Last Updated: 30th May 2025
Whakapapanui Track
National Park, Manawatu - Wanganui
Submitted by Orla Drylie
Last Updated: 30th May 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 11 ?
6.3km
160m
160m
1144m
Last Updated: 30th May 2025
National Park, Manawatu - Wanganui
Submitted by Orla Drylie
Last Updated: 30th May 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 11 ?
6.3km
160m
160m
1144m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Riverside
Open tussock/grasslands
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +5.2%
Average Downhill Gradient: -4.7%
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1:00
Slow
0:45
Moderate
0:30
Fast
Start at the Chateau and go straight down the main road. For the first 1km, you will be able to run on the grass (the old golf course) in front of the Chateau, before running on the road. There is enough of a gravel patch to keep you well off the road. After 2.2km, cross the road carefully when you see a sign for Whakapapanui Walk. Follow this track back to Whakapapa Village. There are two tiny detours down to the left hand side en-route. Good views of the river if you do these short out-and-backs. The track will come eventually come out on Bruce Road, opposite the Fire Stations. Couple of hundred metres down the road and you're back at The Chateau
Running along the stream. Mt Ngauruhoe Mt Ruapehu Chateau Tongariro
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.
Bruce Road or Ngauruhoe Terrace/Place
16 km
13 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Just keep to the left and you won't go wrong. Once you turn off the main road on to the track, follow all signs for Whakapapa Village
Perfect throughout.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
No water en route, but water available in the village at the holiday village and The Chateau
The main road can get quite icy during winter months.
Be wary of cars, especially with sun strike being an issue at certain times of the day
Pihanga Cafe and T-Bar
Chateau Tongariro, Whakapapa Village
https://www.chateau.co.nz/food-drinks/pihanga-cafe-and-t-bar/
Good variety of meals, with coffee/beers etc. Open 7 days
Tussock Bar and Restaurant
Whakapapa Village
https://www.chateau.co.nz/food-drinks/tussock-bar-restaurant/
Good variety of meals, roaring fire, relaxed atmosphere
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Such a lovely place to run, not so much with the wind chill and cold rain as ran in on the day doing this trail (good test for the gear!). But when you go away to do the crossing and it gets cancelled the second best thing is to find a smaller wildthings track to do instead ;-). Road section was a good warm up of the legs but the bush section I can see why it would be a good out and back. No mountains were to be seen boooo!
September 8, 2020
Another of my favourite runs which I've lost count how many times I've done...Again, prefer out and back along the track, rather than looping along the roadside. I Love popping out the track on the downhill, because the reward of seeing Ngaruhoe! Before returning back up the track to the village
April 17, 2020
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.
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