Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Aro Valley - Red Rocks Thigh Buster
Submitted by Corin Haines
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
25.1km
1000m
1000m
453m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Corin Haines
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
25.1km
1000m
1000m
453m
Urban fringe
Combo
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open ridges/tops
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.6%
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
5:15
Slow
4:00
Moderate
2:40
Fast
Pretty easy clear track the whole way. Climb from Polhill following the signs to the Wind Turbine, then onto the Barking Emu track just below the Turbine. Follow barking Emu until it meets the top of the Tip Track and carry on along the ridge following the signs to above Red Rocks.
Continue on the track (do not take the descent to Red Rocks) and follow it down into a the valley before turning left and climbing up sharply to loop back towards the Hawkins Radar Dome on the Te Kopahou track. It gets very steep here and is a demanding climb. Once at the top of the climb, you have some nice easy gravel road to get you to the Dome before heading back down to join the top of the Tip Track again an retrace your steps along Barking Emu and back down.
This trail includes the peaks Hawkins Hill and Te Kopahou.
Hawkins Hill Radar Dome
Easy street parking most of the time. Good street lighting.
2 km
8 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Generally good.
Lightweight fleece top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Once on the track NIL.
The middle part of this trail is on the very exposed Southern coast. This means on a hot still day it is very hot with no shelter and on a day with strong weather from the South you are very exposed to the elements. Dress to the conditions and have a protective layer.
Aro Cafe
Aro Street
Great coffee and food.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Aro Valley - Red Rocks Thigh Buster
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
Great run - definitely gnarly with steep ups and downs. Felt very remote at the 10 km mark with beautiful view over the Cook Strait over to the South Island. I spotted a wild deer on the climb up to Te Kopahou. Quickly made the side trip to the trig - built sturdy to withstand the wind. Didn't muck around from Te Kopahou to the top of the Tip Track as the wind was getting up and gusts were starting to push me around. Section from Aro Valley to Tip Track and vice versa are well sheltered but definitely check the weather before attempting this route and take a jacket/warm gear just in case.
June 5, 2023
Character building climb in the middle and amazing tracks either side. I ran from Aro Valley and up the Turbine track - and managed to find an extra 3km from somewhere! - but otherwise it’s an easy trail to follow. Feels a million miles away once you are on the South Coast.
May 29, 2021
Ran this on a nice clear evening. Lots of stars but so many possums. Tough run, especially the uphill to Hawkins Dome. A good testing run!
October 9, 2020
Really loved this run today. Soaring to the highest peaks in Wellington with spectacular panoramic views, and hardly saw a soul, other than a cheeky kaka. I chose to head up to the turbine via Transient rather than the road, to avoid too much tarmac. Felt great to finally get this one bagged.
August 13, 2020
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.
The Wild Things Trail Directory is proudly supported by 
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
