Most of these kilometres need to be properly earned, so wear your best trail shoes — ideally a pair you're not too precious about.
Starting from the Morere Springs carpark, follow SH2 north for around 800m before turning right onto Tunanui Road. Continue for another 600m and look for the DOC sign on your right marking the start of the track.
The trail begins on a muddy 4WD track leading towards a small cemetery. Turn left here and follow the orange DOC markers. From this point on, the route wastes very little time getting down to business.
The first half of the track is the toughest section. Expect steep climbs, roots, steps, slippery ground, mud and several stream crossings. It's a challenging stretch that will have you working hard, but the surrounding native bush and occasional views provide plenty of reward for the effort.
After the high point, the track becomes more runnable as it descends back towards the hot springs. The downhill offers some welcome relief, although tired legs may have their own opinion on the matter.
Near the end of the loop you'll pass the free foot baths, which feel surprisingly well placed after a few hours on the trail. They're worth a quick stop before heading back to the carpark.
Allow plenty of time for this one and take it at a pace that suits the conditions. Parts of the track pass through dense bush and can feel quite dark even during the day, so an early start is a good idea. The trail can also become extremely muddy and slippery after heavy rain, making it a considerably tougher outing than the distance alone might suggest.
