Last Updated: 4th Jun 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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North Range Road Traverse

Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui

Submitted by Tim Carpenter

Last Updated: 4th Jun 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 18 ?

Gnarl Factor: 9 ?

23.6km

400m

700m

505m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

70%
30%

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.9%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

3:00

Slow

2:05

Moderate

1:40

Fast

All of the run is on gravel road or 4WD track.
The run passes private land including RADAR and wind farms, all of these gates are locked.
Run starts with around 3.5km of uphill on gravel road, before going onto 4WD tracks with some deep puddles which can be run around.
There is around 10km of this before coming back onto gravel access roads again.
There are 2 significant climbs, before passing the woolshed and beginning the descent - this is around 5km, there is an uphill bump in the middle.

You will need to have a car at the finish, or it is around 15km back to the start via road.

Good views of the Manawatu when the weather allows running along the ridge tops

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.

There is a gravel parking area at the start of the run

17 km

22 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Don't enter any closed gates, and follow the main road along the route

Patchy.

Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Not available.

Can be very cold and windy as exposed along the tops.
There can be some very deep puddles along the 4WD track.

There can be farm traffic and windfarm traffic on the road

Beyond the Bridge Cafe
Is at the finish

Trail Legend

Roy Haines

Roy Haines

has completed North Range Road Traverse once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

I have run this several times, and love it more and more every time, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the net downhill. Stunning views, plenty of mud and puddles and all fairly runnable. Just be mindful of the wind especially in the winter as it can be fairly warm but once yet get up on the ridge line the temperature can drop by a good couple of degrees. all in all a really fun run.

Sam Howard

September 18, 2021

Ran this trail while doing the north range trio and absolutely enjoyed it.... it was my longest trail run and I really enjoyed the variety of the run. Being up amongst the turbines and the views are amazing..

Wendy Watts

January 17, 2020

finally ticked this one off during the North Range Traverse event last weekend. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Favourite sections would be the muddy 4WD part and the fast downhill at the end (prepare for legs to take a beating though). Go on a reasonably calm day as obviously it gets windy up there amongst the windmills.

Kate Southern

September 2, 2019

Excellent! well run . Lovely course .

Martin Minnee

September 1, 2019

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