Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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Whitianga Rock to Cooks Beach

Whitianga, Waikato

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

I've done it Done

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Open

Grunt Factor: 12

Gnarl Factor: 23

14.1km

Length of run

165m

Total Ascent

165m

Total Descent

94m

Highest point

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Out and Back

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Run Makeup

55%

30%

15%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +6.5%

Average Downhill Gradient: -6.5%

Trailhead

Estimated Times to Run

1:45

Slow

1:20

Moderate

0:50

Fast

GPX File

Topo Map

3D Satellite

Guide

Run begins at the bottom of Whitianga Rock path and climbs up a short set of stairs. Follow the path around to the left when reaching the first junction; this takes you towards Back Bay (the path is also part of an old earthwork rampart from the site's days as an occupied pa).
Continue on the path across Back Bay and enter the bush trail on the far side. From here there is a vertical climb of approx 100m with a 2.6% gradient, mostly wooden stairs. The descent on the opposite side of the ridge is equally steep. Turn right upon exiting the bush and cross the road.
Continue down the footpath and turn right at the beach. Follow to beach around and up the signposted Shakespeare Reserve track. Follow this all the way around. When it rejoins the main road, turn left towards Cooks Beach. Take the next signposted left (Rees Ave) then continue straight ahead and down a right-of-way to the beach. Turn right and run down the beach to Purangi Estuary (great for a swim!).
Return by heading back the way you came.

The stone steps at Ferry Landing are one of the oldest stone structures in NZ. Neighbouring Whitianga Rock is a pa site from the Ngati Hei people who inhabited the area pre-colonisation. Flaxmill Bay is the site of a large flax mill from the 19th century. Shakespeare Cliff features a lookout over Mercury Bay, and adjacent Cooks Beach was where Captain James Cook observed the transit of Mercury in 1769.

Transport and parking:

Trnasport from the Whitianga side can be by passenger ferry or car. The drive around is about 40km, the ferry takes 5min. Parking lot at track entrance. There is also parking on the Whitianga side, alongside the beach or next to the playground.

Distance from Whitianga:

39 km

Driving time from Whitianga:

38 minutes

Dog friendly:

Yes

Landowner permission required:

Navigation Rating:

Easy.

Navigation Tips:

See course description. There are only a couple of potential wrong turns. Coming down from Shakespeare Cliff towards the road, you can go left down to Lonely Bay. It's a short and pleasant diversion to a beautiful beach and is easily recoverable.

Cellphone Coverage:

Perfect throughout.

Suggested Gear List:

Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Cellphone.

Availability of Water:

There are taps at the beaches along the way, and a general store at Cooks Beach.

Seasonality Issues:

The bush can get very dry during summer, and wasps can be an issue.

Hazards:

N/A

Nina's Cafe
Victoria St, Whitianga
Great food, great coffee. It's a local institution!

Purangi Winery
Main Highway, Purangi
http://www.purangi.co.nz/
Great wood-fired pizzas, plus wines, liqeuers, and cider brewed by the owners.

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Trail Reviews

Kirstine Collins

There was too much footpath walking for my liking. The views from Shakespeare Park were nice but I preferred to take the trails rather than the gravel road. There are some nice trails you can take for variety on your return.
I did this trail the opposite direction and be aware the GPX track turns off Purangi Rd earlier than the actual trail. By coincidence where the gpx track goes is an overgrown trail so I had a good adventure and as a bonus discovered a new trail I will submit soon. Coming back I realised the track off Purangi Rd is obvious and well signposted. That part from Ferry Landing over the hill was fun and great views.

Kirstine Collins

September 8, 2020

Brad Harris

Nice short sharp hills make for fun (painful fun) repeats, and the combination of stairs, technical rooted trail and rock keeps it interesting. Remember what time the ferry stops if youre staying in Whitianga (I almost missed it)

Brad Harris

March 6, 2020

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Overlapping Trails

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.