Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve: Circle Loop Track: 14 October 2021

 ...some rougher fare at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve...

After completing the Tawa Walk I headed over the Pelorus River Bridge to walk a track on the far side of the river. This was the Circle Loop Track which starts from SH6 and heads inland along old river terraces for a couple of kilometres. It then heads back to the Rai River Bridge and then to SH6 once again.

Crossing Pelorus Bridge at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The Circle Loop Track is a lot rougher than the front country Tawa Walk...it is a basic bush track with muddy areas, roots, fallen trees, climbs and slippery descents. It sees less visitors so if you are going around this track solo for pity's sake take some gear with you as you might be on your own for hours or days if something happens. 

At a minimum a warm top, jacket, water and communication device....

Looking down on the Pelorus River from the bridge

Part of the Circle Loop Track is actually a section of the Te Araroa Trail between Havelock and Pelorus Bridge. This was the first TA section I have walked along since 2019 as my plans for the 2020/2021 TA season were scuppered by the Covid lockdown. 

On the Circle Loop Track:

The Circle Loop Track is located on the northern side of the Pelorus River right next to that end of the bridge. It is approximately three kilometres and will take you from 45 minutes to one hour to complete. It is less visited than the walks near the café and as such they are rough bush track after the Rai River bridge.  

Start of the Circle Loop Track on SH6 at Pelorus Bridge

Map: track network at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Heading along the start of the Circle Loop Track

The first point of interest along the track is a nicely located lookout about 100 meters along the track. From here you have some great views of the Pelorus River downstream from the bridge. I could see a number of people down by the side of the river and there is a nice rocky beach there so you can get close to the water. The Pelorus is a vivid blue-green color...it kind of reminds me of the Hokitika Gorge and Blue Pools. 

Lookout point on the Circle Loop Track

Pelorus River from the Circle Loop Track lookout

In summer the Pelorus is a beautiful swimming spot as the water warms up traveling down from the Richmond Range. There is one farm up river from the Pelorus Bridge Reserve but it is a sheep station which are less polluting of the aquatic environment.

Is it safe to swim in?

Probably but you should still look at the Marlborough/Tasman District websites to see how clean the water in the catchment is.

...deep, clear water in the Pelorus River...good swimming!!!

From the lookout you can see down the Pelorus River

From the lookout you continue along a good quality track to the bridge over the Rai River about 400 meters along the track. This part of the Circle Loop is flat gravel so if you wanted to you could walk down to the bridge and return as an easy short walk. The view from the suspension bridge would be worth the effort...

Benched track enroute to the Rai River Bridge, Circle Loop Track

The Circle Loop Track is cool and shady...

...the forest runs to the edge of the Circle Loop Track...

The Rai River is a tributary of the Pelorus and flows into the main river downstream from the Pelorus Bridge. It is a significant river in its own right and the bridge is a necessity or you would not be able to cross it safely. 

First view of the Rai River Suspension Bridge

The Rai River Suspension Bridge is about 80 meters across and sits about 15 meters above the water level of the Rai River. You can see both ways along the Rai River from the bridge and like the Pelorus it is a vivid blue-green colour. It is a very attractive river and there are tracks from both ends of the bridge down to the side of the river. 

Crossing the Rai River bridge...Pelorus River Scenic Reserve

View of Rai River downstream from the bridge

View of Rai River upstream from the bridge

Looking back over the Rai River Bridge

On the far side of the river there are two paths you can follow...as the Circle Loop Track is actually a loop you can go either way. The left hand track climbs up onto some old river terraces and heads along to a junction with Daltons Track. This section is a part of the Te Araroa Trail and from the eastern end of the track it continues over farmland and along back roads to Havelock about 20 kilometers distant.

Daltons Bridge Track goes to the left (on the Te Aroaroa Trail)

...the steps lead up to an old river terrace...Daltons Track

The right hand track skirts along the top of the true left bank of the Pelorus River for about a kilometer before heading slightly away from the river to join with Daltons Track at the track junction. I decided to walk along the right hand track so that I was walking the TA section in a NOBO direction. 

Circle Loop Track is to the right....

Much rougher track along the Circle Loop Track

The track runs along the edge of the river...Circle Loop Track

There are glimpses of the Pelorus River right along this track and at several places there are lookouts where you can see the full river below you. It is about 40 meters down quite a steep slope so there is no access to the river anywhere along this track. 

