Jacob’s Ladder Loop

Length: XX km

Expected Duration: XX hours

Grade: XXX

This loop is a beautiful walk combining walking along the Brook Stream and through the native busy, but with some effort required, as the walk up the lower section of Jacob’s Ladder is steep. The return section is an easy downhill track back to the Visitor Centre and being further from the stream it is quieter and better for listening to bird calls.

Walk Highlights

See the remains of all five dams that were part of the Nelson water supply.
Get the best of both worlds – exploring the nature by the Brook stream and immersing yourself in the forest on your return on the Koru track
Koru track provides a quick walk back to the Visitor’s Centre, it is quieter as it is away from the stream and provides more opportunity for listening to the birds

Walk Information

It is a steep track up Jacob’s Ladder which is slippery when wet.
Koru track gently descends back to the Visitor Centre
It’s recommended to extend the walk up to the Forks Crossing and back

Getting to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary

Jacob’s ladder loop

We are currently updating our visitor map & signage to show our walk trails in loops. In the meantime, please follow the directions below:

Directions

- When you enter the Sanctuary, turn right across the bridge towards our Tuatara enclosure where you might get a glimpse of one of our residents sunning themselves
- Start the pink loop track alongside the Brook stream
- Stay a moment at the Beech Glade Bridge
- but keep the Brook stream on your left and continue up the green valley track
- You will come to the 1909 Bridge and dam
- Soon after you will see a signposted track on your left to take you up the Jacob’s ladder track. This first section is steep.
- After ascending for a while, you will meet the orange Koru track. Turn left on the Koru track all the way back to the Visitor Centre. The track gradually descends all the way

Be aware

Some of our tracks are more challenging – some with river crossings and steep terrain. Last entry is at 3pm, allow time for your walk based on your fitness levels.

Download Map

Download our visitor map
Download the Avenza app and download the Brook Sanctuary Visitor Map which you can use offline, enabling you to identify where you are within the Sanctuary

Unlimited walk access

Become a member and visit unlimited times each year, get priority access to Sanctuary events and be on the list for our regular newsletters and alerts. All membership funds go directly to supporting conservation work in the Sanctuary.

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