Description

Head up the gravel road from the carpark steeply at first for 3/4 km until you reach Plows Rd. Ignore the "no access, logging" sign, and turn left. For the next 6km it's undulating gravel road, initially past cleared exotic forest (Watercare has bought the exotic forests in the Northern Hunuas and is slowly removing them and replanting with natives), and then at about the 5km mark you're on Mine Rd, which leads through pleasant native bush for another couple of km. Ignore the first turnoff to Kohukohunui (this is the return) and a short way later turn into Mine track.

Tighten your laces, this is a steep and rough track downhill to the Mangatawhiri River, and an even steeper uphill on the other side to the Upper Mangatawhiri track. Once on the Upper Mangatawhiri track ridge, you head East for 4 1/2 km, more up than down, and the forest is mostly open and pleasant, fairly technical running however - lots of tree roots. At the 13 km mark you reach the Mangatangi Ridge track coming in from the right - you go left for 200m and at the next junction follow all signs to Kohukohunui. An annoying little downhill and last push up sees you at the summit tower at about the 14km mark. Enjoy the views for a few more years, though the trees will crowd them out before too long.

Heading North past the summit tower you pass Trig K Hut, where there is a toilet and a water supply. A few meters further and you turn left, down Kohukohunui track. This you follow all the way back to the road you came along earlier. This track is crazily good - it's all steps, boardwalk, benched, gravelled etc - fantastic trail running in what is basically the middle of nowhere. At about 18.5km you arrive back at Mine Rd. Retrace your steps back to the carpark.

Features of interest

Highest point in the Hunuas/ in the mainland Auckland region. Lots of native birdlife - intensive predator control area. There is an abandoned manganese mine at the end of Mine Rd, a short distance off the route.

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 10%

Moderate Single Track: 15%

Easy Single Track: 20%

Gravel Road: 55%

Route Data