Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Riverside
Lakeside
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +4.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -4.9%
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02:00
Slow
01:30
Moderate
01:00
Fast
This is the mid course from the Xterra Trail Series. The route follows some gravel road, some 4 wheel drive track and some single track. The single track is also mountain biking tracks so be aware of other users, particularly around corners or steep sections.
Start at the Upper Mangatawhiri Car Park, head back ~500m along the road you drove in on (Moumoukai Road) until you get to Ara Drive on your left. Head left onto Ara Drive, past the carpark and gate (make sure your shoes are clean and disinfected). Continue on for around 1km, then head right onto River Trail. Where the single track ends, head left on Moumoukai Valley Road for about 200m before turning right onto Ara Drive (Mangatangi Hill Road) again.
Follow Ara Drive for ~100m before heading right onto Rise n Shine single track. Follow the single track for just under 1km where the track will come back out on the road - turn right here to follow the track across the open grass area. You'll pass some sheds and head back into the bush. Follow this down to Manning Road and turn left. Less than 100m on your right the trail enters the single track again - follow for around 2km before coming out (turn right) onto Moumoukai Valley road. Follow this (mostly downhill) for ~ 2.2km and you'll come to River Trail on your left. This is the same trail you ran at the beginning so follow your nose in reverse back to your car.
Mangatawhiri is a rolled earth dam built in 1965. It was built to provide water supply to Auckland city and continues to do this now. Compared to many of the Hunua trails this route is very runnable
Plenty of parking though it may get a bit busy on good weather weekend days. Safety seems good but wouldn't leave valuables in the car. Road is gravel for the last 10km or so but in good condition
64 km
61 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
The tracks are all in good condition but signage may be a hard to come by. Take a map and trail directions.
Very patchy.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.
Bring your own. Some of the route is alongside waterways but not easily accessible. Unsure of water quality
Cold, wet and windy in poor weather. The weather in Auckland is not always the same as the weather in Hunua so be prepared. Likely to be muddy after rain. Trail shoes recommended
Stream crossings - you will get wet feet. Assess the risks if the rivers are high and perhaps choose a different route if unsure
The Corner Kitchen and Bar
Clevedon
https://www.thecornerkitchenandbar.co.nz/
Most amazing carrot cake!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Hunua Hustle
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A beautiful run through the Hunua’s for a less hilly experience. Great single track running beside rivers and streams with a few crossings to boot! About knee deep for the deepest. The running takes place on a number of MTB tracks so be watchful for riders. The rest of the running is on gravel roads used by Watercare. Just a great run out.
May 15, 2022
A nice run and not too difficult. Although I did get lost (so I've not managed to actually do this one yet)
Tip for new players - when you get to the 'sheds', there is only one shed and take the path to the right of the shed, right beside it, called Barnyard Boogie. You will then come to a T junction and you need to turn left (although turning right is just an unnecessary loop so not the end of the world).
I guess I will try again tomorrow to try and do the trail that is mapped for this one! :o)
June 23, 2021