Experience the Deerford Track, Short Knights loop and the Makiekie Creek.

Getting there:
From Feilding, head out on Kimbolton Road. Continue up through Cheltenham and Kimbolton. Turn right onto Apiti Road just north of the village of Kimbolton. This becomes Oroua Valley Road before Apiti. Table Flat Road turns off to the right past Apiti. Follow this until you see the signpost for Limestone Road which veers to the right near the end of Table Flat Road. Wind along Limestone Road until you get to the DOC carpark at the end.


Deerford Track & Makiekie Creek:
From the carpark follow the route (marked with poles) across the farmland to the forest edge, and then continue down to cross Makiekie (Coal) Creek for the first time. Depending on the amount of rain you may end up with wet feet at this crossing. The track then climbs steeply for a short time up onto a river plateau. There is a very short loop track off to the left (Te Ngahere o Tane) which rejoins the main track a few minutes further along. Just past this is a track junction. Take the left track (Knights Track) and after a further 20 minutes walking meet Makiekie Creek for the second time. This is a perfect place for a picnic, and a splash around in the creek.

You can return the same way, or alternatively, take the track just before the creek up a steep climb to join Shorts Track coming down from the tops. Follow this back out to the main junction. Allow 3 - 4 hours if you are doing the whole circuit.

Knights-Shorts Loop Track:
From the Makiekie Creek picnic spot (mentioned above) you will need to cross the creek, and then go up a steep forest climb for approximately one hour before reaching open shrub land. From here the hard work is rewarded with great views all the way onto the top of the Ngamoko. Poles mark the junction where the route heads south along the range. Return to the carpark via Shorts Track which heads down an open ridge before descending back into forest. The low level link track from Knights Track joins in below the bush line. Follow Shorts Track back to the main junction with Knights Track and on out to the car park. This is a strenuous all day hike and due to travel on the open tops this hike should not be attempted in poor visibility or bad weather. Always tell someone where you are going, how long you expect to be and what gear, food, equipment etc you have with you.