Last Updated: 13th May 2025
Harwoods Gold
Last Updated: 13th May 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 26 ?
10.0km
190m
190m
812m
Last Updated: 13th May 2025
Last Updated: 13th May 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 26 ?
10.0km
190m
190m
812m
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +3.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -4.1%
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2:30
Slow
2:00
Moderate
1:15
Fast
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.
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.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Plenty of parking.
33 km
56 minutes
Unknown
No
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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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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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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