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Key facts
- Distance
- 4.3 km loop
- Walking time
- 1 hr 30 min return or 3-4 hr full circuit
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Ruahine Forest Park
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Walk Deerford Loop Track to picturesque Makiekie Creek for a picnic and a paddle.
This DOC directory entry covers Deerford Loop Track in Manawatu-Whanganui, within Ruahine Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 4.3 km loop
- Walking time: 1 hr 30 min return or 3-4 hr full circuit
- DOC grade: Advanced
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the carpark follow the poled route across the farmland to the forest edge and 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 an ideal spot for a picnic and a paddle.
Return the same way or 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 hr if doing the whole circuit.
Getting there
Turn right onto Āpiti Road just past the village of Kimbolton. This becomes Oroua Valley Road before Āpiti. Table Flat Road turns off to the right past Āpiti. Follow this until you see the signpost for Limestone Road (veers to the right near the end of Table Flat Road). Wind along Limestone Road till you get to the DOC carpark at the end.
Nature and conservation
The forest here is an interesting mix of conifer and broadleaved species and beech forest. Access to the Ngamoko Range and over to the Pohangina Valley attracts hunters and trampers to this area. Nearby Sixtus Lodge is used by school groups who often use the local tracks for outdoor recreation. A small privately covenanted bush area on Limestone Road gives access to some wonderful glowworm grottos.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
