Last Updated: 8th Feb 2024
Challenge Track
Last Updated: 8th Feb 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 42 ?
10.0km
560m
560m
384m
Last Updated: 8th Feb 2024
Last Updated: 8th Feb 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 42 ?
10.0km
560m
560m
384m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.4%
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2:00
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:05
Fast
Starting from the wooden gate, follow along the gravel road (Repeater Rd) for 900m until you reach the fork. Along this stretch there are two lookouts if you're after a photo looking over the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam. Head to the right at the fork, and you will pass the Repeater Campsite on your left immediately before the sign labelled Challenge Track. From there follow your nose, there are no other turns / options to go the wrong way until you reach the end of the Challenge Track. From here turn around and head back the way you came.
Views of both the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam and Wairoa Dam
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.
Plenty of parking at the intersection of Moumoukai and Repeater Roads. No public transport options available.
11 km
13 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
If you see the Wairoa Loop Track on your left, or reach the end of Repeater road with the radio repeater station, you have missed the right turn at the fork.
Non-existent.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
No drinking water available in the park, all available water is non-treated
Very muddy and slippery after rain, and as this track is used mostly for Mountain Biking, it does suffer some damage when wet and become slippery on several clay patches.
Look out for overhead branches, and slippery clay on climbs
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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KA
I run this track regularly as part of a longer run. I only run it in one direction though (s to N). I ran it last week and will run it again tomorrow. The track is nice and clear thanks to the organisers of the Hunua Hilly Billy. I have run it in all sorts of weather, it can get very muddy and thus slippery. A great trail to add to longer runs of just run/walk as an out and back. If you want to add to it, then do the Wairoa Suspension loop, which would make it about 18-19km all up.
April 2
This track is an advanced mountain bike track and rutted as you would expect, with overgrown parts of cutty grass (recommend gaiters). It does not appear to be well used. Despite this, it's still a fun afternoon out in the bush. I saw no one until I returned to my car.
February 6, 2024
I did it the opposite way. Running up the Warerline road, turning left at the gate and then into Challenger Track. This was great running, some good hills and has probably been cleared recently an awesome training trail run!!
May 28, 2020
While its not along, the name Challenge Track is accurate. Plenty of vert for a short distance, and with some rutted and slippery clay after rain it certainly can be a challenge. Climbs are short and sharp, but the track is largely runnable
May 24, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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