Hanmer Adventures: 3 of 3: Woodland Walk/Dog Stream/Forest Amble, 22 September 2020

 More forest adventures in Hanmer Springs

One of the other walks we did while in Hanmer was the Woodland Walk on the northern side of Jollies Pass Road. This is a great track around Dog Stream to a set of ponds on the edge of Hanmer Forest Park. As with all the other tracks it starts at the carpark next to the Hanmer Scout Den and ends at the same location.

The Hanmer Springs Scout Den, Hanmer Forest Park

There are several walks on this side of the road including the Majuba Track to the top of Conical Hill and the Dog Stream Waterfall Track on the flank of Mt Isobel. They are also developing a couple of new MTB tracks in the cut over section of the forest and down towards Jollies Pass.

Map: Hanmer Forest: Woodland Walk/Dog Stream/Forest Amble circuit

The track follows Jollies Pass Road down towards the bridge over Dog Stream before turning in towards the Mt Isobel massif. It is a well shaded section with some mature pines blocking most of the sun. This is a great walk on a hot sunny day as it is shaded by trees for most of its length. 

On the start of the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

Heading down to Dog Stream on the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

When you get to Dog Stream you cross over the Lower Dog Stream bridge and follow the sign posted track up hill to a large clearing where the duck ponds sit next to a large grassy clearing. 

The Lower Dog Stream Bridge, Hanmer Forest Park

Hanmer Forest Park: On the Lower Dog Stream bridge

Creek feeding into Dog Stream, Hanmer Forest Park

The track has had some work done to it recently so it is in excellent condition and is easy walking for people with even a limit level of fitness. The clearing on this side of Jollies Pass Road is surrounded by examples of all of the tree species that are currently growing in Hanmer Forest. In effect it is an index file and it is interesting to see just how many different tree species they have planted here. 

On the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

Sign for the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

Clearing on the Woodland Walk, Conical Peak to left

The duck pond on the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

Mt Isobel from the Woodland Walk

The duck ponds are resident to several types of waterfowl...we saw some Mallards, Swans, Canadian Geese and Scaup. You will occasionally see Heron her as well. There are a lot of native birds in the area probably drawn by the profusion of bugs around the water. We had a couple of Fantails following us along the track but I have also seen Tui, Keruru and Belbirds around here. 

The pond on the Woodland Walk is fringed with forest

Swamp at the head of the Woodland Walk pond

Karen on the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

At the far end of the ponds is the Majuba Track which heads off up the eastern side of Conical Hill. For the history buffs out there Majuba was the location of a bloody battle in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. This area was just being developed around the time of the Boer War and you will find many reminders in the name of local features, street names and locations through the Hanmer Basin. 

If you go visit the Hanmer cemetery down at the end of Jollies Pass Road you will find several graves of local men who went off to fight and never came back. 

The Majuba Walk to Conical Hill, Woodland Walk

Into forest along the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

Track marker along the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

The next section of the Woodland Walk is through a stand of Redwood Trees planted here in the early 1900's. Redwood Trees live for over 600 years so these are just infants really but even so they are imposing in size and shape. I like Redwood stands as they are so open and airy and allow a lot of sunshine to penetrate to the forest floor. 

In a stand of Redwood Trees on the Woodland Walk

Sign in the Redwood stand, Woodland Walk, 

View of a California Redwood, Woodland Walk

Next to the Redwoods is a stand of mature Pinus Radiata trees followed by some Fir trees. These were planted in the 1920's so they are past their prime now but both are types of trees well represented in commercial forests right across New Zealand. Both Pines and Fir tree grow well here but trial plantings by the old Forestry Service showed that Radiata Pines were the best choice for this country.

In a Pinus Radiata stand on the Woodland Walk

Fir Trees on the Woodland Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

There is a curiosity in this stand of Fir trees...an Antarctic Beech or Nirre. Obviously trees don't grow in Antarctica but they once did and this species come from Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. This deciduous beech grows in both Chile and Argentina which are the two countries at the end of the Americas. Examples exist on Hornos Island less than 1000 kilometers from the Antarctic mainland...the southern most trees in the world. 

