Source: Department of Conservation

The Mangapurua, Kaiwhakauka, Bridge to Nowhere and Ohakune Old Coach Road tracks have been identified as part of the Ruapehu - Whanganui Trails Nga Ara Tuhono cycleway submitted to the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project – Nga Haerenga. This project is a partnership between Iwi, DOC, Ruapehu District Council and Whanganui District Council.

The Ohakune Old Coach Road section is nearing completion and will be officially opened on July 2  by the Prime Minister, the Honourable John Key. This 11km stretch of track follows the historic Old Coach road between what were the railheads of the main truck railway line before the line was finally completed in 1909. It offers a great family bike ride through some spectacular scenery, and link tracks to Hapuawhenua and Taonui viaducts offer great historic interest as well.

The Mangapurua (33 km) and Kaiwhakauka (17.5 km) tracks form a track system that is currently maintained as a tramping track. The Bridge to Nowhere track (2.7 km) is currently maintained as a walking track and provides access from the Whanganui River to the iconic Bridge to Nowhere. The tracks follow historic roads originally installed to service the two valleys that were settled as part of rehabilitation settlements where land was offered to returned soldiers following World War 1. The valleys are steeped in history and the Mangapurua Valley formed is one of the country’s largest managed historic area.
The remainder of the Ruapehu - Whanganui Trails Nga Ara Tuhono cycleway route largely follows public roads or the Whanganui River. No private land is currently involved in the route and will not be without landowner consent.

What work will be done and when will it take place?
The Ruapehu - Whanganui Trails Nga Ara Tuhono cycleway has begun construction during 2009/2010. The only sections where construction work is planned in 2009/2010 are the Old Coach Road near Ohakune and the Mangapurua Track. Construction of the Kaiwhakauka section will start in 2010/2011. As part of the upgrade it is also proposed to build three campsite shelters and associated facilities.

Stage 1 – Mangapurua section:
The track will be formed into grade where adventure cyclists and quad bikers (only as far as Bartrum’s Swing bridge) will be able to use this track. From the Ruatiti Road entrance, the track will be upgraded using excavators for the first 24.5 km’s. The remaining 8.5 km’s from Bartrum’s swing bridge to the Bridge to Nowhere will be upgraded using manual labour. There are significant bluff traverses on this lower section and cyclists will be asked to dismount and walk their bikes around these bluffs. The existing structures will also be upgraded. The twelve swing bridges will be widened and safety netting installed. There will be new timber bridges and the existing timber bridges with significant fall hazards will have handrails/barriers installed. This work is scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2010.

Stage 2 – Kaiwhakauka section:
This track will also be upgraded to a similar grade. Methodology is still yet to be determined but a majority of this track is accessible using machinery. There are areas where the track may need re-routing in order to gain a suitable gradient. The existing timber bridges with significant fall hazards will have handrails/barriers installed. The period of construction would begin in spring 2010 and a completion date likely to be April 2011.