Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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Orange Kakapiko

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty

Submitted by Sean McWilliams

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Notice More info

Grunt Factor: 12 ?

Gnarl Factor: 20 ?

9.2km

300m

300m

600m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Combo

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Lakeside

Run Makeup

10%
75%
15%

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.5%

Average Downhill Gradient: -8.4%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

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.

This trail includes the peak Kakapiko.

Lookout over Lake Rotokakahi, views from atop Kakapiko.

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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

JM

Jasmine MNijel

has completed Orange Kakapiko once in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

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Trail Reviews

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.

Laura Crossan

April 2, 2021

Ace run, great views, good bit of vert! Bush section a little overgrown at the mo!

Lauren Mai Anderson

December 10, 2020

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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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