Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Orange Kakapiko
Submitted by Sean McWilliams
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 12
Gnarl Factor: 20
9.2km
300m
300m
600m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Sean McWilliams
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 12
Gnarl Factor: 20
9.2km
300m
300m
600m
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Lakeside
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +7.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.4%
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1:30
Slow
1:05
Moderate
0:45
Fast
Note (may 2021): NB Orange track is no longer open due to logging so you have to follow Green Lake Road instead
Start at the gate for Green Lake Rd. Head along the gravel to the first junction and veer left. Approx. 200m up the hill you will come to a small signpost; go hard left into the bush. Follow the single track (aka Orange Track) up the short climb and check out the stunning views of Lake Rotokakahi (aka Green Lake). There are two lookout points, with the second offering the best views. Stunning. Keep following the track down through the pines and out into the Green Lake picnic area. Follow the trail through the grass, and head left out onto Green Lake Rd. Follow this until you get to the junction with Eight Mile Gate Rd (this is about 500m up the road from where you started). Follow the black arrows left into the pines, follow the trail and cross the road onto Sandstone Rd. Head along Sandstone until you come to Lokoout Rd on the right. Follow this to the top of Kakapiko, one of the high points in the forest. Bomb back down and cross straight over to Phillips Rd; follow this cruisey single track back to the carpark.
Lookout over Lake Rotokakahi, views from atop Kakapiko.
A five minute drive from the Waipa MTB Park, heading south on SH5 towards Taupo.
13 km
14 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Look out for the back of the signpost about 250m up from the first junction on the left.
When descending Kakapiko, go straight ahead at the bottom onto Phillips Rd. This wasn't signposted last time i was there, but features on Topo maps.
From the picnic area, be aware that Lakefront Rd (a right-hand turn) is currently closed by iwi due to ongoing issues with Lake Rotokakahi. Please respect the rahui.
Perfect throughout.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.
None.
None.
The descent from the Orange Track lookout is quite steep and rooty.
Brew
Eat Street precinct, Tutanekai St
http://www.brewpub.co.nz/
Best beer list in town, and great food. Hit up the locally brewed Croucher beers.
Scope
1296 Tutanekai St
https://www.facebook.com/scoperotorua/
Exceptional coffee, great food, and great service.
Secret Spot
Waipa MTB Park
https://secretspot.nz/
A great post-run foot soak or hot tub, great coffee, and food supplied by the awesome Guidough's bakery.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Orange Kakapiko
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Recent logging has removed the beginning of the orange track, you can scramble up the forestry slash and reconnect with the trail after about 500m or so but that section is quite overgrown before reconnecting with the Green Lake Road. Much better to just stay on Green Lake Road until you reach Sandstone road.
The rest of the trail is well formed at stunning views at the top of Kakapiko.
April 2, 2021
Ace run, great views, good bit of vert! Bush section a little overgrown at the mo!
December 10, 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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