Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Fairy House Loop

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 16 ?

Gnarl Factor: 22 ?

13.5km

495m

495m

445m

  

  

  

Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.

Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Run Makeup

10%
60%
20%
10%

Sealed Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -7.3%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

3:00

Slow

2:00

Moderate

1:30

Fast

Beautiful loop run that starts and finishes on Stokes Valley Road, leading into native bush on a steep technical single track trail and then onto the wide ECNZ ridgeline with views of the Hutt Valley before dropping back down onto smaller more technical trails on the Horoeka Street Scenic Reserve where you can spot fairy houses along the trail.

The trail starts at the top of Stokes Valley Road with a small trail entrance on the right hand side with a signpost for the ECNZ trail. When on the ECNZ ridgeline, when you go past the concrete bollards/gate continue approx 500 metres on the gravel road look out for the trail that continues to the left (yellow gate), if you start descending steeply on the gravel road you have gone too far.

Scenic reserve tracks

Free parking all along Stokes Valley Road and also a main bus route that runs to the top of the road as well.

13 km

18 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Generally good.

Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.

No water on trail. Shops on Stokes Valley Road to stock up on supplies before setting off

Trails can be muddy and slippery after rain. Can be windy/cold/exposed on ridgeline.

Trails going up to and down from the ridgeline are technical and steep in places. Some very small water crossings on the descent at Horoeka Street Scenic Reserve. Extra care required on these sections.

Trail Legend

JF

Jennifer Ferguson

has completed Fairy House Loop once in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

You and Fairy House Loop

As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.

Register Now

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

Great run - recommend going anti-clockwise for a shorter steeper uphill at the start. Nice run along the top, and then a steady downhill past the fairy houses. Last few km on the road a bit of a slog but a trail worth doing.

Suzanne Clarke

August 30, 2023

I ran this following the GPX file - clockwise - so actually started at the other end of Stokes Valley Road, from the Horoeka Scenic Reserve (the fairy end). The climb was pretty steady in this direction, not as technical as the other end (at least the run along the road at the end was downhill).

Karen Spencer

December 5, 2021

Login to submit a review

Trail Running Community

Find people who are interested in or have completed this trail run.

You must register or login to view this feature.

Register Now

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.

Tawhai Loop

Tawhai Loop

Length: 7.7km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Other trails nearby
Rata Ridge

Rata Ridge

Length: 6.6km

Level: Intermediate

Lighthouses and Lakes

Lighthouses and Lakes

Length: 23.5km

Level: Intermediate

Pareraho to Cornish

Pareraho to Cornish

Length: 18.0km

Level: Intermediate

Mt Matthews

Mt Matthews

Length: 27.0km

Level: Intermediate - Experienced

Find more trails and peaks nearby