Two lowland walks in Egmont National Park

it well signposted with orange arrows on the tree trunks along the way. There are patches of supplejack among the canopy hanging down waiting to entangle you in their clutching fingers and some scary looking goblin figures in different shapes to add to the thrill.

The eerie silence in the forest helps the imagination to wonder whether they may come to life. There were no bird sounds at all.

The track is narrow and steep the whole way up, rocky in places with ledges and boulders to either climb up or find your way around, tree trunks can be useful to hold onto as you manoeuvre around them.

Above left: In a goblin forest..

Above right: Entrance to Mangaoraka Parking area.

Middle left: A beautiful forest along the track.

Below left: Entrance to North Egmont National Park.

There are plenty of what I refer to as ‘natures steps’ the exposed tree roots that carpet the ground and are quite useful at times to use as such. There are also several unbridged streams flowing down into the dipped parts that fortunately were only shallow and could be crossed without much difficulty. Would be impassable after heavy rain.

The track all the way is dense forest and I was relieved to reach the top to the finish after fighting my way through the thick foliage. As you exit at the top and stop to catch your breath and congratulate yourself for achieving one of your goals you will be confronted by a sign stating “The

Ngatoro Loop Track”.

This track is a continuation from the main one I had just finished and is one of the many short loop tracks near the Egmont Visitor Centre for those who only wish to do short walks starting from the Visitor Centre.

It circles back to the visitor centre and takes up to an hour or less to complete. Once again it is very uneven up and down and again steep and rocky in places, if you are feeling fit and wanting to add to the adventure. I dismissed it and carried on to the visitor centre for a well earned rest and to devour my picnic lunch before setting off back down to my car.

On leaving the visitor centre to return to the Mangaoraka Carpark via the Ngatoro Track follow the track you used to get to the visitor centre at the bottom of the main carpark. Not far along once in the forest there is a signpost stating Mangaoraka Picnic Area. Take that track.

Above left: Signpost to take leading to the waterfall. Above right: The swing bridge.. Below left: View of river from swing bridge.. Below right: Steps down to the swing bridge.

It has an estimated time to reach the carpark. Going down of course is quicker but just as much care is needed as of course it is steep rough and uneven easy to slip and fall. The track is 4.7 ks each way.

It took me two hours 15 minutes on the uphill climb to reach the visitor centre and one hour 30 minutes to return to the carpark taking my time.

A walking pole or similar is most essential to help assist with the terrain as it is easy to lose your balance on this most uneven and steep ground but manageable if you are reasonably fit. I was however glad that I had put this amazing experience on my bucket list. I advise good quality footwear and socks.

If you wish to do this walk only one way you need to have transport to take you back to where your car is parked either at the Mangaoraka parking area or at the visitor centre, you can do this walk either way. You may be lucky enough to have someone drop you off and pick you up again. The Mangaoraka Car Park is a long way from the visitor centre.