Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Te Aroha Killer Loop
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 69
Gnarl Factor: 59
39.8km
2000m
2000m
953m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 69
Gnarl Factor: 59
39.8km
2000m
2000m
953m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Native bush
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.7%
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Not suitable
Slow
9:30
Moderate
6:30
Fast
This is a loop run from Te Aroha Domain. Start near the cute Mokena Geyser in Te Aroha Domain, and head up the Te Aroha Summit Track all the way to the fabulous summit. After catching your breath and taking some photos, travel along the Dog Kennel Flat Track until you connect with Waipapa Track. Follow this mostly runnable gently descending track through to Waitewheta Hut. From here, the Waitewheta Tramway Track follows a very good path (albeit on cobbled stones) of the ancient mine and logging tramway, with various historical features to see. Multiple swing bridges and awesome river and cliff views. Turn left onto Dalys Clearing Track and run past the hut to meet the Mangakino Pack Track. Follow this track along the east side of the Mangakino river valley, crossing multiple small tributary streams. Connect to the Tui Mine Track and descend down to join Tui Domain Track and return to your starting point.
Mt Te Aroha, old mines, old tramway, suspension bridges, rivers, waterfalls, geyser
Good parking at the Te Aroha Domain
1 km
3 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Very patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.
Many rivers. Two huts on the route with water.
Mt Te Aroha is very exposed and can be cold in bad weather.
Ironique Cafe
Te Aroha
Excellent Cafe
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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A fantastic and challenging route! Track was in surprisingly good condition after recent cyclone Hale. The Mangakino Pack track was better than I expected and there were some decent runnable sections although erosion has made for a few gnarly drop offs. I met the Doc Ranger Warren at Waitawheta hut - he has been building and maintaining tracks in the Kaimais for 54 years! Great scenery makes it worth your effort.
January 17, 2023
A good mix of technical uphill/downhill and runnable sections. Trail is in fair condition after all the recent rain but some slips and fallen logs (with trail markers) make it hard to navigate at times
August 28, 2022
JC
Great along the first few sections, especially the Waitawheta Track. Same as the other reviews, the Mangakino Pack Track is slow going as the track mostly is tree roots around some cobble sized rocks.
Worth noting that the first bridge on the Waipapa Track, heading to Waitawheta Hut, is currently out due to tree fall. You can scramble into the gully back up the track a bit, and them climb out the other side. The Waitawheta Hut webpage has an Alert for this.
February 13, 2021
Good adventure. The trail up Te Aroha, down to Waitewheta and to Daly’s Clearing is all pretty good. Some lovely scenery and many swing bridges to cross. Mangapiko pack track was not as bad as I expected. It was slow going from from 23km - 30km. Expect to hike that part. I don’t like heights much and have to admit a few times I was hugging the hill. I’m also not great with navigation but managed okay the entire way through here. I guess the fallen trees have now been cleared as they really weren’t bad to pass. Then the Tui track down is a welcome run after the slow going along Mangapiko. I enjoyed it but would maybe do it as a big long hiking day rather than running next time.
January 10, 2021
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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