Harwoods GoldBeginner
Submitted by Stephanie Berry
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Undulating, small hills only
Native bushOpen farmlandsOpen tussock/grasslands
Beginner
2:30 (Slow)
2:00 (Moderate)
1:15 (Fast)
-4.1%
+3.6%
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Description
Start your run by heading out the track marked Harwoods Hole ... it's 2.5kms of glorious single track with some boulder scrambling and tight sections but so much fun. Watch for lots of mud in winter. Be careful at the hole ... it's not fenced off and you wouldn't survive a fall. It's fun scrambling around the rocks but you can't see down the shaft so don't try. Once you've had your fill head back the way you came. Once back at the carpark, take the left hand track onto Gold Creek loop. There's a bit of a climb across farmland on 4 Wheel drive tracks with stunning views on a clear day. There's a couple of fords to cross so you'll get wet feet. When you come to a junction in the track take the right hand track and then you're back on single track for an awesome blat through bush back to the car park.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Harwoods Hole ... the deepest vertical shaft in New Zealand (176 metres). A water-enlarged (but now dry) sinkhole, it drops to an underground river that emerges below and flows into Gorge Creek and then into the Takaka River.
Make Up of Run
Moderate Single Track: 60%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 40%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each

Canaan Wainui Loop
Length: 30.20km
Photos:
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Access
From Motueka travel the Takaka Road and at the top you turn right onto Canaan Road and follow this for 11kms where you will find a camping area, toilets and water and the start of the track. The road is unsealed and narrow in places. Take extra care in winter when snow may be lying on the road.
Plenty of parking.
33 km
56 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
Non-existent.
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 blanket, Cellphone, Map.
Water available at Carpark
Very muddy in parts in winter. Cold and exposed to wind on a cold weather day.
Take care around Harwoods Hole … it's a big drop if you get too close to the edge. Be Aware.
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See other runs nearby:
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Canaan Wainui Loop
Salisbury over Arthur
Leslie Karamea Wangapeka Ultra
The Ellis
Canaan to Birds Clearing
Mt. Campbell Climb
The Trails of Mot
Takaka Hill Walkway
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