Patea Loop Walk @ Top Tracks.info

DoC recommended times and track type:

Where is it? Drive up the mountain from Stratford to the Mountain House. One end of the walk begins at the top of the car park that is to the right of the access road. Upon entering the bush you will quickly come to an intersection where you go left, the Curtis Falls track continues straight on. A gentle grade with steps in places takes you up to a road crossing where you enter the bush again slightly above where you came out. From here you descend, crossing several streams that have had substantial bridges placed over them. A couple of crossings are over the Patea River’s headwaters.
Features Some great mosses and mountain fuchsia can be seen. Track Surface The track surface is not great and is showing severe effects of erosion and weather. The surface is washed out in several places and there were several trees down blocking the path at the end of 2004. Accessibility Certainly not arduous but some steps are big as a result of erosion.
Dangers The two road crossings will require supervision if school groups are attempting this walk. There is little warning to drivers that people could be crossing.
Additional Notes The Department of Conservation web site has some information in a PDF file called Egmont National Park. There are also pupil activities at the end of this, see below. Patea Loop (pp 11, activities 16,8,26) http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for-teachers/field-trip-resources/ field-trips-by-region/wanganui/egmont-national-park/teaching-resource/ This information was gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

Drive up the mountain from Stratford to the Mountain House. One end of the walk begins at the top of the car park that is to the right of the access road. Upon entering the bush you will quickly come to an intersection where you go left, the Curtis Falls track continues straight on.

A gentle grade with steps in places takes you up to a road crossing where you enter the bush again slightly above where you came out. From here you descend, crossing several streams that have had substantial bridges placed over them. A couple of crossings are over the Patea River’s headwaters.

Features

Some great mosses and mountain fuchsia can be seen.

Track Surface

The track surface is not great and is showing severe effects of erosion and weather. The surface is washed out in several places and there were several trees down blocking the path at the end of 2004.

Accessibility

Certainly not arduous but some steps are big as a result of erosion.


Patea Loop Track
DoC recommended times and track type:
60 90 minutes
short walk
You can find this walk at the Stratford Mountain House, which it circumnavigates. It enters the bush below the buildings and climbs before crossing the road that goes to the Plateau and comes down the other side exiting at the top of the car park opposite the Mountain House.