Last Updated: 19th Mar 2024

Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Knights - Shorts loop track with Toka peak

Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui

Submitted by Vee (Veerle) Geens

Last Updated: 19th Mar 2024

Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 43 ?

Gnarl Factor: 76 ?

13.5km

1185m

1170m

1516m

  

  

  

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

Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Loop

Very hilly

Native bush

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

10%
20%
70%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +17.2%

Average Downhill Gradient: -17.0%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

5:00

Slow

4:00

Moderate

2:30

Fast

This is a beautiful classic day walk in the Ruahine Forest Park and quite fun to run as well.

Start at the Limestone carpark and run the first couple of hundred meters over farmland before crossing a river (depending on the amount of rain you may end up with wet feet at this crossing) and start the track through the bush.

Going up Knights track the beginning is quite undulating until you reach the river for a second time. After crossing the river and the grassy patch the real climb begins. Classic Ruahine steep climb to the ridges. Enjoy all the beautiful bush (tall Rimu, changing to the leatherwoods and grasses on the open tops).

Once you reach the top of the track you can go have a short detour to Toka peak which offers on a beautiful day incredible views all across the ranges with fabulous views of Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, and the Central Plateau and Mount Taranaki.

Retreat your steps and now follow the Shorts track which is lovely running across the tops for some time before dipping back into the bush and descending down.

The last couple of km's are wonderful running.

Make sure to check the weather before setting off as this track is partially on the open tops! The wind can be absolutely ruthless and snow can be expected in winter.

The track is well marked.

You can do this in either direction; the Knights track is shorter and steeper, while the Shorts track is a bit longer and less steep (though still pretty steep in places).

If you run the ridge from the Shorts track back down (or the opposite), be sure to watch out for a New Zealand falcon flying over, it seems to be living there and is a beauty.

Couple of carparks available, no public toilet at the start.

78 km

73 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

The track is pretty clear, orange triangles in the bush, poles on the tops. Careful in bad weather as visibility can drop on the tops!

Very patchy.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map.

There is water from the river at the beginning of the track, but afterwards no clean water (or bring a water purifier for the tarn water if desperate).

Can get very muddy after rain, exposed to cold winds on tops at any time of year, snow on the tops in winter, check the forecast!

You and Knights - Shorts loop track with Toka peak

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

I have done this trail on the 6th of March 2022. It was a hot, cloudless day and the final climb to the junction was brutal once clear of the tree cover.
I am not as fit as many on this site, and there was no running, but it was a great day's hike. A real challenge.
I didn't time myself, but now that I am on this, I will have to start.

Daryl Bastin

February 4, 2023

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.

Ngamoko Range Traverse

Ngamoko Range Traverse

Length: 32.5km

Level: Experienced

Other trails nearby
Dam Block Link

Dam Block Link

Length: 14.4km

Level: Beginner

Summerhill Tracks

Summerhill Tracks

Length: 9.5km

Level: Beginner

He Ara Kotahi - Bridge to Linton

He Ara Kotahi - Bridge to Linton

Length: 11.7km

Level: Beginner

Northern Tararua Traverse

Northern Tararua Traverse

Length: 71.0km

Level: Intermediate - Experienced

Find more trails and peaks nearby