Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Valley of the Killer Zombie Wallabies
Submitted by Rob Edkins
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 33
Gnarl Factor: 31
25.5km
850m
850m
761m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Rob Edkins
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 33
Gnarl Factor: 31
25.5km
850m
850m
761m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +7.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -7.4%
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4:00
Slow
3:00
Moderate
2:00
Fast
The 'Little O' starts at the Millar Road entrance to the Western Okataina Track at the north end of Lake Okaraeka.
Sound familiar? It should, it's the start line for the 62km event at the Tarawera Ultra (about 23km in for the other distances). So if you're thinking of having a crack at TUM it's a good place to start for a bit of a course recce.
To get there head out of Rotorua toward the airport, then turn right onto Tarawera Road. Take a left when you get to Okaraka Loop road and follow this down to the Lake, turning left onto Millar road just before the lake shore. Stay on Millar Road as it turns to gravel and keep going until you see the sign on the left for the track.
The track starts out as a deceptively gentle climb through regenerating bush on what looks like old farm or forestry roads, and keeps going steadily up for most of the first 3km. The next bit is a longish descent into a valley where the running is pretty easy for the most part, but outside of the brief period in November when the track is cleared by TUM volunteers there can be a fair bit of wild blackberry and gorse around in some of the narrower places to give the legs a lashing. There are usually plenty of birds around and if you keep your eyes open through this bit there's a fair chance you might have an encounter with the local wallabies (contrary to some reports they're probably not carnivorous...when anyone is watching).
The next bit is a fairly steep couple of upward kilometres and at about 11km you'll come to a fork in the track where the Western Okataina track (and the TUM course) heads right toward the TUM aid station at the top of Lake O and the Rangitoto Peak track goes left.
Head left and in a couple of km there's one last climb to the Okataina trig up on Rangitoto Peak. There are some pretty cool views of the lakes from up here and down toward Kawerau.
The rest is basically just retracing your steps back to the car, though an option would be to arrange a pick up at Lake Okataina. The round trip from Millar road is just over 25km.
Wallabies!!
There is some parking beside Millar Road at the track entrance.
15 km
20 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Pick up a trail map at the Rotorua I-Site.
Very patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Carry own water.
Can be cool in winter and bad weather.
Wild blackberry and gorse.
Fat Dog Cafe
1161 ARAWA STREET ROTORUA NEW ZEALAND
http://www.fatdogcafe.co.nz/
A Rotorua classic. Great food and atmosphere. Open late
Sequoia
10 Tarawera Rd. Rotorua
https://www.outdoorsman.co.nz/sequoia-eatery-rotorua
Nice food and handy to the Redwoods
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Valley of the Killer Zombie Wallabies
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Great runnable trail. It's a Mtb track so great flow to it for running. Generally it's pretty flat with small undulations. Gets steeper just before the trig turn off. Make sure you take the trig turn off otherwise you're in for a steep descent down to the lake.... And a steep climb back! Mostly clay surface which is great in the dry but can be a bit slippy in the wet. No views, but all good bush. Enjoy :-)
September 24
Nice quiet trail. A bit of hop footing with deep ravines. No wallabies to be seen today.
August 19
JH
Track in good condition with recent vegetation control by Rotorua Trails Trust. Some patches of mud on the trig end.
June 12, 2021
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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