Last Updated: 4th Nov 2023
Urchin Umukarikari Loop
Last Updated: 4th Nov 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 44
Gnarl Factor: 50
25.6km
1450m
1450m
1591m
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Last Updated: 4th Nov 2023
Last Updated: 4th Nov 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 44
Gnarl Factor: 50
25.6km
1450m
1450m
1591m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Mountainous
Native bush
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.4%
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6:00
Slow
4:30
Moderate
3:00
Fast
The description below assumes a start at the Waikoko Valley Campsite and is run in an anticlockwise direction. There's no reason why the route can't be run in a clockwise direction.
From Waikoko Valley Campsite, cross back over the bridge and head back up the sealed road for ~200m to get to the gravel road on the left. The sealed road has a large shoulder and is only short (but uphill!) Follow the gravel road to the start of the Urchin Track (this is clearly signed). It is about 4.5km and for the last 1km climbs 150m. If you'd like a quick detour, after 2km you can head to the Pillars of Hercules and then follow some easy single track up to the Urchin Campground and rejoin the gravel road to the Urchin Track start.
From here it's a further 3km on trail to get up to the Urchin Trig (1392m, +750m from the start of the run). From Urchin, you follow a poled route along the tops until you reach a junction (2.2km from Urchin) for the Waipakihi River. Instead, continue onward where you will shortly drop down to the bushline again. From here there is 3km in the forest. The trail is fairly narrow along the ridgeline. It doesn't deviate too far off the ridgetop, but in places care needs to be taken to follow the right path. A lot of this section will need to be walked.
Once out of the bush, it's back along the tops following the poled route to the main Umukarikari Range (it's approximately 8km between Urchin and the Umukarikari Range). From here, you can immediately turn left and head down. Alternatively, it's approximately 1km and +100m to the summit of Umukarikari (1591m) from this junction. There's a steep climb up to reach a junction with an attractive summit. You can shoot up this trail for some nice views, but this peak is not Umukarikari! A little further north you can see the rounded summit of Umukarikari.
Heading back from here you've got some seriously nice, flowing trail down to the bushline. The trail becomes a little more technical once you hit the bushline and you drop quite quickly to the trailhead. From here, head down the road. After about a kilometre, you'll come to a T junction. The direction to the Waihaha Valley Campsite is not signposted, however you turn left. Cruise back down to the start.
NB This is only dog friendly if you have a hunting permit for this area.
UPDATE October 2020: The entire route has recently been recut, remarked & re-poled, so easy to follow in low cloud. The section between the two high points is pretty much all runnable, but is a bit more technical and twisty through the bush.
A significant portion of the run is on the tops and on a good day you will have magnificent views of Mts Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and possibly Taranaki. Similarly, you can look to Lake Taupo and the Pureora Forest. Views to other Kaimanawa peaks are superb - Makorako and the Middle Range.
Urchin Trig, if you're into trig bagging.
Once you've finished your run you could visit the Pillars of Hercules, Waikato Falls and the Poutu Intake.
There is no public transport to the start of the run.
The access is on gravel road, so road/touring bikes would be uncomfortable.
The Urchin Track start has space for 5-10 vehicles.
The Umukarikari Track start has space for 5 vehicles.
The Waihaha Valley Campsite has plenty of parking space and in summer there are generally a few different groups of campers about in camp through the day, so vehicles should be safe.
19 km
17 minutes
Unknown
No
Hard.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
The trail below the treeline is marked with orange triangles.
The route on the tops is poled and well formed.
The ridge between Urchin and Umukarikari has approximately 3km where it drops into the beech forest and care needs to be taken at times as the trail is narrow and quite windy.
Non-existent.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map.
There are no creeks in the vicinity of the track, however there is a tarn to the right on the approach to the Umukarikari range (at about the 14km mark) - do NOT rely on this during summer months though, it may dry up!
Approximately 13km of the route will be along to tops (or needing to get back onto the tops to get down). At any time of the year, weather systems can develop rapidly and visibility can drop.
Snow can be present over winter.
The tops are exposed to weather (wind, rain, snow) and navigation may become difficult in low visibility.
Take care when running (or driving) the gravel road and be alert for other road users. No headphones!
The park is also used by hunters.
The Urchin and Umukarikari tracks are (unofficially) used by mountain bikers. In my experience, they have been courteous to other trail users - due to the technical nature of the descents they've got to be quite experienced.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Amazing loop with absolutely stunning views definetely a classic not to be missed!
September 11
JH
Done early April. Lots of cars parked at both trail heads and the camping site. The bush sections up, down, and along the top have varying size trees down slowing progress. Some steep ascents. All worth it for the exposed ridge running.
May 20, 2023
Simply amazing. Spent just over one third of my time on the tops in the open (not counting the goblin forest at the top), for anyone interested in how much open mountain top running is involved.
March 11, 2023
DM
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