Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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The magnificent curved viaduct

Ruapehu week – We step back in time on a railroad walk

March 12, 2012 by Ken Ross Leave a Comment

The annual Ruapehu stay
Ohakune Old Coach Road, March 12 2012

The weather forecaster got it right. It was raining. So we went down the mountain seeking some shelter at least.

We headed for the Ohakune Old Coach Road (OCR) – and no, Ohakune does not have an Official Cash Rate. It runs from Ohakune to Horopito along the route of the old coach road. No surprises there.

The magnificent curved viaduct

We didn’t do the through trip but settled for an in and out walk as far as the Hapuawhenua rail viaducts, starting from the Ohakune end. There are two. One is a magnificent tall, curved, riveted lattice iron structure no longer in service and the new one is also a magnificent tall, curved structure but of concrete. The old one has been made safe (OSH-proofed) as an historical monument and given Cat 1 status by the Historic Places Trust. It alone is well worth the walk in. The DoC website is also well worth a visit to get some views you can’t see by walking. Note the lack of vegetation at the time it was built.

Of the walk itself: Great. I particularly liked the gradients, being limited by the available horsepower when the original road was built. There were some views out over the adjacent farmland but on the whole we were walking through lush native bush, mature shrubs and tall trees. You could almost imagine horse-drawn coaches coming towards you along the broad track with overhanging trees. The original rough flagstones are still present, particularly on the steeper bends.

We investigated a disused rail tunnel which – like the viaducts – was curved, thus adding to the experience. Why the curves? It was rugged country in which to build a rail line. The information boards provided along the track were interesting but the one at the viaduct was particularly so. It showed the primitive conditions for the workmen and the hardships they endured while building the original viaduct back in 1907/8.

Unlike the bridge builders, we were able to retreat to the comfort of dry clothes and then hot coffee at an Ohakune café. Yes, we had had a good day; not badly impacted by the weather and definitely more laid back than our first two days on the mountain.

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About us

We are a group of like-minded people who love the great outdoors. We tramp mostly in the Hawke’s Bay province, in remote areas such as the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges; but we also travel longer distances to new places, for longer walks.

The Napier Tramping Club was established in 1974 and has about 70 members. We belong to the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ Inc (FMC) and run Saturday, full-weekend and Wednesday tramps, every fortnight.

Interested in joining us?

Enjoy the great outdoors, keep fit and get to know others with similar interests.

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Latest news

September 2023 News

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Latest trip

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Useful links

  • Dept of Conservation
  • DoC Huts Use, Kaweka Forest Park
  • Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC)
  • Heretaunga Tramping Club
  • New Zealand Tramper
  • NZ Walking Access Commission
  • Wanganui Tramping Club

Useful links 2

  • Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society
  • Weather forecast

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