Challenge TrackBeginner
Submitted by Brad Harris
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Very hilly
Native bushPlantation/exotic forest
Beginner
1:40 (Slow)
1:20 (Moderate)
0:55 (Fast)
-11.4%
+11.4%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
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.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Views of both the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam and Wairoa Dam
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 10%
Moderate Single Track: 60%
Easy Single Track: 20%
Gravel Road: 10%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each

Challenge / Ernies Loop
Length: 21.00km
Photos:
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Access
At the top of Moumoukai Rd, turn left at the large metal gate, there you will see a good sized carpark. At the North end of the carpark you will see another gate with a basic Kauri Dieback cleaning station on the left
Plenty of parking at the intersection of Moumoukai and Repeater Roads. No public transport options available.
11 km
13 minutes
Yes
No
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Staying Safe
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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