About 200 meters along the track I came to a lookout where I could see the rocky beach that stretches away from the bridge just upstream. There I spied Mr Karate going through his training regime down on a rock. He was an older dude maybe in his late 50's and he was doing exercises with a fighting stick down on the beach. You can just see him in the photo below....

He wasn't any good but points for effort you numpty......

Mr Karate exercises next to the Pelorus River.....Waaa....chaaa!!!

...a real backcountry walk on the Circle Loop Track...

About 400 meters along the track you reach some stairs which climb up to an old river terrace...from there you are walking on the same level for the rest of the track around to the Daltons Track junction.

 

Stairs along the Circle Loop Track

...Circle Loop Track: heading up onto an old river terrace...

Travel along the track is easy but there are some muddy areas as well as roots and fallen trees over the track. At least it is pancake flat which is helpful....

The Pelorus River is off to the right of you...

Circle Loop Track...on the old terrace!!!

...the Circle Loop Track follows the terrace edge...

At one point you have a series of views down to and across the river to the old Totora Flat campsite. The campsite used to be excellent with lovely flat tent sites and easy access to the river and I stayed here a number of times back in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Unfortunately it is prone to sudden flooding when it rains in the Richmond Range so DOC have turned it into a daytime picnic area only. 

View of the Pelorus River from the Circle Loop Track

Pelorus River upstream of Totora Flat picnic area

Even as a picnic site it is awesome as there is a wider section of the river near here which is safe to swim in. There are some small bluffs here about 5-10 meters above the river and it is usually safe to jump off them into the river. Check before you do so though as the level of the river can vary quite dramatically...

Totora Flat...you can jump into the river from the bank...

This would be an awesome spot to stop on the way to Nelson for some a lunch and an opportunity to cool off before continuing on your way. Look for the turn off just before you get to Pelorus Bridge on SH6...

Totora Flat used to be a great campsite....

There was a nice grove of mature Rimu trees just past the viewpoint over to the Totora Flat picnic site...they make up the majority of the trees in that area. I love Rimu trees as they are a very attractive species...lovely trunk shape, fine needle like leaves and flaky bark...

Grove of Rimu along the Circle Loop Track

Circle Loop Track...downstream of Totora Flat

The forest on this side of the river is slightly different than near the Tawa Walk with more Beech trees and less of the Podocarp species like Totora, Rimu, Kahikatea etc. The most numerous are Mountain Beech and Black Beech but there are also some stonking examples of Red Beech. 

A large Red Beech next to the Circle Loop Track

 Red Beech are massive trees with beautiful straight trunks and big examples can be 40+ meters tall. Some of the Red Beech in this end of the forest are three meters around the trunk so they will be over 500-600 years old. 

Looking up into the canopy of the Red Beech

You amble through the forest for a couple of hundred meters to the junction with Daltons Track enjoying the solitude of  this quiet track. I could hear a couple of Kaka calling to each other...I love Kaka but their call is not attractive as it consists of a series of hard clacks, creaks and squeals. A raucous cacophony would be the best description...

There are plenty of other birds in the area including Fantails, Bellbirds, Tui and Wood Pigeons. 

Circle Loop Track...downstream of Totora Flat

Circle Loop Track...the forest is more open past Totora Flat

There is one last view of the Pelorus River and the eastern edge of Pelorus Scenic Reserve before you turn inland and away from the edge of the river. From here the Pelorus River flows down the valley past farmland to Pelorus Sound and out into the ocean...

Edge of Pelorus Bridge Reserve on the far bank...

Walking in the sun along Circle Loop Track

Daltons Track heads off to the right here...

It took me about 25 minutes to walk down to the Daltons Track junction from the start of the Circle Loop Track on SH6. You might take less time as I was taking photographs and filming videos as I walked along. At the track junction you can turn right to head along the Te Araroa Trail route to Havelock or continue straight ahead to keep walking along the Circle Loop Track. 

Junction of Circle Loop Track and Daltons Track, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The Circle Loop track heads uphill....

From this point you are actually walking along the route of the Te Araroa Trail from Havelock to Pelorus Bridge. The Te Araroa Trail or TA is a 3200 kilometre long trail from Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. It is the world famous long walk here in New Zealand and is now on the radar of people from across the world.  

Edge of Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve on the TA route...

From here it is farmland and road waking to Havelock

For a TA trekker the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is sandwiched between Richmond Forest Park and the road walk from the Queen Charlotte Track. The forest here is a taste of what awaits you over the next couple of weeks in the Richmond Range and Nelson Lakes NP. You will be walking through Beech forest from here to Arthurs Pass.

