This walk starts from the Ashhurst-end car park on the closed State Highway 3, where a well-marked path heads downhill towards the road with the gorge river to the left.  It starts from a signpost on the right just before the fence blocking the highway. Here is a shaded forest of tawa, podocarp, nīkau palms and giant maidenhair fern that is only found in the Manawatū. There is birdsong and low flying kererū.

Five minutes of stair climbing leads to the Tawa Loop Track. Whichever direction is chosen, it’s a steady 2km climb to the top. The path to the left has views of the river and gorge at a seated lookout about halfway to the top.

At the top of the loop there’s ‘Whatonga’, a giant steel structure for an ancient warrior, majestically standing guard. The track continues for another 9km to the Ballance Bridge entrance at the Woodville side of the gorge.

But first the track heads east to skirt around Pt332 and then turns southwards for several hundred metres towards the giant wind turbines of Te Apiti Windfarm, which remain hidden behind the bush.

This walk, apart from the lookout points, is entirely undercover in the bush which makes it accessible in all weather. The track is smooth and well-maintained with regular distance markers. All water crossings are bridged, and all points of interest are signposted.

There are seats and tables at lookout points to the gorge, the windmills and the surrounding Manawatū landscape.

From the lookout point just past the 4km marker, are views over the river and to the north along the Ruahine Range and at the 6km point is a picnic spot right next to the giant wind turbines.

Another lookout is at Windy Point where there are views over surrounding farmland. This is accessed from the main track soon after passing the wind turbines.

From here, the track heads east and then descends to the disused SH3. It loses 100m in altitude in quick order and then sidles west and east in a long zigzag fashion until reaching a junction with the Klein Track. Take the track to the left which has a more gentle descent to the Manawatū River.

A car shuttle is difficult for this walk (cars can be parked at the start of the Klein Track) and rather than retrace their steps many walkers choose to return along the abandoned highway, which is discouraged by authorities, but there seems to be little to prevent it.