Last Updated: 13th Nov 2023
Town Basin, Whangarei Falls & Parihaka
Last Updated: 13th Nov 2023
Grunt Factor: 19
Gnarl Factor: 25
15.8km
620m
620m
223m
Last Updated: 13th Nov 2023
Last Updated: 13th Nov 2023
Grunt Factor: 19
Gnarl Factor: 25
15.8km
620m
620m
223m
Urban fringe
Combo
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Riverside
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.7%
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2:30
Slow
1:40
Moderate
1:20
Fast
There are an endless number of configurations to run in this area. This particular one starts at the Whareora Road carpark and travels North East along Whareora Road to the AH Reed Memorial Park Entrance. Follow trail that goes northwards alongside the Hatea River all the way to the falls and then return the same way but taking a left turn to the canopy walkway (in the AH Reed Memorial Park) at about 4.4 kms in.
Follow canopy walkway over wooden viaduct and then straight up onto Whareora Road. Run back to where you started and then turn left into Hatea River Track. Stay on track until turn-off on left for Dobbie Track. Take Dobbie Track up to summit of Parihaka and then exit on the opposite side (south-eastern side of the viewing platform) down Ross Track. At bottom of Ross Track enter Dundas Road and carry on to Riverside Drive.
Turn right westwards along Riverside Drive and just before getting to the bridge take track to right of bridge that follows Hatea River northwards. Follow track signposts including along Ewing Road, taking track at end to Vale Road and then enter onto Hatea River Track. Keep going until there is a right turn up Drummond Track. Take Drummond Track to just short of Summit, keeping left so that you go back down Dobbie Track and then back to car park.
This loop takes in the sights of the Whangarei Falls, the AH Reed Memorial Park with canopy walkway through Kauri Forest, the Hatea River and the view from the top of Parihaka.
Plenty of parking available.
3 km
6 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
Generally good.
Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Cellphone.
Water available at A H Reed Park entrance.
Track sections are well maintained and are generally always in good condition with little mud and mostly gravel.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Town Basin, Whangarei Falls & Parihaka
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ATTN: This awesome trail is NOT do able currently ( as of 24/2/23) as the whole of parihaka maunga is closed and off limits due to damage to tracks including large slips from cyclone Gabriella
February 24, 2023
GD
Great run - early on Christmas Day.
Started and finished at the Whangarei Falls (sort of, actually Kamo). A cool, well maintained, rolling track with stairs up to the summit of Parihaka and beautiful views throughout.
December 25, 2021
This is lovely low stress running ( although there's fair bit of lung busting uphill) which showcases some of the real beauties of Whangarei; a short walk/ run from the city and you get beautiful native bush with mature kauri, the Whangarei falls, stunning canopy walkway, smaller cascades, rivers with good swimming holes and expansive views across city, harbor and sea. If you were a tourist and a runner/ tramper with limited time, this trail, plus recovery coffee or cold beverage at the town basin after, would give you a real bang for your bucks. Tracks are quite popular on a nice day. It's slower to run than it used to be ( not just because of my declining fitness!!) because lots of steps have been put in. You can add onto this circuit with loops of mackesy and goetzee track and lots of other little side trips to eg pa site and more waterfalls
May 20, 2020
Great run. Was staying near the Falls so did (most of it) after work.
November 18, 2017
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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