Tutira trigBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Lyn Stanton
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestOpen farmlandsOpen ridges/tops
Beginner - Intermediate
2:00 (Slow)
2:30 (Moderate)
1:00 (Fast)
-10.9%
+12.3%
Closed Track for first part of loop is closed for logging until June 2022. Can still do straight up and back to summit. Info at hbrc.govt.nz search #tutira
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Description
This is a short but very satisfying run, excellent if you find yourself with a free half day in the Napier area. Could also satisfy walking members of party.
Starting from stile by gate at road end, take the left track at the immediate fork for a gentle 2k of easy grassy single track by the forest edge, cattle for company. Then on farm road. There are coloured posts to follow. Gradually climbs into forest and then to a junction where a walker can loop back to the start (4 easy km altogether). The blue signs are very confusing as the arrows don't seem to relate well to the actual tracks!
Ignore the 4wd track up the pine forest ridge and keep left on the grassier 4wd track for a gentler climb. This becomes very muddy in places and watch out for ongaonga (stinging nettle). Track undulates a bit winding up the hill keep following posts with orange tops. Around 4k emerge from forest and climb steeply up on a grassy track to a saddle with some great views. Better to come. There is a sign indicating a lower track or to continue to summit. Take the left route - the track is not obvious underfoot but if you look up you can see a couple of orange topped poles on the skyline - head for those, its quite a steep grassy scramble.
Awesome views as you reach the top ridgeline and then it is an obvious down and up to the trig itself. Time for selfie! All downhill now and will be very fast for the skilled downhill runner. Follow the posts. This route takes the shorter route back to the carpark - there is a signposted junction where you could take a slightly longer option (Pere's Track) which will bring you back to the lake via the small adjacent Lake Waikopiro and the access road. Either way once you reach the access road/lakeside turn right past the campground to where you parked. Picnic tables and a swim in the lake await!
Trail Community
Features of interest
Fantastic views from top of inland Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges and coastal Hawke’s Bay from Mahia Peninsula to Cape Kidnappers
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 40%
Easy Single Track: 20%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 40%
Route Data
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Access
Access to Lake Tutira is from State Highway 2 about 40min north of Napier. Follow the lakeside gravel road past the camping area to a closed farm gate where there is a rather generalised map. You pass some better maps by the lake carpark.
There is space for a couple of cars by the gate, or further back along the approach road.
40 km
39 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Moderate.
Mentioned in description - there are more tracks on the ground than on the map so keep an eye out for the orange topped poles and don't try to understand the logic behind the arrows on the blue signboards!
Patchy.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
No water on trail. Toilets and water near start/finish at campground.
The section of climb through the forest after the short loop junction was very muddy in places after October/November rain.
Forest section has ongaonga (stinging nettle) in abundance including overhanging track. Do NOT grab this to stabilise in mud! Really hurts and lasts for a few days. Top section of route is very exposed - great views but could be a bit rough in wind/rain. Signposting is a bit haphazard in places - topo map helpful. If it is a nice day you do have the lake below you to keep your bearings!
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