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You can download the brochure for the Hakarimata Walking Tracks
This easy walk follows the route of the former Ngaruawahia/Glen Massey Railway. The railway was closed in the 1950s coinciding with the closure of the Glen Massey coal mine.
The trail is suitable for buggies, wheelchair assisted and bicycles.
Walking from the car park to the first bridge you pass a wetland restoration site which is part of the Perry Quarry complex. The trail follows Firewood Creek though area being replanted to a picnic site with toilets. From here, a short walk leads to attractive steam cascades. This is also the start of the southern section of the Hakarimata Walkway. Firewood Creek is a long-term native fish monitoring site and is vulnerable to disturbance. Please remain on the walkway and do not access the upper creek.
Future plans are to extend the trail along Firewood Creek to the site of the historic train crash of 1933.
On 28th March 1933, in wet conditions, a coal laden train and carriages careered away from Glen Massey shunting yard.
The driver stayed on to sound the whistle to alert people along the track and to see if he could gain control of the train, choosing not to jump off when he could.
After manoeuvring it at speed through much of the route the train jumped the bridge at Firewoods Creek and crashed into the stream. The carriages followed and landed on the engine killing the heroic driver instantly.
The new track will terminate at the remains of the wreckage of the locomotion.
1.5km, 30mins
Access the car park off Waingaro Road next to Perry's Quarry. Turn right just before the Firewood Creek road bridge. This easy walk follows the route of the former Ngaruawhaia/Glen Massey Railway. The railway was closed in the 1950s coinciding with the closure of the Glen Massey coal mine. The rail is suitable for buggies, wheelchair assisted and bicycles. Walking from the car park to the first bridge you pass a wetland restoration site which is part of the Perry Quarry complex. The trail follows Firewood Creek though area being replanted to a picnic site with toilets. From here, a short walk leads to attractive steam cascades. This is also the start of the southern section of the Hakarimata Walkway. Firewood Creek is a long-term native fish monitoring site and is vulnerable to disturbance. Please remain on the walkway and do not access the upper creek.
