Altitude: 377m to 619m. Gain: 276m. Loss: 518m . Gradient: 4 deg (Gentle)
Skills:
If you walk this track south to north, the signs say ‘keep to the track, no unauthorized access to the land west of the track’. If you walk it north to south, they say ‘no unauthorized access’, period. The land is PNCC owned, and part of their water catchment area. The road forms the boundary of this area, hence the confusion over whether it is in or out of the restrictions. Either way, I’ve met quite a few people up there, mainly mountain bikers, so either a) permits are readily given, or b) no-one bothers.
There’s not much to say about the walk along South Range road. The road is a rough 2WD-standard road for all of it's length. It is a slow, steady descent, with a few twists, climbs and falls over several knobs and saddles. There are good views over Palmerston and the Tararua District, but after 2.5 hrs they get old. The surrounding vegetation starts regenerating scrub – the area has clearly been logged in the past, and transitions to pine blocks as you head north.