Wild Things - New Zealand's trail running community
New Zealand's trail running community

Login



don't have an account?

Awaroa Beach & Coffee, Tasman

Trail Directory proudly supported by Further Faster

Update Your Header Picture

Awaroa Beach & CoffeeBeginner

Submitted by Mike McManaway

Info Info
Map Loading

Trail Information

18.00km

505m

500m

 

Tasman and Nelson

Takaka

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush
Beach
Coastal

Beginner

3:00 (Slow)
2:00 (Moderate)
1:40 (Fast)

-5.7%

+5.8%

Abel Tasman is a great walk so normally it is quickly reopened even after big coastal storms but check with the DoC website if in doubt.

Download PDF Guide

Fastest Known Times (FKTs)

Please set your gender to see your position on the FKT leaderboards.

Men

Women

Filter FKTs

The more , the harder the FKT will be to beat. Learn about Fastest Known Times.

Missing your time?

Register or login as a VIP and get yourself on the FKT leaderboard!

Register Now

Description

Head south from Totaranui along the Abel Tasman trail for a lovely 5km of combined beach and forest trails until you reach the Awaroa estuary.

This can only be crossed 2 hours on either side of low tide so make sure you do your maths and time your crossings right. It is likely that your shoes will still get wet. It is easier (less deep) just to follow the orange Doc signs across to Awaroa Hut but a diagonal shortcut is usually fine at peak low tide. Some runners may prefer to remove shoes for the muddiest bits.

After the crossing diagonal across to the beach and reaching the open sea, turn right and cruise down the beach towards a prominent cliff boardwalk which is the access to the Awaroa Lodge. After a well-earned coffee & cake follow the signs back via Awaroa Glamping, the airstrip, and then the orange signs that take you to Awaroa Hut before making the return crossing of the estuary. Hopefully, you got the timing right!

Head back to Totaranui along the same Abel Tasman trail for 5km until you arrive back at your car.


Trail Community

Find people who are interested in this run.

You must register or login to view this content.

Features of interest

Located within the protected confines of the South Island’s Abel Tasman National Park, Awaroa Beach curves magnificently around the mesmerising shallows of an atoll-like estuary. Meandering its way for 800 metres in length, it has been nicknamed “The People’s Beach” since it was purchased by New Zealanders from a private owner after a crowdfunding campaign that received the support of some 40,000 people.

A journey here is made all the more special by the fact Awaroa is only accessible on foot and by boat, with no road access. Scenic helicopter flights do overfly the beach without being able to land. As well as the almost unbelievable scenery, Awaroa has become a haven for coastal birds, which now nest nearby.


Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 0%

Technical Single Track: 0%

Moderate Single Track: 20%

Easy Single Track: 80%


Route Data

Reviews:

You must register or login to view this content.


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


Photos:

You must register or login to view this content.

Your Trail Wishlist

All the runs that are on your To Do list (no limit).

Add to wishlist view wishlist

Your Trail Dreamlist

The runs you most want to do (limited to 10).

Add to dreamlist view dreamlist

Wild Explorers

I did it!
  • Access

    From Tākaka take the road to Totaranui, at the Doc office turn right and continue through the camp site until the end of the road.

    It is normally possible to park right at the start of the track/end of the road. However, in summer the area will be busy with campers, caravans and children so take care.

    31 km

    53 minutes

    No

    No

  • Staying Safe

    Easy.

    If in doubt follow the Orange DoC signs.

    Patchy.

    Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

    None, be prepared and take what you need.

    The Lodge is closed in winter so your coffee stop will be what you bring for lunch!

    If you do end up trapped on the wrong side of the high tide crossing then ask the lodge to arrange a water taxi back to Totaranui. Better safe than sorry!

  • Post run indulgence

    Awaroa Lodge is the name of the game- great coffee and food.
    Awaroa, Abel Tasman
    https://www.awaroalodge.co.nz
    The high light of the run.

  • Blog Posts and Articles
  • Sponsor this trail

    If you are interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch below:

    Submit

Got a favourite trail? Tell us about it.

Share the love and add your favourite trail(s) to our growing trail directory.

Submit A Trail

Become a member today

Start enjoying the many benefits to becoming a member of our thriving community.

Become a member

Great brands at great prices with our VIP member's discount

Stay up to date

Sign up to our newsletter for latest offers and trail guides

Share this trail with a friend:

VIP Membership

Please register as a VIP or login to your VIP account to view this content.

Cancel Login Register

Membership Required

You can see up to three trail guides without being logged in but after that we require you to be logged in to your Free or VIP account. If you don’t yet have an account you can register here.

Login Register