Last Updated: 10th Apr 2025
Ed Hillary Hope Reserve Loop
Four Brothers Scenic Reserve
David Thom Loop Track, Mangakirikiri Loop Track, Hope Loop Track
Last Updated: 10th Apr 2025
Grunt Factor: 20 ?
Gnarl Factor: 63 ?
7.9km
720m
720m
Last Updated: 10th Apr 2025
David Thom Loop Track, Mangakirikiri Loop Track, Hope Loop Track
Last Updated: 10th Apr 2025
Grunt Factor: 20 ?
Gnarl Factor: 63 ?
7.9km
720m
720m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +18.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -18.1%
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2:30
Slow
1:50
Moderate
1:10
Fast
From the carpark head down the farm track and into the bush until you see the yellow track forks to the right. Follow the yellow track up through some steep bush, and then back down (even steeper) until you pop out on the blue track.
Turn right and follow the blue track, across the bridge over a stream and then you'll start heading back up, it's well marked but if you're unsure just keep going up!
You'll pop out at the back of the reserve and turn left to follow the fenceline for a bit - this section runs parallel to the Karamu walkway. After 20 mins (or less if you're quick) the blue track goes back down into the bush, follow this down through the bush and some clearings (ex farmland) until markers for the orange track split to the right.
Follow the orange track up through the bush until you pop out on the driveway for the airstrip.. continue up all the way to the airstrip and cross over, to continue following the orange track back down through more bush and clearings, and back to the carpark.
Good views of the windfarm, towards Raglan, Pirongia and Karioi, especially from up on the airstrip. Good views of retired pasture and abundant natural regeneration. Good birdlife, occasional wild goats and piglets.
Long Drop Toilet through the entrance gate towards the track start.
Address is 723-877 Old Mountain Road, Waikato. Coming from Hamilton, turn left onto Te Pahu Road in Whatawhata, and then right onto Old Mountain Road, follow the windy gravel road up and over, the reserve will be on your right. Or to avoid most of the gnarly gravel road, continue towards Raglan over the divvy (highway 23) and then turn left at Waitetuna Valley Road, continute past the school onto Old Mountain Road then keep going until you hit the reserve on your left. No public transport, you could take the 23 Raglan bus (from Hamilton or Raglan) to the Waitetuna Turnoff, and run from there down Old Mountain Road (approx 5Km).
4 km
13 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone
No reliable drinking water available. There's two stream crossings, if you have the ability to filter the water there.
Some mud and clay, can get quite slippery in winter and after alot of rain, but dries out nicely in summer.
The back section of the blue track (where it runs alongside the Karamu Walkway) is closed annually over the lambing season (approx. 1 August – 31 October). The rest of the tracks are open year round.
Village Cafe
Whatawhata
https://thevillage.kiwi/
Nearest coffee heading back to everywhere except for Raglan. There's a pub on the same corner, petrol station and (customers only) toilets.
Te Uku Roast Office
Te Uku
https://raglanroast.co.nz/blogs/our-stores#section4
Nearest decent coffee heading back towards Raglan. Toilet (customers only) and petrol station / dairy is also there.
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Very steep trail over a mix of terrain. Thoroughly enjoyed running the last 3ish km but was hard work to get there! Grassy sections were up to waist high in places. Suggest wearing long leggings if you're allergic to grasses - my legs were a red blobby mess when I got back to the car.
November 23
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