Buffalo Girl Trail - Tect ParkBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Noeline Best
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushOpen ridges/tops
Beginner - Intermediate
1:50 (Slow)
1:30 (Moderate)
0:50 (Fast)
-7.5%
+7.5%
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Description
From the carpark, start at the white gate in the corner and follow the gravel road to complete the loop anti-clockwise. At about 1.25km you'll reach an intersection - bear left and follow the red Buffalo Girl markers. At about 1.9km take another left off the gravel road at the next red marker. From this point, it will turn from gravel to trail. At the 4km mark, at the next intersection, bear left again (still following the red markers). At this point the trail will drop down into the bush. If it has been raining, it can get quite slippery and muddy (I've tumbled more than once...).
At 4.7km you'll hit a small river crossing - there are two smaller water crossings within the next km. At about 6.2km the trail will meet a gravel road at the entrance to the Rifle Range. At this point, turn left and follow the road for about half a km before turning back into the bush at the next red marker. At 7.6km you'll be back on gravel for a short while as you run up to the model flying club. You'll see another red marker on the left directly opposite the flying club at the 8km mark. Follow this last track past the 'Lost Tank' side track - 200m further along, you will pop out just before the white gate at the corner of the carpark again.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Just before the end of the loop, you have the opportunity to 'discover' the Lost Tank. This is a short 300m return off the main track.
Make Up of Run
Moderate Single Track: 25%
Easy Single Track: 50%
Gravel Road: 25%
Route Data
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Access
From Pyes Pa Road (Route 36), turn into Whataroa Rd for the entrance to Tect Park. Before you get to the visitor centre, turn left into Weld Road. At the end of Weld Road, turn right and drive past the Adrenaline Forest. It's mainly gravel road from this point. Continue past the Equestrian Centre on the right hand side, and further along, continue past the turn-off to the Model Flying Club on the left. The road then finishes at the Mountain Bike area, which has a massive car-park, a sheltered area, and the last toilet you'll see for a while.
There is a big gravel area for parking. Have never had any trouble here, but obviously keep your car locked and valuables out of sight. Please be aware that mobile phone coverage is almost non-existent, apart from a couple of areas on the high peaks, so make sure someone knows where you are going. I generally run this on a Sunday at 9am and it is always empty at this time of day, with more cars in the car park at the end of the run.
35 km
27 minutes
Yes
No
-
Staying Safe
Easy.
Follow the Red Trail Markers for 'Buffalo Girl'
Non-existent.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Take water with you.
Can get very muddy after rain and gets quite icy in winter. I always take a camelbak with water and thermal gear in winter as it can get cold. To check weather conditions, look up the temperatures for 'Ngawaro', as this will be the most accurate. Check the Tect Park website for summer / winter hours and any events that may be on at the time.
You can generally get across the river crossing with dry feet by bouncing (carefully) across exposed rocks. Some parts of the trail are full of clay, and can be very slippery at any time of year (worse in winter).
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