Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui
Submitted by Tim Carpenter
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 18
Gnarl Factor: 9
23.6km
400m
700m
505m
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Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Open tussock/grasslands
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.9%
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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
There is a gravel parking area at the start of the run
17 km
22 minutes
Unknown
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
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and North Range Road Traverse
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SH
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.
September 18, 2021
WW
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..
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.
September 2, 2019
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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