Bell Hill LoopBeginner
Submitted by Mike Tennent
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Very hilly
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestOpen farmlandsOpen ridges/tops
Beginner
2:00 (Slow)
1:30 (Moderate)
1:00 (Fast)
-11.7%
+11.4%
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Description
Pretty straightforward trail, however there are options. Leave the carpark up the main trail, straight away you are climbing and will be warmed up in no time. This is lovely typical NZ bush trail, some wonderful old trees and amazing ferns, large and small. Steep in sections and easier in others.
At around 2km you will pop out of the bush onto farmland (a couple of stiles to climb over) and slightly further you come to an intersection. Turn left towards Bell Rock (there is a sign). From here you have about 1.3km to Bell Rock with a couple of nasty up and downs.
Once you have reached the rock, after being amazed by the views through the farmland, be prepared to be blown away by the stunning rocks, both Bell Rock and those around it. After you have had your fill, back track to the intersection and then follow the 4WD/Farm track to the left. This takes you along the ridge with many more opportunities to see more rock formations and views, plus a sacred Maori bird burial sport (yes for real) and skirt the edge of some pest fencing.
Eventually you will reach the road, turn right and about 500m down the gravel road is the carpark.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Great views and some astounding rock formations
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 0%
Technical Single Track: 15%
Moderate Single Track: 25%
Easy Single Track: 20%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 30%
Gravel Road: 10%
Sealed Road: 0%
Route Data
Reviews:
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Access
The easiest way is to enter "Bell Rock Loop Track Parking" into Google Maps and you're away. Otherwise head north from Napier towards Gisborne, once you pass Lake Tutira you will come to the Tutira Store and an intersection with signs to Boundary Stream Mainland Island. Turn left onto this road (Matahourua Rd), at just after 5km you turn left into Pohokura Rd (Signposted for Boundary Stream). Follow this road for 12km, you will pass the main entrance to Boundary Stream with a lovely carved arch, after that watchout for the trailhead on your left.
Reasonable amount of roadside parking
61 km
67 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
If you are keen to run it all - or as much as possible - it may pay to do it anticlockwise... run up the road, into the top entry and up the ridge, returning down the other track.
Patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map.
No water to be had. Take your own.
The farm area could get quite slippery in the wet and it could get very very cold at over 1000m elevation on a cold winter's day.
Slip hazards on the farmland hills and fall hazards around Bell Rock and surrounds, care needed.
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