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Blood Sucking Leitch's, Waikato

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Blood Sucking Leitch'sBeginner - Intermediate

Submitted by Jonathan Drake

Info Info
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Trail Information

20.00km

460m

460m

 

Waikato

Piopio

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands

Beginner - Intermediate

4:00 (Slow)
3:00 (Moderate)
2:15 (Fast)

-24.1%

+24.1%

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Description

The route is very straightforward, following a marked single track all the way. You follow the trail gradually uphill for about the first third of the route out, starting out with the bush alongside farmland but soon completely in bush above a river valley.

There are the odd very short technical elements but mostly this is runnable as you wind around the hillsides. Eventually, you start dropping, although it's one of those trails that rolls up and down slightly the whole way even as you climb or descend.

You'll come out into a wide-open grassland valley amongst the hills and bush. Take a sharp left at this point, there is a sign indicating Leitch's hut.

From this point the trail is slightly less defined in places simply because the growth is more open but you still have a well-marked and easy-to-follow trail that will lead you to Leitch's Hut. This is your turn-around point and you return as you came.


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Make Up of Run

Moderate Single Track: 10%

Easy Single Track: 90%


Route Data

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Wild Explorers

I did it!
  • Access

    The trailhead is at the very end of Leitch's Road, about half an hour from Piopio. Drive out from Piopio on Mangaotaki Road and eventually come to Leitch's on your left, being a basic gravel road through farmland.

    The road ends on a small open area at the top of rise and there is parking space around the edge of the circle.

    23 km

    38 minutes

    No

    No

  • Staying Safe

    Easy.

    When you come out of the bush into the valley there is a section of old farm fencing and a sign hard left for Leitch's Hut, take this turn rather than proceed ahead. Although really this route is very straight forward.

    Non-existent.

    Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

    There is water available at the hut, or from the river prior to the hut.

    None

    None

  • Post run indulgence

    Fat Pigeon Cafe
    41 Moa Street, Piopio
    https://www.facebook.com/Fat-Pigeon-Cafe-151867164830075/
    There is not a great deal else around for miles - although this place is a really well set out cafe with a variety of food options and good service in a comfortable environment.

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