New Zealand Walk: Araheke Walk - meeting of the waters
Tucked away just three kms from New Plymouth is the very delightful rustic rural Araheke Walk which starts at the reserve of the Meeting of the Waters.
The first part of this walk is very scenic and as you follow the narrow path around the bank above the river you will be met by the spectacular sight of two rivers, the Mangorei and the Waiwhakaiho, meeting and forming into one gigantic roar as they flow down toward the sea.
Both rivers flow down from Mt Ta- ranaki but the Mangorei is situated more in the National Park region.
Following the path around the river you will come to an old wooden bridge on your left where the tailrace waters of the Mangorei Hydro Station rush underneath, flowing down to intermingle with the main flow.
Walk over this rustic bridge turn right and follow the fence line and track to where you will come to a gate and two wooden styles.
Both styles are rather high to climb over, ok if you have long legs (must have been built by a very tall guy) but the gate which is shut, is usually able to be opened as it is not latched, a better choice for those who have short legs.
Once through the gate on your right in the large tree lined paddock, is an old barbeque area but not recommend to be used in the winter months, as it is wet and smelly due to the weather and the fact that cattle at some stage have been standing in there leaving their delightful pats on the concrete floor.
Also on the right as you continue your walk you will also see the large area
of buildings and cabins belonging to Topec (Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre) that are utilised by the schools of Taranaki for taking part in different outdoor activities such as river rafting and other sports. Situated on the right on the other side of the Mangorei River behind Topec is the Hydro Station, an interesting walk if you wish to divert around the complex for a further look.
Keeping the river on your left is a short stroll through the delightful stand of trees and a view of the swing bridge, but as you near the end the path is strewn with small boulders making it difficult to walk over . Take care not to roll your ankle or miss your footing.
After having manoeuvred the boulders you will have reached the swing bridge on your left which incidentally wasn’t swinging when I walked over it. I found that rather disappointing to say the least.
Once over the swing bridge after you have stopped to admire the view below there is an attractive walk around a loop track well signed and which takes you through a forest of matai, rimu and kahikatea trees and over several boardwalks.
A pleasant round trip rewarded sometimes by different bird songs.
At one stage there were plans to make this walk wheelchair friendly but it never eventuated and there is no way