Distance: 1.7 km (0.5 DOC hours) - Benched track - Easy terrain
Altitude: 205m to 363m. Gain: 204m. Loss: 50m . Gradient: 8 deg (Gentle)
Skills:

Benched track (3/9)
Benched, maintained, marked tramping track or pack-track

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Easy (difficulty: 1/5)
Grass / prepared surface

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Above the Ferny Gully Track turnoff, the Rata Ridge track climbs into mature bush at last. It is a broad track on a well defined spur, and easy , moderately gentle climb towards Lowry. Occasional pest-control track cuts off this section of track, marked with dots, and should be avoided unless that's really where you want to go.

After a short steeper section, you reach the summit of Lowry - nothing to see but bush - and descend a few meters NW to join the Main Ridge Track, where at last there are views down over the Wellington Harbour.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Main Ridge track, the turnoff to Mt Lowry and Rata Ridge track is signposted. Taking it and climbing briefly you reach the tree-covered summit, before descending onto Rata Ridge. The track is broad, well used and well maintained and easy to follow. The descent is steady - not steep as far as the signposted turnoff to Ferny Gully track, just before the bushedge.