This route is named for the large number of farm gates you'll have to open and close. Start at the Rapaki Track trailhead and turn off the main path to join the Kowhai Walking Track. This singletrail zig-zags up the side of Montgomery Spur before emerging onto farmland on top of the spur. Follow the orange markers all the way up the spur - it's a bit of a grind, but this farm track is lovely and flowy on the way back down.
At the top there's a brief downhill before you rejoin the main Rapaki Track. Follow it across the saddle and begin to climb the next hill, keeping a lookout on your left for a stile partway up the hill. Cross the stile and join Jack's Track as it traverses around the head of the Avoca Valley.
Keep following Jack's Track northward until it loops around to the left. Hang a left onto Kotare Track, following it back towards the head of the valley until the next intersection. Here you need to turn hard right down Harakeke Track, a less-used singletrail that goes straight down the valley. At time of writing the trail was well cleared, but at times this area can become very overgrown. If you lose the trail, just keep following the drainage/stream - you can't go wrong as you will soon come to a fence & gate.
Turn left here and follow the farm track back up to Rapaki Saddle. Don't cross over to the main path - instead go through the deer gate to your right and follow the faint trail/sheep track towards the pylons and eventually to a gate which puts you back on the Kowhai Trail.
Follow the Kowhai Trail back the way you came and enjoy the downhill after all that climbing!
