Marton Sash and Door

To National Park Village via the same route, following the markers and enjoying the scenic views along the way.

Marton Sash and Door is a delightful cycling park located within the National Park, offering a short and enjoyable ride suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. The trail takes riders on a journey back in time, as they explore a bush tramway that dates back to the early logging days. Named after the Marton Sash and Door logging company, the tramway was originally built to transport logs from the forest to the town of Marton.

Starting from the railway station at National Park village, riders will head south alongside the main trunk railway line before ascending to meet the old bush tramway line. This section of the trail offers a truly enjoyable riding experience through the lush forest. Along the way, riders will also come across various remnants from the logging era, such as the remains of log bridges, a small wood dam, pumice cuttings, and rail irons.

The trail is marked with clear trail markers and follows a clockwise loop that closely follows the old bush tramway, complete with the original sleepers. This loop is suitable for families and offers a fantastic opportunity to explore New Zealand's natural beauty while learning about its history.

The Marton Sash and Door trail is a community trail that is supported by the National Park Village Association. The trail and its surrounding area have a rich history, as the Marton Sash and Door Company operated logging and sawmilling operations in National Park and Erua from 1925 to 1957. Over time, as technology advanced and alternative logging methods became available, the tramways were left to fade into the landscape. However, in the early 2000s, the community of National Park Village rediscovered the area and worked to restore it back to its former glory.

Now, cyclists can enjoy the gentle riding tracks that were created from the former tramway cuttings and routes.

The trail offers riders a chance to traverse the special landscapes of Erua, which have been home to the local iwi Uenuku for centuries. The presence of the iwi is an integral part of the area's stories, community, and success.

To begin the journey, riders can start at the Pou at the Park and Ride, located in National Park Village. From there, they will follow the distinct markers along the route. The trail starts by heading north on Station Rd, then crossing over the railway line and turning left onto Pehi Rd to ride parallel to the main trunk line. Riders should not cross the railway line at any point.

The loop track can be accessed through a set of cycle squeeze bars on the right, directly opposite the access from Mountain Heights Lodge. Riders will then turn left and head west, crossing a bridge and passing a toilet before reaching a trail branch. It is important to stay left at this point and follow the wide track, which offers beautiful views of the mountains and stunning podocarps.

At Cuff road, riders will take a right turn and continue along the gravel road for approximately 1 kilometre, taking time to appreciate the panoramic views from the skyline. From there, riders can take the West Branch line to the right, where they will encounter various historical points of interest. These include a small dam that served as a water refilling station for the bush lokeys, a site known for a significant jigger crash, and a cutting created through the pumice to facilitate the extraction of logs by the bush trams. Riders may also come across a lokey or loco, which were steam locomotives specifically designed for the challenging conditions of the bush tramways.

Upon reaching the end of the loop, riders will rejoin the trail they came up on and make their way back to National Park Village following the same route. Throughout the ride, they will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in New Zealand's natural beauty, learn about its logging history, and appreciate the efforts of the community in preserving and restoring the Marton Sash and Door trail.