Last Updated: 4th Mar 2024
East Whakanui loop
Last Updated: 4th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 66 ?
Gnarl Factor: 92 ?
19.7km
2010m
1990m
800m
Last Updated: 4th Mar 2024
Last Updated: 4th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 66 ?
Gnarl Factor: 92 ?
19.7km
2010m
1990m
800m
Back country - remote
Combo
Very hilly
Native bush
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +19.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -19.6%
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7:00
Slow
5:00
Moderate
3:30
Fast
At the junctions on the first climb take the left options, following orange triangles on the Whakanui track and blue triangles once on the East Whakanui track.
Follow the East Whakanui track down to the river and cross the side stream and follow the Whakanui track straight back up to the top.
Take the left options at the junctions until you're back on your route from earlier. Go straight through at the Mckerrow track junction and follow your footprints back down to the carpark.
3 km
5 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Very patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, 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
Usually water in the Orongorongo river is safe to drink, but this isn't recommended after long dry spells or heavy rain.
Can get quite muddy after sustained rain.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and East Whakanui loop
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First time I've done the loop and it won't be the last! Definitely technical in places and some lung busting hills but it's beautiful, varied, and would have some good views on a nice day (which unfortunately was not my day). Had the loop to myself
March 3
Love it! Great wet weather option if you don’t mind mud, but finally ran it on a sunny day and it’s even better - views to Mt Matthews and even across to the Kaikōuras. Look out for the huge rata too.
January 12, 2023
Great loop. I've always gone other way round... Down Whakanui & Up East Whakanui
December 27, 2022
Beautiful loop. The East track has some gorgeous stretches of goblin forest. The tracks can be muddy but wasn’t too bad today.
September 16, 2022
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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