The Old Whakanui Track offers an alternative route to ascend a ridge and links to the present Whakanui Track.
The former Whakanui Track had its origin as a Māori track. Today it aligns with part of the Nikau Creek Track, but it branches off and ascends up the ridge behind Nikau Creek Valley. It eventually merges with the Whakanui Track, leading onward to the Orongorongo Valley. Differing in difficulty from the Whakanui Track, the old route is narrower and steeper and not well maintained.
The old track is not signposted, and is somewhat hidden from view. Sometimes a pile of stones is erected to mark the entrance off Nikau Creek Track, but it seems that these stones are removed from time to time, perhaps by staff who maintain the baiting traps located here. The track’s entrance is situated 547 meters along Nikau Creek Track from the signpost found at the junction of Gums Loop Track.
By combining the old and new Whakanui tracks, you can create a challenging loop walk. You would need to include Gums Loop Walk, part of Nikau Creek Track, and also walk the old section of the Whakanui Track located behind Sunny Grove to bridge the gap.
Special thanks to Lance Stewart for sharing the track’s location and its distance from the entrance to Nikau Creek Track.
