Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Waipohatu Loop

Wyndham, Southland

Submitted by Mike Tennent

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 12 ?

Gnarl Factor: 32 ?

8.6km

240m

240m

180m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Riverside

Run Makeup

18%
40%
30%
12%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:20

Slow

1:00

Moderate

0:40

Fast

The sign for the start of the trail is pretty obvious just past the carpark. From there there is only one trail and for the first 600m it is pristine gravel trail through lovely bush.

Then you come out on the forestry road. The waterfall trail is clearly signposted over the road - follow the grass track for a couple of hundred metres and then back into the bush. Now the trail is what you came for.... tree roots, a bit of mud, and some great running. You cruise along nicely climbing very gradually until at about 1.6km it all changes... and up you go!!!

About 100m vert in the next 1km, then it's ups and downs until about 2.3km and the sign for the waterfalls... head left down this trail. After a wee bit you come to a T intersection with orange triangles pointing both ways. Head left first and down to Waterfall #1. You can get wet feet and get pretty close if you're brave enough.

Grab some pics and head back up to the double triangles and head down the other branch to Waterfall #2. It's very different to the first waterfall but still impressive. Once you have your fill head back up to the top and turn left back on to the main trail, which undulates over rooty, technical terrain through more beautiful bush. With about 1.2km to go you get spat out onto a 4WD track - time to open up and bolt down the hill. The last little bit is fast and flat, then you are done!

Wonderful virgin native bush, two very cool waterfalls.

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Generous size carpark.

54 km

50 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Very patchy.

Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries

Plenty of stream access through most of the run.

Can be muddy after rain.

Lots of steep ups and downs that require care, especially if it's wet.

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Trail Reviews

Definitely over grown in places but so much fun! Got mud to my knees a couple of times along the river. Stunning bush - didn't see another person while I was there :)

Marcia Ferguson

July 19, 2021

Beautiful run, hard to run the punga log sections as they’re a bit overgrown and lumpy but otherwise it’s lovely bush and the waterfalls are stunning

Anna Scheirlinck

January 5, 2021

A wee gem of a run through beautiful virgin bush. Reminded me of running in the Waitakeres back in the day. Pretty technical/rooty/muddy in places but SO much fun!

Malcolm Law

September 11, 2020

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