TRM tourist inmates often ask for more information on local walking trails along the Tongariro River. They have all tramped the Tongariro River Trail (TRT) many times in each direction, but to prevent their dog(s) getting bored they were looking for new interesting loop trails back to TRM. We fully understand as each day my elderly therapist (SWMBO) sends us off in a different direction for my workout with Juno who needs the variety too.

So these are a few for tourist inmates to tackle while their partners are away fishing. They are all easy peasy taking from one hour plus a bit more to allow for a rest halfway. This is not to take anything away from the TRT but just to provide some variety to show how much this place has to offer.

1 Kamahi Pool loop (About 90 – 100 minutes or 10,270 steps measured by the iPhone or 6.27 km from TRM according to the Apple watch – see how we are controlled by AI)

Warning – this is the only walk with 24 steps… From TRM via Te Aho Street and along the TRT, cross over the Koura Street swing bridge and head upriver over the Mangamawhitwhiti Stream bridge, past the Redwoods to where the TRT adjoins the farmland. Just after the trail climbs to a higher terrace beside the farm, look out for the gap on the right with 24 steps down to the fern glade on the lower terrace. (This adds to the pleasure for some elderly walkers as it is too steep and too many steps for bikers to run them over) This trail is worthwhile for the original native ferns, mature Manuka and bush scenery and noisy bird life alone. This is arguably the ‘prettiest’ scenic walk on the terrace above the Tongariro River. It leads upriver past the anglers’ access – see rope into “The Boulevard” pool to the Kamahi Pool. We last walked it on 2 September without seeing another person. Then return back up to the TRT and back.

2 Herekiekie Loop: (About 1 hour from TRM or 5,200 steps according to iPhone.)

Head downriver across the SH1 road bridge and across the park to the end of Herekiekie Street. Continue past the tourist seats on Wilson Park above the rock retaining wall to more seats and follow the track into the bush where keen residents have now formed a network of tracks. There are always anglers casting into the lower pools to entertain tourists. Warn the kids who will enjoy looking out for garden landscaping ornamental features including rabbits and sheep! These emerge to another picnic spot at the confluence of the bypass and circle around the bush walk linking with the stop bank which extends further upriver protecting Tongariro Lodge. Return back across to the main road bridge.

3 Waikari Loop: (About 1 hour 40 minutes, 9,800 steps or 5.77 km – allow plenty of time for photos of Tongariro River anglers)

Head upriver past the Koura Street swingbridge through the ‘tunnel’ and past the “Hydro Pool” to complete a lap of the Waikari Reserve to emerge at the back of the housing on Kutai Street. Return either on the TRT or via Taupahi Road. Photos from Wednesday morning showed eight anglers in Island Pool, four in Hydro Pool, so there is plenty of action to watch. The good news is the latter loop back along Taupahi Road has Creel Cafe on the home stretch. The bad news is the track winds up through regenerating bush, mainly Manuka, and the track is mushy where it cannot drain and mountain bikers have cut it up. (DOC please note more gravel needed asap)