First trail marker...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Heading further into Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The TA route follows the Circle Loop Track from here to the Pelorus River bridge...there are two branches which make up this walk. You can follow either path as both lead back to SH6. I followed the right hand or up hill route as I know this quickly levels out into a nice flat forest walk to the Rai River bridge. 

On the Circle Loop Track, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Following the right branch of the Circle Loop Track...

There are a mixture of different Beech species in this forest with the largest being Red Beech. One of the Red Beech had fallen over a couple of hundred meters up the track and you could see just how big these trees are. The amount of detritus on the forest floor from the one tree was enormous..

Fallen tree along the Circle Loop Track...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

...there is a lot of timber there...

The track meanders through the forest for about 600 meters...it is rough and ill defined but just follow the orange track markers and you will not get lost...

On the Circle Loop Track heading for Pelorus Bridge

There is an active pest trapping program at work in this reserve and you could see trapline marking and traps right along the course of the walk. Traps are denoted by either coloured tape of triangles and if you see tape tied to a tree there will be a trap close by. 

Trapping line marking on the Circle Loop Track

...the tape denotes a trapline...

...here is the trap at the end of the trapline marking...

Mature Red Beech along the Circle Loop Track

You will eventually reach a set of stairs that lead down to the approaches to the suspension bridge over the Rai River. 

Stairs led to the Te Araroa Trail....and Daltons Bridge

Suspension Bridge over Rai River...Te Araroa Trail

The Rai River is a moderately sized waterway that feeds into the Pelorus River just down from the Pelorus River Bridge. It was high on the day I visited as it had been raining for the proceeding couple of days...

Rai River suspension bridge...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Rai River from the suspension bridge...Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

After the Rai River there is just 300 meters till you reach SH6 once again and the end of your short walk. There are glimpses of the Pelorus River as you tramp and a nearby lookout point gives good views down to the river itself. 

On the Circle Loop Track, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Pelorus River from a lookout on the Circle Loop Track

Jon on the Circle Loop Track near the lookout...

Just past the lookout you get your first view of the Pelorus River Bridge...you are close to the road and the noise of traffic using this main highway grows louder and louder. When you start out on the Te Aroroa the next day you will be walking up Maungatapu Road which is directly opposite the Circle Loop Track entrance...

First view of the Pelorus River Bridge....

Back at SH6 at Pelorus Bridge, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The end of the Havelock to Pelorus TA section...

The Pelorus Bridge was built way back in the 1930's and has been in constant use ever since. There have been several plans to replace it with a two lane structure as it is on the main highway from Nelson to Blenheim but you are looking at several billions of dollars and an awful lot of hassle. It keeps getting put in the 'too hard' basket...

Pelorus Bridge, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The Kahikatea campsite is on the opposite side of the river...

If you are staying at Pelorus Bridge for the night and it is warm then go for a swim in the river. I have been in here several times over the years and it is awesome in the middle of summer. Obviously, it is hideously cold over winter and dangerous in flood so consider that before jumping in...use some common sense.

Please do not jump off the bridge...several people have died that way. 

Downstream view of the Pelorus River, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The main DOC office and a café are on the opposite side of the bridge so you will need to head over to get yourself a campsite for the night. Be aware that this is a favored Kiwi Christmas and New Year holiday spot so it pays to pre-book if you possibly can. 

The café does a nice cup of lifers juice...

Entrance to the café and DOC office at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Kahikatea Campsite at the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Another excellent short walk and slightly more interesting as it is a proper backcountry track so it is a bit rougher and less groomed. Walking one or the other of these tracks is to be recommended just be aware that the Circle Loop Track is more remote and a lot rougher than the Tawa Walk. From here I jumped back in the car and continued on my way to Motueka...

Just a note...we have just found out there are community cases of Covid here in Christchurch so it is highly likely we will go into a lockdown shortly. Just in case you don't hear from me for a while...

Access: Circle Loop Track starts from the northern end of the Pelorus Bridge. The reserve is 20 km north-west of Havelock and is clearly signposted from SH6 between Blenheim and Nelson.
Track Times: Circle Loop Track is approximately 4 kilometers or 45 minutes to 1-hour walking time return.
Miscellaneous: This is a moderately easy tramping track with all streams bridged and a decent track. There are areas of mud and some small hills to climb. The last section of the track is a part of the Te Araroa Trail. There is an excellent café at the reserve with public toilets nearby. Kahikatea Campground is next to the track and can be pre-booked on the DOC campsite booking site.

YouTube link: Circle Loop Track, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve