Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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Burrton's Track Return

Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui

Submitted by Tim Carpenter

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 40 ?

Gnarl Factor: 22 ?

34.0km

1210m

1210m

500m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Run Makeup

30%
40%
30%

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.8%

Average Downhill Gradient: -8.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

7.00:00

Slow

5.00:00

Moderate

4.00

Fast

Head into Gordon Kear Forest, following the gravel road marked for Te Araroa, approx 5km. Heading up hill you will enter the reclaimed bush on rough 4WD track before reaching the entrance to Burrton's track on the R) at edge of Native Forest, this is well sign posted.
First few KM is very muddy, before hitting the big down hill which can be slippery.

You then cross No 1 stream, No 2 stream sidling along the valley until reaching the Tokomaru River CAREFUL IN HIGH FLOWS. Depending on flow you may need to choose your crossing point. You are aiming for around 50 metres upstream on the other bank where the orange triangle is.
Follow the trail through the wetlands (waratahs mark the way) exiting the clearing on the left.

Shortly you will cross the Tokomaru River again CAREFUL IN HIGH FLOW before continuing on through the bush to Burrton's site. From here you will cross swampy land, before entering bush again to continue onto rough 4WD tracks. When you reach the main gravel road, turn R) and there is a carpark in around 1-2km. Either arrange pick up from here (17km one way) or turn around and run back to the car.
The trip back has the large climb to negotiate toward the start of the run.

Takes you past the Whare site of James Burrton's original farm location

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Remote parking on roadside

27 km

39 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Route is well marked, follow the trail and the Te Araroa signs when on the FOrestry Roads.

Non-existent.

Lightweight fleece top, Short-sleeved thermal top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map

You can refill at the river crossings.

It is wet at any time of the year underfoot.

It is a shared trail with Mountain Bikers, you are unlikely to see any.
Take care in the forestry section if during the week.

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Trail Reviews

This was an exciting adventure. Lots of track clearing has been done in the later half of the track making it much more user friendly. Plenty of mud. We took full advantage of the river crossings to cool off and refill water.

Katrina Gurnick

December 7, 2019

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