Last Updated: 11th Sep 2025
Tawa Loop - Manawatu Gorge
Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui
Submitted by Tim Carpenter
Last Updated: 11th Sep 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
3.4km
220m
220m
287m
Last Updated: 11th Sep 2025
Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui
Submitted by Tim Carpenter
Last Updated: 11th Sep 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
3.4km
220m
220m
287m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Native bush
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -15.3%
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1:00
Slow
0:35
Moderate
0:20
Fast
From the car park head along the track next to the main road, and then cross under the road at the bridge.
Follow the track around until the junction and choose a direction (loop can be done both ways).
Follow the track to the top and follow signs to complete the downhill loop.
To extend, instead of starting down, continue straight up the track and you can run through to the Woodville end of the gorge, or complete laps of the loop for hill reps.
There is also the lookout down to the 'Big Slip'.
At the top of the loop there is a large metal Maori statue with history of the area.
Great piece of native bush, good for spotting Kereru
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.
Plenty of parking is available
17 km
18 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Generally good.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Take your own
Normal exposure to the elements
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Beautiful loop on a nicely maintained trail. The start of the track as per the gpx has been permanently closed. Instead a new track has been made that immediately follows switchbacks up the hill. The net result is slightly longer and more vert. The southern part of the Tawa loop is also being worked on and looks like it is periodically closed at the moment.
Monday at 3:15pm
SH
Awesome everyday run, easily run to and from Ashhurst. Can get busy during weekends and public holidays but if you go early enough you can miss the crowds. A firm fave for me.
May 12, 2021
We did this one a few years back, combining two outdoors fun pursuits with one- geocaching and trails
March 21, 2020
WW
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