Last Updated: 18th Dec 2023
South Main Range Loop
Submitted by Tim Carpenter
Last Updated: 18th Dec 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 128 ?
Gnarl Factor: 87 ?
47.0km
3900m
3900m
1408m
Last Updated: 18th Dec 2023
Submitted by Tim Carpenter
Last Updated: 18th Dec 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 128 ?
Gnarl Factor: 87 ?
47.0km
3900m
3900m
1408m
Back country - remote
Loop
Mountainous
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +15.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -14.0%
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16:00
Slow
12:00
Moderate
10:00
Fast
Best run clockwise.
Take the signs to Waitewaewae Hut, this is in bush, can be wet, and there is around 750m elevation to the hut. Run time 2:10 (for a 12 hour circuit).
Follow on from the hut trail, cross the river on the swingbridge, and follow the orange arrows up the hill. This is around 1000m of vertical climbing to Junction Knob.
Turn R) at Junction Knob (signposted) toward Anderson Hut.
You will now be on the tops and basically stay here for the next 7 hours or so.
The ridge is very narrow in places, there are very steep ascents and descents and what will feel like never ending ridges.
Pass Anderson Hut and continue to Mangahuka Hut - this is 4km from when you first spot the hut. After Mangahuka you get to attack the Tararua Peaks Ladder a 20m vertical steel ladder bolted to the rock face.
There is then still significant climbing to get to Hill Mound, turn R) and head down.
With tired legs you then have 1400m of descent to get back to the start, mixed trail, and pass Field Hut on the way down.
This trail includes the peaks Aokaparangi, Maungahuka and Kahiwiroa.
You will run past part of an old milling rail system, numerous back country huts, with gorgeous views from Masterton to Otaki Beach (on a clear day)
Plenty of parking, follow the signs, ensure good parking safety
20 km
27 minutes
Unknown
No
Very hard.
The tracks are overall well marked with the orange markers, if there is poor visibility take care.
Non-existent.
Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Short-sleeved thermal top, Long-sleeved thermal 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, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions), Gaiters
Available from the Waitewaewae river and at each of the huts.
Weather can change suddenly at any time. Winds can be very high and the ridges are very exposed.
The elevation profile does not do justice to the difficulty of the traverse along the peaks. There are a lot of short and sharp ups and downs, with more walking and scrambling than running.
The peaks ladder can be tricky in the wet and the wind. There is also a section with a chain attached to the wall for extra support.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and South Main Range Loop
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A true Tararua classic and rite of passage. A favourite training loop since way back for many a mountain man and woman. Not to be underestimated, a good forecast will make this run much more fun. If you manage to get some views, savour them as the Tararua gods don't often give them up easily!
May 3, 2020
Nice mix of terrain.Easy warm up to YTYY hut then tough for a long time along Tararua peaks. Knife edge ridgeline is exciting but slow going in high wind. We ended up shooting up to Kime hut for the night as I was puking on the last climb and it seemed like the sensible thing to do.Easy downhill run out early the next morning.
April 3, 2019
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.
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