Westport cycle trail clears hurdle

A proposed 60-kilometre track behind the hills north of Westport is one of 13 to clear the first hurdle in the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project. EMILY COOPER talks to one of the men behind the development of this ghostly track.

"Traversing the Old Ghost Rd will be like reading a historic novel, except with a higher calorie burn rate," proclaims a media release from the Mokihinui- Lyell Backcountry Trust, which was formed in early 2008 to explore the idea of reviving the road as a track.

"You don't even have to leave the track to connect with a major part of the region's history. Much of the heritage is just there, lying where it was abandoned more than a century ago."

Phil Rossiter, spokesman for the trust, says the Old Ghost Rd will be a multi- purpose track stretching from Seddonville to Lyell, through the Mokihinui River South Branch. Eventually, it is hoped the track will be a 140- kilometre circuit.

With a rich history, half the track already exists, because of the determination of early goldminers, who hand-dug access from the northern to the southern end of Old Ghost Rd. The vision of miners to connect the Lyell and Mokihinui goldfields came to an end along with the end of the gold rush, and the middle area remained road-less.

The trust, a group of West Coast volunteers, came up with the name the "Old Ghost Rd", because of the rich heritage and history, much of which includes tales of spirits and ghosts of miners who died there.

Visitors will be able to experience the story of the Coast's goldmining heritage. Four ghost towns lie along the path - Seatonville, Zalatown, Gibbstown and Lyell - which helps to set this ghostly character for visitors.

Rossiter says there have been a few eerie experiences along the track "that make the hairs on your neck stand up.

"I've spent nights there. You can't help but be touched by the fact that things are still there that were left more than 100 years ago.

"There are stories of accidents and illnesses. I've got nothing but respect for what they achieved and the hardship they endured."

Entering the track, at either Seddonville or Lyell, near Inangahua, visitors have a wide range of exciting things to look at. Side tracks lead to abandoned mines, alpine tops, limestone formations, and even natural water slides that lead to swimming holes. The Mokihinui River South Branch is premier brown-trout country, with excellent fishing rivers.

In February, the track was confirmed as a potential great ride as part of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project, which is a Government initiative designed to deliver a national asset, enhance New Zealand's reputation as a premium tourist destination, and create sustainable economic benefit.

The track was judged as one of 13 "standout winners" out of 54 applications, and Rossiter says the trust was thrilled that Nga Haerenga endorsed their vision. "To receive such positive feedback from the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project team and to have the opportunity to further evaluate and develop the Old Ghost Rd concept was a very exciting moment for us," Rossiter said.

There are also plans for huts along the track, four to five hours apart. Sunny spots with great views have been chosen and the plans stay true to 19th-century heritage.

Department of Conservation area manager Bob Dickson said: "Working alongside the Mokihinui- Lyell Backcountry Trust has provided an opportunity to showcase one of New Zealand's most intact heritage hard-rock mining sites."

The trust believes the track will appeal to mountainbikers, trampers, wilderness seekers, trout anglers and even those wanting an easy walk or bike to enjoy the scenery.

The track will also be used for cycling, running and multisport races, with an aim to provide a world-class destination mountainbiking route.

The Mokihinui River North branch offers excellent white-water rafting and kayaking rivers.

The trust is currently working on restoring the north and south sections of the track, which have been neglected over the decades. The middle section is where most of the work will be undertaken, because there is no current track. A wide shared track will be put in, to accommodate both bikers and trampers.

Along with the excellent outdoor experience, visitors to the track can also experience some of the best flora and fauna New Zealand has to offer. Many New Zealand birds can be seen and heard along the track, including whio, New Zealand falcons, parakeet, tui and bellbirds. At night, kiwi may be heard, and kea and kaka during the day.

The track will take about four full days and allow users to experience the Glasgow Range that can only be viewed through the backcountry of the Old Ghost Rd Track.

The trust aims to create a recreational resource "that will inspire generations of New Zealanders to a heightened relationship with the wild through a unique blend of multi-sport infrastructure, stewardship opportunities and heritage storytelling".

The trust also believes the track will provide the people of the West Coast region with an incomparable recreational and heritage amenity.

Buller District Mayor Pat McManus is positive about the track.

"The Old Ghost Rd project is a shining example of a community-led initiative to showcase what makes the Buller District so special. It is more than just a cycle track. It is a unique blend of recreation, heritage and stunning scenery.

"This is exactly the sort of project we need to encourage visitors to our district in order to experience all the Buller has to offer."

Westport is perfectly positioned as the track's hometown and is a convenient 45-minute drive to either trail head.

The Lyell trail head is four hours from Christchurch and two hours from Nelson, with public transport in place for both.

The Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust will be working through processes in the next few months to get the building of the track and huts on track, while the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project will put the track through feasibility studies and look at costs for its inclusion in the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

- © Fairfax NZ News