Wakamarina Track

The Wakamarina Track, an old goldminers’ trail, crosses the Richmond Range from the Wairau Valley to the Wakamarina Valley. Mountain bikers could complete the trip in one day (or do a there and back style ride to Fosters Clearing - Intermediate Grade). The track is best ridden as described below, from south to north.

Ride up to Fosters Clearing for views (water supply in the clearing), then descend and sidle about 2km's before walking to the top of the crossing (1066m). It's rough going through here. From here it's switchbacks galore as you descend over 800m in 2.5km's of rocky, twisty singletrack.

Near the bottom turn right at the turn off to Stone Huts, and you'll shortly reach the Devils Creek Hut turn off. Have a look at the hut, or sidle down to the Wakamarina River valley. After 4km's you'll reach the Doom Creek Hut site, head left down to the footbridge crossing Doom Creek and head left again. The Wakamarina Rd end is 2km's further on, and then an easy 15km's to Canvastown.

Expect it to take up to 5 hours.

INTERMEDIATE GRADE OPTION:

Head up to Fosters Clearing and then back the same way you came. It'll take about 2-3 hours.

AVOID IN THE WET!! The track has a clay surface.

Blue Moon Lodge can organise shuttles (http://www.bluemoonhavelock.co.nz/)

Access Info

Blenheim side:

Turn off State Highway 6 on to Northbank Road, 6km north of Renwick (16km from Blenheim). Follow Northbank Road for 5km, then Onamalutu Road for 11km, past Onamalutu Domain, to Flowers Creek ford. A final 5km up Kiwi Road leads to the car park at the start of the track. Road access is also possible from Bartletts Valley. This route to the track is longer and recommended for 4WD vehicles only.

Havelock side:

Access to the track is via a road from Canvastown, 9km west of Havelock on the Nelson–Blenheim Highway. The road leads 15km up the Wakamarina Valley to Butchers Flat car park. A road suitable for 4WD vehicles only continues a further 1.5km to a small car park just before Doom Creek.