The Hill Road Tracks.
Update: 14/11/11
Orange triangle markers now mark the track from the bottom of Major Drive, along the old Bridle track and through to 132 Hill Road.
based on Bill Stephensons description, expanded by Doug Flux
The track is also well marked with square pink markers on the trees from the confluence of the Belmont and Speedy's Streams right through to the Belmont stream. The track is used by Wellington Regional Council to control possums and they have bait stations along it labelled F15, F17 etc. don't touch, but the numbers are useful for orientation.
Start at the bottom of Major Drive, Kelson and follow the orange triangle markers up the valley and across Speedy's stream. Climb up to the old benched track and along to just above the confluence of the Belmont and Speedy's Streams. Cross the stream and immediately pick up the orange markers that follow the old bridle track which climbs gently to reach the ridge just north of the Pa site The track is benched into the side of the cliff and has vertical drops over the edge of up to 50 metres. Take care! Keep following the orange triangles at any junctions in the bait line tracks marked with pink squares. From bait station F17 a short climb goes up to a viewpoint with a 360 degree vista. (an unmarked track continues northwards to point 185 and to the pylon track) The track then drops steeply into a bushy gully, at bait station F15. Follow the orange markers down the gully towards the Belmont stream. Turn left off the bait line track following the orange triangle markers as the track sidles above the stream following it downstream on the true left, then cross the Belmont stream. Turn right at the next junction to go up to Hill Road (between 130 and 134). The track continuing down the stream goes for 100 metres to the swimming hole.
Track options:
1. Start from the first left hand bend in Hill Rd above Belmont Terrace (150 metres up from Belmont Tce). There is a steep track going down the spur, then it drops down to the right and just above the stream you will find the marked benched track.
2. From the confluence of the Belmont and Speedy's streams it is possible to go up the steep rocky spur, presumably now following the Pareraho track, to the plateau where the Pa was.
3. From Bait station F15 head up the gully following the pink markers, the track climbs steeply out of the gully to meet up with the pylon track which heads north to connect up with the Kilmister track in Belmont Regional Park which can be followed to the car park at the top of Hill Road.
4. The lower part of Belmont stream is nice to wander up with tall native trees including quite a few Nikau palms. You will get your feet wet!
5. Speedys stream is also nice to walk up. You will get your feet wet!
for more detail on the history of the tracks
View from the track towards Hill Road.
The Swimming hole.
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