Manawatu Gorge
The Manawatu Gorge ( in Māori Te Apiti , which means narrow passage ) is a gorge on the North Island of New Zealand that runs between the Ruahine Range and the Tararua Range . It connects the Manawatu-Wanganui and Hawke's Bay regions . The gorge is northeast of Palmerston North , its west end is near the small town of Ashhurst , the east end near Woodville .
The Manawatu Gorge with the Manawatu River flowing in it cut its way through the surrounding mountains in a straight line as a breakthrough valley, while the mountains slowly rose. Most of the other river valleys were formed by erosion of already existing mountains.
The State Highway 3 runs along the south side of the ravine and was completed 1872nd It is a main link between the two coasts in the southern part of the North Island and is occasionally blocked by landslides. Alternative routes run through the mountains on the north and south sides. A rail link for the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line on the north side of the gorge was completed in 1891.
A long-distance hiking trail , the Manawatu Gorge Track , runs parallel to the gorge on the south side through the bush.
Coordinates: 40 ° 19 ′ 6.2 ″ S , 175 ° 47 ′ 52.8 ″ E