Pohaturoa Trig 5km Loop, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand - Trail Running Directory

Pohaturoa Trig 5km Loop

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Last Updated: 17th Aug 2026

Beginner - Intermediate

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Grunt Factor: 6 ?

Gnarl Factor: 11 ?

5.6km

Length of run

140m

Total Ascent

140m

Total Descent

Driving Time

Driving Distance

Directions to start

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Riverside

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Run Makeup

30%

70%

Gravel / Boardwalk

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +4.90%

Average Downhill Gradient: -4.90%

Garmin Course

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Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:50

Slow

1:05

Moderate

Fast

GPX File

Topo Map

3D Satellite

Guide

Starting from the Waipa Mountain Bike Carpark in Rotorua, you make your way across bridge that takes you in to the Whakarewarewa Forest. Within about 100m you’ll make a sharp left turn which takes you on the main climb for this run (yes, you start with a hill) following the “Pohaturoa Walking Track”.

This incredibly scenic climb takes you all the way to the top of Kohaturoa Hill, where you are met at the peak with a trig station and seats. You then descend down the stairs on the other side of the hill and if you can spare a moment it is worth taking a very short (30 sec) deviation to the lookout that gives you wonderful views of Lake Rotorua, the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and the world famous Pohutu Geyser.

The stairs finish on Trig Rd where you hang a right and continue until you reach the “T” intersection with Radio Hut Rd. Take a right, carry on until you reach Nursery Rd (signposted), right down Nursery and continue all the way to the entrance of the “Yellow Track” (signposted with a yellow arrow). Follow the yellow arrows all the way back to where you started (running through pines, then open area, Douglas Fir, a wonderful boardwalk over wetlands and finishing off with huge Redwood trees.

This trail includes the peak Pohaturoa.

A wonderful little run that measure 5.45kms by the wheel and has an elevation gain of 140m. Stunning views of Whakarewarewa and the Rotorua caldera.

Toilets and showers at the start of the route.

Transport and parking:

There is HEAPS of parking and if you decide you want to run from the city, there is a wonderful footpath and track that takes you from Te Puia right through to Waipa following the Puarenga Stream.

Distance from Rotorua:

5 km

Driving time from Rotorua:

9 minutes

Dog friendly:

Yes

Landowner permission required:

Navigation Rating:

Easy.

Cellphone Coverage:

Generally good.

Suggested Gear List:

Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone

Availability of Water:

There are water taps at the carpark you started from. (There are also two licensed bars there!)

Seasonality Issues:

This is a great run all year round, rain hail or shine.

Hazards:

Rain is fine but sections of the track are in plantation forest so treat with caution in high winds.

Secret Spot
Next to start point car park
https://secretspot.nz/
Hot tubs, cafe, bar...

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Trail Legend

Ben Eagle

has completed Pohaturoa Trig 5km Loop once in the last year.

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Overlapping Trails

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.