Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Latham's Hill Track
Submitted by Mike Tennent
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 48 ?
5.7km
275m
275m
225m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Mike Tennent
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 10 ?
Gnarl Factor: 48 ?
5.7km
275m
275m
225m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.4%
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1:00
Slow
0:45
Moderate
0:30
Fast
There are a variety of options with this... I chose to run the loop anti-clockwise. This meant 1.5km of roadside to start with to get from the end of the trail where the car was parked to the beginning of the trail. Once you have done your penance on the road, climb the stile and follow the obvious track across the paddocks. You will go through several gates, make sure to leave them as you found them. The trail is marked with the usual orange triangles and you just follow these up the hill, into the bush and all the way to the trig. Once you have enjoyed the amazing views at the trig and snapped a few pics, carry on along the trail. From here it narrows quite a bit and is marked more sporadically with yellow squares. Then just follow these to the end of the trail, being careful on the big downhill at the end.
Options:
There is an option to do it in the other direction if steep downhills scare you... or do it out and back from either end of the trail section if you want to avoid the road
Great views of the Whakatane coast
Plenty of parking.
16 km
15 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Early on you come to a wide paddock with no obvious trail... you can see what looks like a farm track/trail to the right, but the actual trail is to the left and uphill.
Heading down the big hill at the end, the trail is not always obvious, but for most of it there is a rutted section which is the main route... so stick close to that.
This will spit you out right by your vehicle and ready for a swim.
Very patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
None that you can get (you see a small waterfall early on but it is unreachable)
The big downhill can be very slippery, especially in autumn/winter when wet, where the wet leaves can make life 'interesting'
The aforementioned downhill, not extreme, but requires care and attention.
Awakeri Hot Pools
Right at the end of you run... food, coffee and a hot swim or spa!
https://www.awakerisprings.co.nz/
Cos it's a great way to finish the run!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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I enjoyed this little track, I went ccw from the Hot Springs so did the climb first. Good views on this day. The O ly negative being the road section.
April 16, 2023
Nice trail - fortunately (I think) my navigation skills let me down, and I started the course in reverse. By the time I realised, there didn’t seem any point turning around, so I did it anti-clockwise.
I probably wouldn’t do it the other way to be honest.
Gives you a nice run down to the road at the end this way, rather than a killer you have to walk down (although you do have to walk up it instead)
September 1, 2022
Mixed bag this one. If you start at the Latham Track entrance that isn't at Awakeri Hot Springs it's a nice run up to the top with some lovely views. However, the descent round the other side which takes you to Awakeri Hot Springs is plenty steep and a killer on the feet. Thanks for sharing Mike.
September 6, 2020
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