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- Pelorus Circle Walk
Pelorus Circle Walk
| Location: Top of South Island |
| Nearest Town: 8 km south of Rai Valley |
| Nearest City: 54 km east of Nelson |
| Length of tramp: 2.1 km |
| Time needed: 45 minutes |
| Difficulty: Very easy |
| Route: Round trip |
| Elevation: 40m |
| Wet Feet: No |
| Toilets: Public toilets are located in the two car parks. |
| Dogs: No |
| Mobile phone coverage: No |
| Date this tramp was last walked: 2007 |
| Track quality: Excellent gravel track, wide, flat and very relaxing after a demanding drive. |
| Shops/restaurants: Just the Pelorus cafe. |
| Hazards: Crossing the road at Pelorus Bridge, this road is exceptionally busy in the summer months and on the weekends |
| Transport: Buses run through to Nelson and picton. |
| Water: Drinking water in the camping grounds and at the cafe. |
| Driving Instructions: Pelorus is on the main road to Nelson from Blenheim or the other way around. Pelorus is 55k east of Nelson and 51k west of Blenheim. Whichever way you drive, you will not miss Pelorus Bridge. First of all, there is a one way bridge to cross, plus there will be cars and people running all over the place, especially in the summer months and on the weekends. If you are driving to Nelson from Blenheim, turn left in the car park. The toilets are down the back and to the right of the cafe. |
| Camping on track: No camping inside the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve |
| Track highlights: Fresh crystal clear mountain streams to drink from. Trout can be spotted swimming sluggishly in the creeks. Walk though the tranquil sliver and mountain beech forests and listen to the native birds |
| Area & Track History: The valley was the site of a massacre of the Ngati Kuia and Ngati Apa tribes by the Maori chief Te Rauparaha, who came from the North Island coast, west of Wellington. The first Europeans to arrive in 1843 found a few remaining Maori people producing flax for Te Rauparaha. The original route to Nelson went through the reserve site and over the Maungatapu Saddle. Later, the path that the road follows today was discovered, and a bridge was built across the Pelorus River around 1860. The Pelorus Bridge location was set aside for a future township, but in the early 1900s this was changed to preserve the area's natural beauty. The present bridge was built in the 1950s. |
Map of Pelorus Circle Walk :
This is a dynamic map. You can zoom in and out using the "+" and "-" buttons, drag the map to see surrounding areas and click on the flags to see each position on the map
Detailed track description for
Pelorus Circle Walk:
Pelorus Circle Walk - Point 1
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Pelorus Circle Walk - Point 1At the other end of the bridge on the right, is the start of the track. You will notice the mountain beech trees lining both sides of the picturesque track. On this particular day, there was a thick carpet of gold and yellow beech tree leaves leading the way ahead, and the bright warm sun added the finishing touches to the walk.
Pelorus Circle Walk - Point 2
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7 minutes into the walk you will have to cross the Rai river swing bridge. If you can call it a swing bridge, the deck is made out of heavy wooden planks, and the wire rope is thicker then some peoples arms. This bridge is an extremely safe bridge to cross. Take the time to look down into the Rai River, we counted two rather edible rainbow trout waiting for the fry pan.
Pelorus Circle Walk - Point 3
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Across the other side of the bridge, the track branches off to the left and into the bush. Then runs along the river bank and comes out at the fork on your right. Walking along the left fork, you should reach the three sisters in about 4 Minutes.
Pelorus Circle Walk - Point 4
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On the return leg, you walk along the Pelorus river. The high rock banks stop you from walking down to the river edge. Your best bet is to walk back across Pelorus bridge, then turn left into the car park and follow the track for 3 Minutes down to the river.