Sign for the Antarctic Beech, Woodland Walk

From here you descend down to the Upper Dog Stream bridge which crosses the river close to the Hanmer Scout Den. The bridge is high above the water and spans a small gorge cut down into the surrounding land by the river. 

Heading down to the Upper Dog Stream Bridge, Hanmer Forest Park

The bed of Dog Stream is clogged with Willow Trees but it looked like someone is cutting them out as there are many trunks along the river and big piles of cut branches. Because I am a massive child we played Pooh Stix's off the bridge...

The Upper Dog Stream Bridge, Hanmer Forest Park

Dog Stream is clogged with willows....

On the Upper Dog Stream Bridge, Hanmer Forest Park

Picnic area to the rear of the Hanmer Scout Den, Hanmer Forest Park

From here you can just walk up the access road to the carpark but we decided to keep walking as we had only been walking for 20 minutes at this point. We walked down the access road to the picnic areas along Dog Stream and continued on through to the road bridge over Dog Stream. 

On the road to the lower Dog Stream Bridge, Hanmer Forest Park

Plenty of picnic areas around the Hanmer Scout Den, Hanmer Forest Park

You can just walk up the hill and back to the carpark from here but if you want to keep going as we did then you can go under the road bridge and join the Dog Stream Track.

Approaching the Lower Dog Stream Bridge, Hanmer Forest Park

Jollies Pass Road crosses the Dog Stream....

The Dog Stream Track runs from Jollies Pass Road along the side of Dog Stream and right down to a side track back into Hanmer off Bath Street. Be careful when walking this track as it is a dual MTB/Walking track and bike riders come hurling down this track all the time. There are tracks on both banks of the stream with several shallow crossing points but no bridges until you reach the far end. 

On the Dog Stream Track, Hanmer Forest Park

Dog Stream Track is lined with Willows and Silver Beech..

There are several points along here where you can go back into Hanmer Forest and join the Forest Walk track but we walked right down to the end of Dog Stream Track before heading back. The walk from Jollies Pass Road to Mansfield Road takes about 20 minutes. 

Track up to the Hanmer Forest Walks from Dog Stream

The Dog Stream Track is dual use...walking and MTB...

We turned back into Hanmer Forest at the junction with Mansfield Road...there is a nice picnic area at the junction with some play equipment, a BMX track and a couple of picnic tables.

Dog Stream Track-Mansfield Road Junction, Hanmer Forest Park

A picnic area near the Dog Stream-Mansfield Road Junction

 We followed the gravel Mansfield Road for 10 minutes to where it rejoins the Forest Walk track. The track heads back north along the western side of the forest to a point where it meets the Forest Amble. You can continue back to the car park on either track but we decided to follow the Forest Amble as there are some new art objects on this track. 

On Mansfield Road heading for the Forest Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

Hanmer Forest Park: Mansfield Road.....

Hanmer Forest Park: Start of the Forest Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

Sun light filters onto the Forest Walk Track

A bridge along the Forest Walk Track, Hanmer Forest Park

Silver Beech and Fir trees along the Forest Walk

There are some track works being undertaken in the forest...gravel is being laid on the tracks to improve their quality and some feeder tracks are being constructed for the MTB tracks. There was a team of people working on these feeder tracks...some of the 'shovel ready' make work projects the government has initiated to help Covid related job losses. 

It makes sense to utilize the massive numbers of people affected by Covid 19 in these projects...it gives them a job and helps the longer term sustainability of our main export...our natural world. A double win in my opinion...

New Track construction along the Forest Walk, Hanmer Forest Park

We headed along the Forest Amble for the last 20 minutes walk back to the car park...

On the Forest Amble Track, Hanmer Forest Park

Typical dense undergrowth in Hanmer Forest Park

There are several new art carvings on this section of track the first was this set of toadstools in a small clearing....There is a bench seat here which would make a nice spot to sit and listen to the forest...Karen thought it would a fine spot to sit with a flask of tea and read a book. It is lovely with the sound of the wind blowing through the trees and the distant call of various birds.

