Te Maunga Dash

The run begins at the car park by the marae at the base of Maungatautari. From the outset, the track rises steadily, following the gravel path toward the second gate. The climb quickly warms the legs as the runner passes the familiar junction and keeps heading upward, the bush closing in and the sound of native birdsong filling the air. The route winds towards the Te Raki Track, where the ascent sharpens, and the surface underfoot shifts to a mix of rooted single track and damp earth.

Pushing higher, the trail grows steeper and more technical. The Te Raki Track snakes its way through thick native forest. The climb is relentless, with sections that demand a hands-on-knees effort, but the reward is near: the summit of Maungatautari. 

The descent begins along the Wairere Traverse. The track drops and rolls across the forested ridgeline, a long undulating section . Bird calls echo through the trees, and shafts of light break through the canopy .

Eventually, the trail eases, reconnecting with the lower path that leads back down past the gate and into open country. The final stretch retraces steps toward the marae, where the run began, bringing the loop to a satisfying close—a mix of tough climbs, flowing ridges, and a fast finish back to the car park.