Mt TamahungaBeginner
Submitted by Mike Tennent
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Very hilly
Native bushOpen farmlands
Beginner
1:30 (Slow)
1:00 (Moderate)
0:40 (Fast)
-16.0%
+16.0%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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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.
Trail Community
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
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

Tamahunga to Pakiri Beach
Length: 17.42km
Photos:
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I did it!-
Access
The start is about one kilometre up Omaha Valley Rd from the Leigh Rd end.
There is a good off-road carpark with warnings not to leave valuables in your car.
6 km
7 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
There is only the one turn off the trail which is covered in the trail description.
Generally good.
Waterproof leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map.
No water on trail
This trail could be extremely muddy in winter and/or after heavy rain.
The tree roots are a rolled ankle waiting to happen... especially on the downhill, so if you have dodgy ankles then be careful... maybe walk!
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