Additions to cycle trail proposed

Riders race on the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail. PHOTO/ FILE

Nearly 55km of additions and improvements to the Ruapehu end of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail are being planned or consulted on.

Ruapehu District Council economic development manager Warren Furner said the goal was to take all the Great Rides from good to great, and the improvements wouldn't stop there.

"This is an on-going journey that will see continual enhancements and developments."

The proposed additions include 33kms of dual purpose cycling and walking trail within Tongariro National Park, in two separate pieces.

One is a 22km track from the Turoa ski area down the mountain to Ohakune. The other is an 11km addition to the Old Coach Rd between Ohakune and Horopito - turning it into a walking and cycling loop.

Another 21kms is the "missing link" between Horopito and National Park. It may need to include 600m within Tongariro National Park.

Any cycling within the park needs a partial plan change. The precedent for that was set when the Old Coach Road from Ohakune to Horopito was opened up for bicycles.

Consultation on allowing bicycles into two and possibly three other parts of the park is underway. Submissions on it closed on Friday.

An Ohakune 2000 sub-committee wants the new track from Turoa to Ohakune. It's needed for safety. At the moment cyclists and walkers share the narrow Ohakune Mountain Rd with vehicles.

The proposed 22km Te Ara Mangawhero would follow an existing walking track. If it goes ahead construction could start in 18 months, after design and consent.

The work would go out to tender, Mr Furner said. The total cost is estimated at $5 million.

Government is willing to put in $2 million, as part of the Accelerate25 Action Plan, for tourism growth. The rest of the money would come from a variety of sources - not from council, Mr Furner said.

The 11km loop extension to the Old Coach Rd would allow people to park their cars at either Horopito or Ohakune, and return to them on foot or bicycle. It would follow the old Bennet & Punch tramline over previously disturbed land, and it would be completely off road.

The "missing link" is the 21km from Horopito to National Park. Part of it will follow the old Marton Sash & Door tramway. It may include 600m within Tongariro National Park. The New Zealand Cycle Trail Extension Fund has been asked to finance it.

Visitor spending in Ruapehu has increased an average 12 per cent a year since the cycle trail opened, Mr Furner said. About 13,000 people a year use the high profile sections - especially the Old Coach Road - and 3000 to 4000 use remote sections like the Kaiwhakauka Track.