Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Upland Road to Wairere Falls
Submitted by Mike Tennent
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 37
Gnarl Factor: 58
25.5km
710m
710m
494m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Mike Tennent
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 37
Gnarl Factor: 58
25.5km
710m
710m
494m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Riverside
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +5.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -5.5%
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Not suitable
Slow
4:30
Moderate
3:00
Fast
This route encapsulates all there is to love about trail running -, technical stuff, free-flowing stuff, slippery bits, views... all in all an awesome adventure.
The trail leaves from the end of the road and heads slightly uphill with the occasional down. It is very technical in places with stream crossings (beware the green rocks) and windfall across trail that you will need to find you way around or over. There are a couple of intersections - follow the signs to Wairere Falls (and Upland Rd on the way back).
At about 10km in there is an un-signposted trail off left to a grassy area... stop there and check out the awesome tall Kauri... then back on the main trail. At around 12.5km you will get to the Falls, stop and take some pics, fill your drink bottle and, when you are ready, head back. The last couple of km to the car are pretty much all down fast and flowing runnable downhill, a chance to free up the legs and go for it.
Great views of the Waikato from the top of Wairere Falls, some great swimming holes on the way back. Awesome Single Trail. One majestic Kauri!
Room for 4 -6 vehicles there.
16 km
17 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
There are quite a few places where there has been windfall and the trail is less than obvious. Just stop, look around, if you can't see an orange triangle, then backtrack until you do.
Non-existent.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.
Frequent places to fill your bottle up.
Gets extremely wet and boggy in winter... definitely a summer trail unless you love the boggy stuff!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Upland Road to Wairere Falls
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As tough as the Kaimais offer. First 25mins of runnable climbing, then the mid section, which I found too slippery/rooty/rocky to get into any kind of a rhythm. Once you reach the top plateau then you can enjoy 5-6k of nice bush run.
July 3, 2020
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