Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Coppermine Loop & Mine

Woodville, Manawatu - Wanganui

Submitted by Mike Tennent

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 22 ?

Gnarl Factor: 70 ?

8.4km

750m

750m

726m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Very hilly

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Riverside

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

20%
20%
55%
5%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +16.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -14.2%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

Not suitable

Slow

2:00

Moderate

1:10

Fast

Starting at the carpark, the first thing you will see is a sign just over the fence for the farm route...DON'T GO THAT WAY! Look to the left and you will see a signboard with some info on it... head to the left of that and follow the trail.

The slope is really nice, having been designed way back for mining gear to go up and down. About 2km in you will come to the first intersection, a trail veers off to the right and down (skip that but take note, we will go down there later), and 20 metres further on the main trail to Wharite Peak trail goes to the left... save that for another day and carry on towards the Mine.

You will come to a sign warning you not to go further if the stream is up - TAKE NOTE OF THIS - there is lots of stream work after this, crossings and traversing your way upstream for quite a way. At times you will lose sight of an orange triangle, but don't despair, keep heading upstream and you will find one. Eventually you get to the signs for the old mine that served as an ammunition magazine in WW2. This requires another wee crossing of the stream but your feet are probably a bit damp by now anyway.

The mine looks to be still accessible, but you'll need a headlamp. After that, back over the stream and follow the sign up the hill to the Mine (about 450m). Once there you will find a sign telling you about the mines that have been filled in. Now retrace your steps all the way back to the turn-off previously mentioned at the 2km point. Turn left here and head down and over the stream (again) and then get ready to climb - 385 vertical in about 2.4km - often using root ladders to climb, a great test and a lot of fun (wouldn't want to try it on a muddy winter day tho). Several times you will think you have made the top, only to be disabused of that around the next corner.

Eventually though you will get there and the downhill is almost all runnable, a nice slope and you will cruise down (with an occasional little up) until you hit the fence for the farmland. The initial indication is to carry on down the bush side of the fence - DON'T - it soon becomes overgrown and unpassable. So climb over the fence into the farmland and follow the fenceline down. Eventually you will see a DOC sign and from there down you follow the white poles down a farm track. Just take care... towards the end the carpark will come into sight below you, after that and just before a little streamlet across the track there is a sharp right turn off the track you are on, that you can easily miss. Once you see it you will see the white poles down the hill. One more stream crossing and you are back at the car!

A bit of everything, stream crossings, disused mines, massive climbs and great views

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.

A bit of parking, not likely to be crowded

14 km

16 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Just stick to the stream when you get to that part, heading up until you will pretty clearly see where to leave.

Very patchy.

Waterproof leggings, 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, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries

Plenty of water around the course

I would imagine that this is best as a summer course unless you are a masochist! If that uphill got muddy it would be hell and the downhills would be a bit dodgy too!

There are a few historic slips that you need to take care crossing, the route is very clear, just be careful.

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Trail Reviews

Great wee loop and was cool to see the magazine. Was quite muddy so my descent was a bit slow. You can now follow the doc signs and stay on the bush side of the farm until it tells you to cross because it has been cut down assumedly while they were fixing the slip areas.

Holly Barclay

September 12, 2021

It's open again. The best trail I've found near Palmy so far. A bit of everything with some great views and a more remote feel than you'd expect.

Kate Annan

May 15, 2021

I Just did this on 30th Dec 2019. This track is still closed so it's your choice whether to go or not but I can definitely recommend this loop. My Strava only recorded the entire loop and mine site sections as a total of 8km NOT 12km. There is 5 slips from memory and all of them are passable. 4 of the slips are super easy to pass and the 5th is definitely passable but you have to climb down into it and then up the edge on the other side just before the mine site. I personally don't feel this track is unsafe but you should take the usual amount of care you would normally take on narrow paths.The down hill section is an enjoyable down hill run. Definitely go to the left at the start of the loop and go up towards the magazine and mine site. You can even skip the magazine and mine site part out as the rest of the track is perfectly fine with no slips. Expect wet feet from the stream if you go to the mine site. And don't go after heavy rain.

Nathan Martin

January 1, 2020

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