

This signifies the beginning of a long uphill stretch before you drop sharply into the Manganui valley. Just before you descend there are some unexpected spectacular views towards the north.

When you get to the river bed, you have not reached the falls, these are just rapids. Head upstream for around 15 minutes. There is no track, you need to find the best way. Assume that every wet or damp rock is slippery. While boots shouldn't be necessary, preparedness to get ones feet wet is!

At the falls there is suitable space for lunch, a break, drawing, whatever. It is a very pleasant area.

(There is a second larger fall upstream, but the journey to this is certainly not recommended for school groups. The track that goes up the bank to the left of the lower falls has too greater risk factor.)


Curtis Falls
DoC recommended times and track type:
2-3 hours return
tramping track
This walk begins opposite the Mountain House on the Stratford access road. It has a level of physical challenge but is a rewarding experience with the range of flora, terrain, and the goal of seeing the eight metre falls.