Description

The route described starts at the small carpark at the beginning of the Dun Mountain Trail at the start of Tantragee Road, but you can do a shorter option and park at the Waimarama Sanctuary Carpark and follow the Fenceline from there either way. Run the fence line clockwise, at least the first time ...you will see why !!

From Tantragee Road the track follows the Dun Mountain Trail until you meet the Fence where you can continue along the trail or drop down and follow the fence all the way to Third House Shelter. Before you reach the shelter ensure you fill your water bottles from any streams as this is the last water and the shelter has no water.

From the shelter you head west along a short track to meet the fence which you now follow all the way back to the Carpark keeping it on your right shoulder. The track is actually a 4 wheel drive track and is one big series of rollercoaster hills through beech forest with views into the higher Richmond Ranges. You carry on along to Jenkins Hill where you now turn north again staying with the fence on your right shoulder.

The Fence now drops down the steep Jenkins hill ridge with fantastic views out over Nelson City and across Tasman Bay. The track is steep and in places steps have been cut into the gravel which is great!   Eventually you reach the Brook stream and there is an easy ford across the river which in low flow you can cross keeping feet dry. You are now at the Sanctuary Carpark. If you're parked back at Tantragee Road it's an easy footpath run 2 km down the road.

Features of interest

The Dun Mountain Trail is along New Zealand's oldest railway line so there are Interp panels along the way. You are following the predator proof fence that surrounds the Waimarama Sanctuary.

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 10%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 75%

Gravel Road: 10%

Sealed Road: 5%

Route Data