Linderman Loop - in the historic Kaimais
At the top of Lindeman Road is a hygiene station, to help stop the spread of kauri die-back disease. This is where the track begins. Passing through the station, there is a junction in about 40 metres.
The easiest option is to the right, up the old pack track. The left option, up the ridge track, is steeper with lots of steps, but leaves the gentle pack track for the return journey. We chose to go left.
We crossed several small streams, scrambled up slippery banks, aided by twisted roots, and climbed many steps. Little cascades trickled down mossy banks, and liverwort grew at the track edges.
We passed an enormous kauri log just lying rotting, but quite impressive in its sheer size.
As the track climbed, we were walking at the level of many tree tops, the most beautiful being the pungas.
Because the area was extensively logged, most of the bush is regrowth, with areas of young kauri. Recently gravel paths have been built around these trees to protect their roots.
Every few steps we discovered fungi of all shapes, sizes and colours. They were really amazing.
Just after the junction with the track to Cashmores Clearing, we came across the remains of an old
kauri kam – so sad that so little is left, to show the industry of a by-gone era. There is also the remains of a water race that was built to collect water for the dam.
Continuing on, we climbed very old steps up from the dam, then wandered on down the pack track – a gradual descent with nice views over the coastline and off shore islands.
After several breaks and lots of photo stops we were back to the cars in less than five hours.
Lindeman Loop is a beautiful, easily accessible and clearly marked track with enough historical remains, varying track and lovely bush to make it really interesting.