Call to action
42 Traverse: lend a hand, people
The ‘Friends of 42 Traverse’ volunteer group works with the Department of Conservation to look after one of the North Island’s most epic off-road drives.
Annual working bees sort out erosion, overgrowth and other issues along the track’s length.
The ‘Friends’ will be at the track for the weekend working bee November 26-27. The call has gone out to 4WD owners for help with the work.
As in past years, the main effort will be on the Saturday with the option of continuing on the Sunday morning. Overnight accommodation options are still to be investigated. The use of chainsaws is not allowed under DOC health and safety rules. Brush cutters and pole saws can be used with suitable protective attire.
More information about the workshop is available by emailing the organisers at recreateby4x4@gmail.com
About the 42 Traverse:
The 42 Traverse is a twoway 46 km multi-use track through the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area. Named after the old State Forest 42 it traverses, this wilderness 4WD tracks and mtb ride follows old logging routes through a spectacular valley amidst regenerating native bush with epic views of the Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe volcanoes.
It presents challenging terrain through fantastic native forest and the awesome Canyon valley, with superb views back to the volcanoes of Tongariro
National Park.
The route, an old logging road that gets its name from the original ‘State Forest
42’, is popular for a range of outdoor recreation activities: mountain biking, quad and trail biking, 4WDing (summer only), horse riding, fishing, hunting and hiking.
Getting there: About 16 km along SH47 from National Park Village, turn into Kapoors Road. Follow this for about six km to the start of the track at the road end.
There are seasonal restrictions on 4WD access.
• Vehicle use is not permitted in the wetter months from 1 May – 30 November.
• The T42 mountain biking, running and walking event is held annually in early May.
• Dogs are allowed but for recreational hunting or management purposes only and only with a DOC permit.