Mangapurua Landing to the Bridge to Nowhere via Whanganui River

Boat transport is needed initially to take you up to Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui River from where the track begins. It is a 3 km easy trail from then on, leading up to the iconic concrete bridge which has become a very popular visitor destination. Constructed in the 1930s to provide road access to the remote Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement, by the time the bridge was completed, the valley had become deserted and as such the bridge was barely used. Further road construction was abandoned, hence the bridge’s name. The trail takes less than an hour, although caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here and for information on how we grade trails, please click here. Return is via the same track. Dogs are not allowed. Photo Credit:Joerg Mueller