Description

This is quite a slog heading up, rewarded by the cruise back down to the car. You start at a nice spacious carpark with both DOC and Te Araroa signs to check out. Then its about 500m up through private farmland, you need to stay on the trail and try not to spook any farm animals that may be around, as this is a working farm and access to the trail is dependent on permission.

Once you reach the bush the trail is clear, but anything but easy. Plenty of tree roots (see pictures) and mud, even after reasonably fine weather, makes it a good testing climb. Just follow the ubiquitous orange triangles. Near the top you will see a sign (see pic), ignore the trail to the left and carry on up to the top. The top is signified by a grassy area with a clearing to the right with great views over Leigh and the coast. There is a good size platform as well, not sure what was there originally though. Once you have had a look around, taken a couple of pictures of the view and had a drink from your pack, turn around and head back to the car. The trail itself carries on all the way to Pakiri if you fancy a very long out and back or can con someone to pick you up at the other end. I will try to map the remainder of the run on future visits.

Features of interest

Part of the New Zealand-long Te Araroa Trail

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 0%

Technical Single Track: 75%

Moderate Single Track: 25%

Easy Single Track: 0%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 0%

Gravel Road: 0%

Sealed Road: 0%

Route Data