Description

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.

Features of interest

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).

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 70%

Moderate Single Track: 15%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 4%

Gravel Road: 10%

Sealed Road: 1%

Route Data