Last Updated: 26th Sep 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

The Dragon amongst the Gums

Waipukurau, Hawkes Bay

Submitted by Melissa Franklin

Last Updated: 26th Sep 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Grunt Factor: 9 ?

Gnarl Factor: 22 ?

8.0km

145m

145m

190m

  

  

  

Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.

Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Plantation/exotic forest

Run Makeup

75%
25%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +5.3%

Average Downhill Gradient: -6.4%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

1:15

Slow

0:55

Moderate

0:45

Fast

Starting from the gate going up the driveway. As you go up the rise you will see a gate on right. Enter trails through this.

Your first climb is a zig zag up and on the third zig zag (after about 150m) you should see a trail going steeply up on your right coming off the trail you are on. Watch for this as its can be easily missed. Follow this trail as it weaves its way through the gums. At about 1.75km you should arrive at the top dam. Go right here and around the back on the dam and after about 150m you will see a trail on up the hill to your right.

Follow this upwards as it zig zags up the hill. You will arrive at the top of the hill and by the water tank you will see a gate on your right (it should be open) and the trail going down the other side of the hill you just came up. Follow this trail as it takes you around the backside of the park and you will eventually come up to the top of that zig zag climb you made up from the dam (about 5.8km into the run). Go left back down to the dam and instead of tracing back the way you came up from the bottom of the park, go right once you reach the dam and enjoy a cool run down the park and back to the gate and driveway.

Gum Trees and Dams

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

Plenty on parking on the road. No access via the driveway for cars.

4 km

7 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

No major issues, you can't really get too lost in this park.

Perfect throughout.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Whistle, First aid kit, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map

No water on course, don't drink from dams!

Can get quite muddy in winter and the sheep sometimes cut up the track.

Watch for sheep and mountain bikers

Trail Legend

AG

Alex Gunson

has completed The Dragon amongst the Gums twice in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

You and The Dragon amongst the Gums

As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.

Register Now

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

A great mix of up and down! Love it!

Bruce Perry

March 6, 2019

Login to submit a review

Trail Running Community

Find people who are interested in or have completed this trail run.

You must register or login to view this feature.

Register Now

Overlapping Trails

These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.

Gum Tree Farm Loop

Gum Tree Farm Loop

Length: 9.0km

Level: Beginner

Other trails nearby
Wet Feet Stomp

Wet Feet Stomp

Length: 20.0km

Level: Beginner

Longview Hut

Longview Hut

Length: 8.0km

Level: Intermediate - Experienced

Awatere Hut

Awatere Hut

Length: 5.0km

Level: Intermediate

TukiTuki Ups

TukiTuki Ups

Length: 10.0km

Level: Beginner

Find more trails and peaks nearby