The Route of No Return - Puhoi to Dome ValleyBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Simon Clendon
Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestOpen farmlands
Beginner - Intermediate
5:30 (Slow)
4:15 (Moderate)
3:30 (Fast)
-6.0%
+7.7%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Please set your gender to see your position on the FKT leaderboards.
The more , the harder the FKT will be to beat. Learn about Fastest Known Times.
Description
The trail is reasonably well marked with Te Araroa signs although in places can be tricky. These tricky spots are highlighted below.
The run starts on a track just behind and to the left of the changing rooms at the back of the car park. There's a good steep section from the get-go to warm you up. The first section is 5km of well groomed trail through some native bush and a few pines. There are some ups and downs and a good number of stairs. This section finishes across a swing bridge.
The next section follows the road opposite the swing bridge. Follow this for 1km and watch for trail markers on the left just across a bridge. Straight ahead is private property. The trail sharply ascends a grassy slope that can be slippery in wet conditions and high grass in summer. This part soon pops onto a farm road which you follow uphill and through a couple of farm gates (leave as you find them!) before hitting paddocks and entering Dunn Bush.
Spray your shoes at the scrub station. After Dunn Bush you pop out onto a sealed road (spray again). Turn right and follow the sealed road for about a kilometre to a road intersection. The trail continues straight across the intersection. Time for some 1.5km of uphill trail. Dry in summer slippery in winter. Turn left when you emerge from the bush. This is Moirs Road which heads uphill for a bit with some great views on the way. The road turns to gravel. There are a number of side roads so keep alert and watch for DoC orange triangles and/or Te Araroa signs. Basically keep straight-ish.
The road goes alongside some paddocks to start with then through some bush and then into pine forest territory. Much of this is felled to your right so keep that on you right side and don't take left turns. Soon you will get to a steep descent that ends at a barrier. Follow the main road a little to your left. Time for some road running, sorry. The road soon hits a major road called Woodcocks Road. Turn right. Be aware of cars as there isn't a lot of space on the verge. Before long there is a road on the left. Go that way. Follow the road until the end. There is a private driveway that the route follows so use the stiles if the gates are closed.
Shortly you will cross another stile onto grassy paddocks. There is a gate and a few more stiles. Keep to the path and don't disturb livestock. Soon you will hit another public road. Turn right. After less than a kilometre there is an intersection. Turn left. This isn't marked with a Te Araroa sign. Follow this road for another kilometre and turn right on to Kaipara Flats Road and almost immediately left onto a side road. You now get to enjoy 2km of uphill running. Stop gratefully when you see the DoC Smyth Bush Scenic Reserve sign on your right.
Last section! Enter the single track into Smyth Bush and follow the DoC markers. After about 1 kilometre you will hit some forestry roads. Follow the DoC orange triangles to the right and then each intersection head more or less straight. Quite a few undulations but eventually you reach a high point near a repeater tower. You will start heading down to the left on the gravel road. Not far now! The final bit is mostly downhill so if you have any energy left let yourself go and zoom down. Your destination is near but there is one more obstacle - State Highway 1. Visibility isn't great so cross with extreme care!The cafe, which was closed for quite time, is now open again and serving up some great post-run indulgence!
Trail Community
Features of interest
Follows part of the Te Araroa trail. Quite a varied run with a relatively high percentage of gravel roads.
Make Up of Run
Easy Single Track: 32%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 20%
Gravel Road: 31%
Sealed Road: 17%
Route Data
Reviews:
Photos:
Your Trail Wishlist
All the runs that are on your To Do list (no limit).
Add to wishlist view wishlistWild Explorers
I did it!-
Access
Bash "Puhoi" into Google maps to get directions. Puhoi is approximately 43km north of Auckland. The turn off to Puhoi from State Highway 1 is well signposted. Drive along Puhoi Road for about 1km to the General Store on the left but turn right across the bridge to a large parking area with toilets and changing facilities.
Private car to get there. Plenty of parking although the last Sunday of each month there is a Farmers Market so might be busy. Puhoi goes off in summer so it's bound to be busy then. However, good Wild Things start their runs early, right? You will either need two cars, or a willing Wild Thing supporter to pick you up at the Dome Valley Cafe (sadly now closed!) when you finish.
0 km
1 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Moderate.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
See main route description.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.
No potable water on the route.
Hot in summer so consider taking at least 2 litres of water, maybe more.
The single track can be slippery and muddy in parts in winter.Electric fences. Cows on some sections but they seem to be conditioned to people as the route is often travelled by Te Araroa walkers. The long grasses in summer can cause itchy skin for some people. Consider covering up and/or antihistamines.
-
Post run indulgence
Dome Cafe
Great food & drink - Blog Posts and Articles
-
Sponsor this trail