Last Updated: 20th Sep 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Gibbs Hill Loop

Takaka, Tasman

Submitted by Carys Coleman

Last Updated: 20th Sep 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 30 ?

Gnarl Factor: 18 ?

23.0km

970m

970m

385m

  

  

  

Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.

Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Coastal

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

25%
75%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +10.3%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.3%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

4:30

Slow

3:30

Moderate

2:15

Fast

This is an easy to follow route, well sign posted with well graded trails. There are 5 climbs, the first and last being the biggest. Start at the Wainui car park and follow the 4wd along the flat then uphill for 2.8km to the Gibbs Hill saddle, you'll reach a fork, take the right turn and continue on uphill. This section starts undulating before a steepish last push up to the Gibbs Hill trig (5km climb in total). It is worth taking the small side track to see the views from the very top. Once you've taken in the views follow the 4wd down the hill towards Totaranui, it is steep and can be slippery in places, at the bottom you'll cross a small stream before coming out into a paddock. At the next junction take the left towards Anapai and Mutton Cove. Stay on this main track through the next two junctions still heading to Anapai. Along the beach at Anapai then back onto the track on the left, up the hill and eventually down into Mutton Cove. Run along the beach here (there's a toilet near to the next track entrance). Up the next hill and follow the track up and over to Whariwharangi, take in the beach on the right then the track up to the hut on the left. Take a few minutes to look at the historic hut before the final climb back to the saddle of Gibbs Hill, you'll recognise where you are from the beginning of the run, instead of going left back up the hill, this time take the right back down hill and to the car park.

This trail includes the peak Gibbs Hill.

There is a cool historic hut at Whariwharangi towards the end of the loop and before the last uphill

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 available at the road end, flushing toilets and safe.

24 km

34 minutes

No

No

Easy.

Very patchy.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map

Water tap at Mutton Cove and Whariwharangi Hut

This run is fine all year round, it is all on well graded and looked after trails, mostly on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track.

Slippery clay/rock on the decent after Gibbs Hill

Penguin Cafe
Pohara
http://penguincafe.co.nz/
Chips and Pizzas are yum

Trail Legend

Mike McManaway

Mike McManaway

has completed Gibbs Hill Loop 8 times in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

You and Gibbs Hill Loop

As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.

Register Now

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

Great views even in the rain when I did it! The downhill from Gibbs hill was quite slippery on the clay-like surface with no grip so if doing it on a wet day in the future I would probably go the other direction to avoid that and instead finish going up that. But otherwise it was a great loop.

Holly Barclay

June 25, 2023

I enjoyed running it both directions. Climbing Gibbs hill as the last point was quite steep tho

Ieva Laucina

October 9, 2021

Great views, nice trail.

Petar Bodor

January 24, 2021

Pretty even on a rainy day :)

Mariona Roigé Valiente

January 7, 2021

Login to submit a review

Trail Running Community

Find people who are interested in or have completed this trail run.

You must register or login to view this feature.

Register Now

Overlapping Trails

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.

Separation Point Loop

Separation Point Loop

Length: 26.5km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Totaranui Big Loop

Totaranui Big Loop

Length: 30.0km

Level: Intermediate

Wainui Gibbs Hill Loop

Wainui Gibbs Hill Loop

Length: 15.7km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Other trails nearby
Parapara Peak

Parapara Peak

Length: 18.0km

Level: Intermediate - Experienced

The Killdevil

The Killdevil

Length: 27.0km

Level: Intermediate - Experienced

Sylvester Hut

Sylvester Hut

Length: 10.0km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Motupipi Hill

Motupipi Hill

Length: 10.0km

Level: Beginner

Find more trails and peaks nearby