More Object d'arte on the Forest Amble...

A bench along the Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

We came upon a new clearing on the Forest Amble track as we made our way back to the car. The trustees of the Hanmer Forest have removed a stand of old Larch Trees as a safety measure after a wind fall incident. Many of the plantings in this forest are over 100 years old now so the trees are past maturity. As they get older the trees become dangerous as a big wind event can start a domino effect...one falling tree can take out a significant area of forest. Obviously you dont want to be under the trees when this happens...

They have replanted Redwood in this location which is awesome as they can live for over 600 years and they will eventually fill this clearing. You are liable to see more of this type of renewal in the park as other tree stands are removed to keep people safe. In particular many of the Adlers, Firs and the lovely Macrocarpa trees are now past their prime. It is sad to see them go but even a forest has a life cycle of birth through maturity to decline....

Information about a new clearing along the Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

Area of removed Larch Trees, Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

Newly planted Redwood Tree, Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

There is a brand new carving in the art collection just past the new forest clearing. It is an exquisite carving of a Tuatara that was only unveiled a month ago. It is really well done...great detail and full of life. Im pleased that they continue to add art objects to this collection as it really enhances the appeal of a walk through the forest.

A new carving on the Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

Detail of the lizard carving, Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

Well executed carving on the Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

From the new carving it is a short 10 minute walk back out to Herdman's Road and the entrance to Hanmer Forest Park. The Forest Amble is the easiest of the walks in the forest but it still has many interesting features...I especially like the play of light and dark with the sunlight shining through the trees. 

On the Forest Amble Track, late afternoon...

Herdman's Road at the end of the Forest Amble, Hanmer Forest Park

We soon found ourselves back at the Jollies Pass Road and made out way back over to the car. We had a walk around the Scout Den located there and found a new addition to the park facilities. The local Regional Council have installed a MTB service point and cleaning station next to the Scout Den. 

Hanmer Forest Park: the Jollies Pass Road carpark

There are a couple of service posts with tools attached to bungy cords so you can do last minute repairs to your bike before you head into the forest. There is a hand pump here for filling tires with both Standard and Schroder fitting.... 

MTB service point, Hanmer Forest Park

Detail of the MTB tools at the service point, Hanmer Forest Park

MTB service point, Hanmer Forest Park

More detail of the MTB service point, Hanmer Forest Park

There is also a rack where you can hang your bike and a high pressure hose and brushes so you can clean off all the mud. What a fantastic idea and one that could be rolled out right around the country. 

Good on the regional council....

Karen tries the MTB wash stand in Hanmer Forest Park

The Woodland Walk is a good walk for families with small kids...take some old bread and feed the ducks while you are there. When my kids were younger we often visited the ponds and it is just long enough to be interesting without wearing out small legs. Chuck some sticks off the Upper Dog Stream Bridge.....

For an added bonus try walking along the Dog Stream Track either as a longer journey or a means to get back into Hanmer from the forest tracks. Karen and I thought we might hire some MTB's in the village and come for a ride down here the next time we are in Hanmer. 

Hanmer Spring is one of my favorite places in New Zealand and I hope to be able to visit it for many more years to come. 

Access: Hanmer Springs is 135 kilometers north of Christchurch on SH 7 the Lewis Pass Highway. From Hanmer Springs Village head east out of town along Jollies Pass Road, the start of the various tracks are 2 km's out of town
Track Times: Woodland Walk is 30 minutes (1 km), The Dog Stream Track is 30 minutes (1 km), return along the Forest Walk and Forest Amble took 45 minutes (1km). Total time for this trip was 1.5 hours over 3+ kilometers
Miscellaneous: Toilets, water and map board located at the old Ranger Station/Park Headquarters car park on Jollies Pass Road. No toilet facilities in the forest itself. Stay on the marked tracks as people have got lost in this forest before. Some of these tracks are shared use so watch for MTB riders and horse trekkers.