Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Haruru Falls Trek
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 12
Gnarl Factor: 17
11.3km
140m
140m
28m
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Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 12
Gnarl Factor: 17
11.3km
140m
140m
28m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Riverside
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.0%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.1%
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1:30
Slow
1:05
Moderate
0:45
Fast
Having ran the track the day before as part of the Paihia half, I returned to do the out and back the following day. At that point I was relatively new to trail running. Oh my word, what a delight it was to get started on this trail. It's not a very difficult technical run, but undulating small hills to get your heart going. The views along the way are well worth the effort.
Care needs to be taken on the boardwalk as you cross the estuary as it can get quite slippery. Also as you'd expect parts of the route are also slippery when wet.
It's nearly impossible to get lost, it's obvious where you are going and look outs are well signposted.
If you are in the area, this is a must do. It's small enough for beginners and I do know of an experienced trail running friend of mine who did the out and back 4 times in one go, he liked it that much.
Passing through a mature mangrove forest, you will see many native flora and fauna including shags, heron and kingfishers. As the name suggests, the Harura falls are at the 5km mark before you turn around and return to Waitangi.
The waterway itself was part of NZ's first river port and was an integral part of the first European settlement. As you would expect there are lots of information panels for you read along the way.
Loads of parking on road and there is a car park. Waitangi is a short walk/run from Paihia township.
2 km
5 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Very easy to follow.
Perfect throughout.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, Cellphone, Map.
Don't recall seeing any water fountains.
In the winter, it's slippery
Slippery when wet.
Jimmy Jacks Rib Shack
Paihia
None listed - see their facebook page
We went there the night before the Paihia Half, great food, try the Pastrami sandwich
Sauce
Paihia
None listed - see their facebook page
Great Pizzas and craft beers!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Easy and very pleasant running on a well formed gently undulating course with lots of magic views and a mangrove boardwalk section. Very peaceful area.
At the start I would recommend to park at te tiriti o waitangi museum carpark if you have a car ( there's bike racks there too).
From there, cross road ( tau henare drive) to pavement on left and walk/run100m up to gravel path ( not signposted) that leads to track. Or you can go in via haruru falls car park a bit further up. I didn't park here because I have heard of break ins and it's a bit secluded whereas the waitangi museum car park has lots of people coming and going.
After the run Te Whare Waka cafe is a nice place to have a drink and some kai.
If you have spare time in the area I highly recommend the Waitangi mountain bike park with the most awesome forest trails. I think a must do for any active persn visiting the Bay of Islands. You can hire bikes there and there's a decent cafe and tracks for all skill levels.
May 10, 2021
Really cool trail. I started in the dark and went down the gravel road from the car park rather than the trail. This meant I spent about 20 mins running round the golf course trying to find the track! If you do it in the light the start of the track is really obvious! Track itself is pretty cool and easy to run. The bridges across the bridges have good views and the waterfall at the end is pretty special! As I went early doors the track was empty other than the hens having breakfast on the picnic table!
April 21, 2019
Awesome little run. Was staying across the road at the Copthorne Resort, so was super easy to find any get to. My GPS came back a bit shorter...10.3km from the door of the Copthorne, with about 500m to the track start. Lovely undulating hills, nothing too challenging in the terrain, but some good single track and forest floor rooty-combo's; and a great variety of types of bush and mangroves to run through. Perfect start to the day before hitting the breakfast buffet!It's all in the Kiwi-Zone, so no dogs allowed (Not even on leashes).
September 24, 2018
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