Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Henderson Tramline - Kaimai
Submitted by Linda Downes
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 16 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
12.0km
365m
365m
604m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Linda Downes
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 16 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
12.0km
365m
365m
604m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Riverside
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +4.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -5.3%
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2:20
Slow
1:40
Moderate
1:10
Fast
This run is a loop so please note you will have a small section of running down Old Kaimai Road. Depending on where you park is whether you will run this at the start or the end of your run. Please note dogs allowed by permit only - contact DoC for more information on how to get one.
Parking at the North Henderson tramline sign and running down Old Kaimai road to the Tuakopae Bridge - the start of The West Henderson Tramline Track - is a nice easy warm up. As soon as you enter the West Henderson Tramline there is a little waterfall and a DoC sign. It's straight into a gradual climb with tree roots and plenty of obstacles around. Keep your eye out for the orange DoC triangles at all times as in a few areas you may think you're on track but could have gone astray (like many people have.) If you come up to orange ribbons hanging in trees you have gone the wrong way, go back until you find the triangles again.
The track is quite muddy in areas, especially where the old tramline sleepers are. You will come to a junction and here you will turn right. You will now be on the North - South track heading toward the North Henderson Tramline, following your DoC orange triangles. The North - South track is a bit easier to run and you can get a bit of a rhythm in a few places.
You will come to a grassy area and a junction, here you turn right onto the North Henderson Tramline. This is gradual downhill track and can be very muddy. Getting closer to the end there are a couple of stream crossings - wet feet! and if it's summer, why not cool off? You will soon see a farm fence - wind through bush a little more and out you come into a paddock and head up to the car (if that is where you parked)
Old Tramline, Waterfalls, River crossings & Swimming holes
There are 2 different places you can park. Option 1- In the gravel car park at the start of the West Henderson Tramiline. Option 2 - Around 1.5km further down Old Kaimai Road on the left hand side of the road there is limited parking space beside the entrance of the North Henderson track (Visible DoC sign)
This guide uses Option 2.
29 km
26 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
On the West Henderson it is easy to take a wrong turn - by the looks many others have too. always watch for the orange triangles and you will be fine.
Patchy.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries
Streams are clean and probably ok to drink
Mud on around the old tramline sleepers.
Rivers too dangerous to cross after heavy rain
Can be cold as the Kaimais seems to have its own weather sometimes
River crossings, be careful
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Henderson Tramline - Kaimai
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JF
Very runnable compared to many of the other tracks in the kaimais. A few tough and steep sections (and the old mud bogs) but lots of smooth fast bits too. My tracking only gave this 300m of elevation gain.
September 4, 2023
Really liked this one! A bit muddy in parts but nothing major. Most of it was runable for me. Some of the steeper more technical bits I wasn't able to run. Head up and eyes on the orange triangles at all times! It's not just a matter of following the track on this one as there are trapping tracks off the main track in lots of places. Super easy to go wrong especially when you need to navigate around fallen trees and the like. Loads of fun :)
October 3, 2020
Nothing more to say than what Anthony and Lauren have said. Great little loop, and sooooo accessible off SH29, but dead silent in the bush. Make sure you watch for the orange triangles (NOT the orange ribbons) at about 2.6km in. Very easy to run off the correct track. Generally very well marked all the way through and sign posts at the junctions. Have fun!!!
July 29, 2020
A good fast trail through the bush, nice and sheltered from the elements, very wet underfoot if its been raining. River crossings passable without getting your feet wet. But, in my case they were so wet already that I took great joy in splashing through each and every one like the big kid that I am!!
July 15, 2020
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