Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Tamahunga to Pakiri Beach
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 65 ?
17.4km
980m
1000m
424m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 65 ?
17.4km
980m
1000m
424m
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Very hilly
Native bush
Beach
Open farmlands
Gravel Road
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -13.1%
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3:00
Slow
2:15
Moderate
1:30
Fast
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, 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.
From the top you can continue all the way to Pakiri Beach on the Te Araroa Trail. It was extremely technical, overgrown, clay and gorse filled. Then to finish you off, a few kilometres of gravel out to the beach.
This trail includes the peak Tamahunga.
This is part of the Te Araroa Trail.
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.
There is a good off-road carpark with warnings not to leave valuables in your car.
6 km
7 minutes
Unknown
No
Hard.
Once you climb the fence from the Tamahunga forest, you want to head left and follow the clay farm track. Many stiles to climb over. Generally veer left, but it's a good idea to have some kind of navigation with you.
After exiting the Tamahunga forest, the orange markers stop for a while. Rather handy if you have some GPS mapping with you.
Unknown.
Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
None.
After rain, you're going to get wet from running through the long grass and overgrown path. Not just a little wet, soaking.
Tree roots. Tree roots everywhere. Gorse. Slippery rocks. It's fun.
Caffe Cozy
127 Rodney St, Wellsford 0900
The coffee is delicious!
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Tamahunga to Pakiri Beach
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Ditto the review below about terrific views, excellent forest but with heaps of mud + gorse + barbed wire. I really didn't want to return the same way along the mudbath Tamahunga trail that I had come along. So here's what you can do to make this into an interesting loop. Skip the section down to Pakiri. Instead, exit onto the end of Rodney Rd. Go 700m down this road where you continue to have amazing views of the coast. On your right there is a property with Obelix boulders at the gate. To the left of that gate is a signpost saying "Walking track to Schollum Road". Go down this track which has fabulous views of Omaha and Tāwharanui. This track finishes at the end of Schollum Rd. Go down this road all the way. Turn right into the main highway (Leigh Rd). It's 1.2km along here to the intersection of Omaha Valley Rd where you need to be. Take care as there is no footpath. Then finish along Omaha Valley Rd back to the Tamahunga trail car park. All up it's about 12.5km to do this loop.
August 31, 2020
The vistas were terrific, the native forest was excellent however there's certainly a bit of a mud slog when you're crossing the farmland, be prepared for tremendous amounts of mud, a barbed wire fence and gorse on each side!I followed the GPX and noticed it goes down and up Tamahunga again, I didn't do this as I noticed a little too late and there was nothing in the description about it!
July 12, 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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