Ngā Āra Tūhono i Raro

This route takes in the lower loop of phase I of the Te Āra Mangawhero trail that is part of the Ngā Āra Tūhono Mountains to Sea trail network.

Head up Mountain Road on the loosely formed trail road side, then look for the DOC sign marking the entrance to Mangawhero Forest Walkway on the left. Follow this trail, keeping right (there is a short loop track on the left).

About 1.8km in up the forest trail you come to a road and take it to the left continuing uphill. Follow this road past the Mangawhero Campsite until you come to a mountain bike gate in front of you, with the road bending to the right. Go through the gate, and onto the mountain bike path following it up the hill.

Continue up the mountain bike path until arriving at a T-intersection. The path continues straight ahead signposted for Turoa, but take the right signposted to Ohakune.

Following this path you will shortly come to a footbridge across the Mangawhero river and then beyond this to a crossing of Mountain Road (take care as there can be fast moving traffic here). Following the path here you keep left the whole way down - there are two points where the path forks to the right. The path right at the first of these forks crosses the road again and joins up with the road up to the Mangawhero Campsite, do not take this route. The second fork provides options, with the route as published for FKT purposes following the groomed mountain bike trail to the left but with the alternate option of linking up with the eastern section of the Mangawhero Forest Walkway to the right.

Following the mountain bike track down will bring you out to Mountain Road opposite the starting point, and cross the road to close the loop. (The alternate route down Mangawhero Forest Walkway will bring you to the road just up from the starting point).