Waddington Loop of WanderBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Katie Smith
Beginner - Intermediate
1:30 (Slow)
1:10 (Moderate)
00:50 (Fast)
-5.6%
+5.6%
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Description
This loop links the popular Te Whiti Riser with the less-known Waddington Wander track. It could be run in either direction. Park at the Te Whiti Park car park.
Start by running across the playing field to the footbridge at the north end of the park. Turn right onto Riverside Drive. Follow the path by the riverside wherever possible to keep off the road.
When you reach Rossiter Drive turn right and cross the river, then left onto Wyndrum Ave. When you reach a small grass area you'll see another footbridge crossing back over the river - take this back onto Riverside Drive. As this turns away from the river a km or so further on you'll see a footpath straight ahead (staying parallel to the water) - take this and it comes out onto Hamerton Street.
Go right on Waddington Drive then right again down Balgownie Crescent - at the end cut left behind the houses onto the riverside track. This goes through a small stile and you'll see a tiny footbridge across the stream - take this, then the track starts just across the river - you'll see a wooden sign saying Bike&Walking track to Judd & Summit Firebreak - this is the Waddington track.
Take this narrow winding track up through stands of manuka and native bush - there are plenty of switchbacks so it's a nice steady gradient. You'll pass areas where it almost pops onto the firebreak (much steeper) - keep left and stay on the track. Eventually, you pop up onto the summit ECNZ 4WD road. Turn right at the top, admire the view from the picnic bench, then head downhill and immediately onto the Te Whiti track.
This is a much more popular track, again well-graded and much easier underfoot - follow it right back down to Te Whiti Park to the start.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Nice views over the Hutt Valley.
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 35%
Easy Single Track: 40%
Sealed Road: 25%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each
Photos:
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Access
Start from the Te Whiti Park car park.
Lots of parking, though gate locked at night.
3 km
5 minutes
Yes
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Toilets and a water fountain in Te Whiti park, otherwise none available.
The very top is exposed, but only out of the bush for a few metres. Waddington track is quite slippy after lots of rain.
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Post run indulgence
Zany Zeus cafe
Great brownies! -
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
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Belmont Trig
XTERRA Orongorongos Long Course
Belmont Regional Park - Oakleigh to Hill
Wainui Trail Park
Mt Matthews
Mt Matthews - Mukamuka Loop
Where in the Whakanui?
Te Whiti Firebreak Calf Burn
Puke Ariki Traverse
Cannon Point Trig via Zig Zag
Mt Lowry
Te Whiti Riser
Mukamuka Munter
Belmont Bash
Belmont Tadpole Loop
Lighthouses and Lakes
Pareraho to Cornish
Soil Bureau
Baring It All
Wainuiomata Recreation Area
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Fairy House Loop
Dry Creek Loop
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Sugarloaf and Waterfalls Loop
Loop the Hutt Valley