Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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Cape Reinga to Spirits Bay

Kaitaia, Northland

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

I've done it Done

Save Trail Save

Suggest edit Edit

Open

Grunt Factor: 35

Gnarl Factor: 48

24.5km

Length of run

730m

Total Ascent

880m

Total Descent

261m

Highest point

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Run Makeup

30%

15%

20%

10%

25%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.6%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.9%

Trailhead

Estimated Times to Run

4:00

Slow

3:00

Moderate

2:00

Fast

GPX File

Topo Map

3D Satellite

Guide

Head from car park at Cape Reinga towards lighthouse on footpath. Look out for track that heads east part way towards lighthouse. Track is well marked from there. When you hit beach at Spirits Bay it may be a good point to turn around it doing an out and back. It can be a bit of a slog along beach. Campground at the eastern end of Spirits Bay has DOC toilets and facilities. There are a couple of other campgrounds that you pass along the way.

Look out for swimming holes on left when coming down into Pandora campground. Good place to cool off.

Transport and parking:

Lots of parking at the start and at the end of this trail. If you want to do this one way, you will need to organise to have a second car or someone to pick you up at the other end. Can otherwise do an out and back run, turning around at any point along the course.

Distance from Kaitaia:

111 km

Driving time from Kaitaia:

92 minutes

Dog friendly:

Unknown

Landowner permission required:

Navigation Rating:

Easy.

Navigation Tips:

Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .

Track is well marked but hard to go wrong. Stick to coast and head eastwards.

Cellphone Coverage:

Unknown.

Suggested Gear List:

Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone.

Availability of Water:

I ran with a hydration pack. Very hot in summer - take plenty of water. I assume there is water available at campgrounds along the way, but not 100% certain on that.

Seasonality Issues:

Fairly typical Northland track. May be some muddy / slippery spots after rain, but due to coastal and hilly nature will generally hold up well.

Hazards:

Occasionally some steep drop-offs near track.

Houhora Four Square / Wharf Store / Takeaways
Houhora
https://www.facebook.com/HouhoraWharfFourSquare/
Great post run pies :)

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