Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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Kerry's Lollipop

Huia, Auckland

Submitted by Simon Wickham

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Closed More info

CLOSED DUE TO KAURI DIEBACK. You can sign up to e-updates re the track situation in both the Waitakere and Hunua Ranges here.

Please notify us if this has changed.

Grunt Factor: 20 ?

Gnarl Factor: 56 ?

10.0km

570m

570m

246m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Run Makeup

20%
40%
40%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +11.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -10.6%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:15

Slow

1:45

Moderate

1:20

Fast

Starting at Panto Tracks western end (which is also Farley Tracks eastern end) I'd usually do this clockwise as it gives a nice quick downhill finish (esp in summer) to the loop - this is how its run on the profile below.
Start up the hill for a few hundred metres to the first fork and a Kauri Dieback station (spray the shoes) and head left onto Farley Track. This is great little single track that undulates its way up and over a few spurs on the way round to Kakamatua Track (Note: Farley Track shows as 'closed' on Council's website but this is only the section beyond this loop to Huia that is closed - so don't panic it's all good). You'll drop in and out of little valleys that are a bit damp in winter, through nice native bush and a couple of small streams and come to a fork with Kakamatua Track (turn right and head up this track). This is a great ridge track with a couple of good climbs (short and hard) and mainly otherwise undulating fun ridgeline running in native bush on a beautiful single track through to a regenerating Kauri forest. Some great views to your left across the Huia Dam and Valley from a few vantage points are to be savoured along this track. Head on and after a short downhill you'll see next junction with Parau Track and here you turn right on Parau Track (a left turn here takes you out to Huia Dam Rd, another access point for this loop). Parau Track undulates then heads downhill into Greasy Gulch (esp. in winter) and some nice downhill into a steam bed. The track heads uphill via a ridgeline that is split by two stream beds and the tougher climb out of the valley that gets the quads into gear starts here. Follow this grunter up till a junction with the Nihotipu Ridge Track (closed) and keep on Parau Tk, head to your right until a junction with Panto Track (again take a right). (Note: If you did turn left here you'd go downhill all the way to Huia Rd - another access point for this loop). Don't do that - go right and the climbing's over for the day, enjoy a downhill to the finish along Panto Track - let the legs and the mind run free on this wide open single track back to the car.

Valleys and ridges, this run has a bit of everything - stream crossings, views of Huia Valley and Dam/Lake, views of Manukau Harbour back to the city

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

3-4 car parking in a gravel park close to the road edge - no public transport. Never had any safety issues parking here.

4 km

5 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

The junctions are all marked and signposted and the tracks are well marked with orange triangles

Patchy.

Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map

Plenty of stream crossings with no neighbouring farms etc so options abound at your own risk

Winter comes with greasy tracks and mud = more fun, slower times (the times posted are winter times)

Huia Food Store
Huia
Too many treats to name, great food, great coffee in an old historic general store setting that's worth a little detour further along Huia Road to get to

Iti (formerly Takahe)
Titirangi
Good tapas/small plates, great craft beer and good coffee

You and Kerry's Lollipop

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Trail Reviews

Good fun run with lots of mud today. The last hill is a definite climber but the final run home is top notch.

Jon Turner

July 4, 2017

Tackled ... nearly literally this trail today. Canopy provide good cover. Very muddy but safe to run and I am another "trail turtle" - so if you haven't give this a go. Agree with other post - It is tougher than described especially after a good overnight dumping of wet stuff.

Claudine Gillies

June 24, 2017

Loved it, plenty of mud today, great loop!

Hamish Read

May 31, 2017

Beautiful track, fun to do though probably a little more gnarly than the description implies! If, like me, you're more of a racing turtle than a racing sardine (thanks to whoever first wrote the phrase racing sardine- love it!) that is working on their fitness I'd suggest adding a little more time to expected times in the directory. P.S. the carpark is just past the turnoff to Cornwallis beach <- this sign is much larger than Pine Ave. Hopefully you are more observant that me and don't drive right past it :-D

Nikki Newham

May 7, 2017

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