Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Tangihua Transmitter Loop
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 31 ?
Gnarl Factor: 70 ?
13.3km
1000m
1000m
550m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 31 ?
Gnarl Factor: 70 ?
13.3km
1000m
1000m
550m
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Very hilly
Native bush
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -14.9%
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4:30
Slow
3:30
Moderate
2:10
Fast
Variety is the name of the game on this run. The opening few kilometers head up a gravel road directly towards the ranges. A nice warm up and a chance to view the climb to come. Just after entering the bushline, take a track on the right, this is the beginning of the singletrack. From here follow the usual orange triangles.
Take the right branch at the intersections that come in the first few kilometers, being sure to follow the signs towards the Horokaka Trig. The climb gets gruntier towards the top. Near the tower emerge onto a very short section of tarseal up to the tower.
From the tower take the Main Ridge track (it starts behind a small building). After 35 mins for an elite runner, you will reach "fork junction". This loop goes left down Te Haua Ura trail (going right is rather overgrown but can be done as an out and back, allow plenty of time). Te Haua Ura drops height rapidly. Near the base is the Kauri grove (worth a look), before the trails get progressively easier to rejoin the gravel road at the Lions Lodge. Go straight past the lodge and follow the road back to the bushline and the last few kms (same as the start) back to the car.
This trail includes the peak Horokaka.
The access road leads to the Tangihua Lions Lodge, this is used for school camps and has a bunch of small trails nearby including to an old Kauri Dam and a high ropes course. There is also an impressive Kauri grove just up the Te Haua Ura track (this short out and back would work for beginners).
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Parking is in a gravel carpark just off the road. Pretty quiet part of the world with not much traffic.
35 km
36 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Whole trail is on tracks, with signs at all junctions. Along the ridgeline take care to keep checking for orange triangles, while it is difficult to completely lose the trail, it is a little indistinct in places.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries
Few creeks on the way down that are OK.
None specifically. Would be much wetter later winter and correspondingly slower going.
The top ridge section has some very steep and rooty sections.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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This run is not for the faint of heart or the bigger Clydsdales like myself.(105kg) I found the steep climbs very tough going but then I am pretty new to trail running. I didn't think there was a lot of the trail that was runnable and if wet would be very dangerous in places. But the views are absolutely awesome and apart from nearly having a heart attack in a few places really enjoyed. Will attempt it again when I have a bit more experiance and are fitter.
January 19, 2021
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