Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Bell Blast
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 16
Gnarl Factor: 50
11.5km
225m
225m
260m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 16
Gnarl Factor: 50
11.5km
225m
225m
260m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Riverside
Open farmlands
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +4.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -4.7%
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2:15
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:00
Fast
From the car park cross over the road and head up stream. This gravel farm track continues for 2 km before reaching the bush line. Following the signs marked Kahikatea tree/Bell track turn right in to the native bush. There are a couple of small intersections before you reach the start of Bell track. Again veer right and follow the signs. Turn right on to Bell Track and continue along past the caves, here is when the single track begins. Follow the orange markers. Bell Track follows Blue Bull Stream with some small hills and lots of mud for a few kms. Staying on the same side of the stream, continue past the swing bridge 500m to reach the Kahikatea tree. Then just head back the way you came.
There are two extra special things to check out on this run.
Firstly the Kaniwhaniwha caves. This is a 5 minute detour though a small cave right next to the Bell track junction off the Nikau walk. Pack a torch or cellphone.
Secondly at the turn around point stands the tallest Kahikatea tree! At 66.5m its hard to miss.
31 km
31 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Pack your own
Expect more mud and wetness after rain or during winter.
Pirongia Village Cafe
756 Franklin Road, Pirongia
Great coffee. Plus while you are there 'bag' the relocated Mt Pirongia trig. Just across the road- on the flat.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Bell Blast
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Used this trail as a recovery session after day before killer session. Brilliant choice for this option.
April 18, 2022
This is a really good trail. First 2km is nice flat run where you can really boost it before hitting the bush. The bush has heaps of roots for the most part and is quite technical at times so watch your footing. There are some little climbs which make it a good workout too. Beautiful surroundings (river, epic tree at the end).. overall 5 stars
March 28, 2021
KK
Great run. Good warm up section. Not too muddy in summer. You can actually run in a few sections.
February 27, 2021
Great trail. Nice warmup on the easy track to the cave. The cave is a fun little activity - nothing like being face to face with cave weta. From there the trail was fun. Nice technical, largely flat, rooty trail.
August 16, 2020
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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