Last Updated: 28th Feb 2024
Barking Mad on Barking Emu
Submitted by Cate Shave
Last Updated: 28th Feb 2024
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 34 ?
8.2km
160m
160m
440m
Last Updated: 28th Feb 2024
Submitted by Cate Shave
Last Updated: 28th Feb 2024
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 34 ?
8.2km
160m
160m
440m
Urban fringe
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Easy Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.7%
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1:30
Slow
1:10
Moderate
0:50
Fast
Follow the sign for the Windmill Track, taking the right hand option down the hill (which is for walkers/runners). About 200m down the track you will have the choice to go left or right - go right, following the sign 'To Car Parts Extn, Barking Emu, Tip Track, Red Rocks, South Coast'. Keep on the same track (this bit is called Car Parts Extension) and keep following the trail markers pointing to the South Coast. About 0.5km in, you'll pass through Mardi Gras Grove (look for the beads hung in the trees). At 1.7km, the track changes to being called Barking Emu (there's an exit to the road above off to your left at this point, but just stay on the trail). Just keep following the track to the end, and you'll come out near the top of the Tip Track - opposite to where the track down to Red Rocks starts. Turn around and come back the way you came.
Brookyln Wind Turbine is the starting point. The trail ends at the top part of the Tip Track, and you can carry on another 1km up the hill and along the road to Hawkins Hill Radar Dome. Great views of Cook Strait and Wellington Harbour/City.
Ample parking right by the Wind Turbine. Be careful about leaving belongings in cars though. Carpark gates close at 5pm April-Sept, 8pm Oct-March.
5 km
16 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Follow the track markers heading your towards the South Coast - you'll start on Windmill, then move onto Car Parts Extension, and then onto Barking Emu.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
None - take your own supplies.
Pretty muddy after rain - you'd want to be using trail shoes if it's been wet.
These are tracks shared with mountainbikers, so keep a look at and be prepared to stop/move to the side as needed - especially important on blind corners! As a hillside track that is fairly exposed to the elements, it can be prone to trees falling.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Barking Mad on Barking Emu
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This is one of my favourite tracks as it is very runnable, pretty flat, and usually deserted. If you have time, I highly recommend adding on a jaunt up to the radar dome at Hawkins Hill (another 2km return from top of the tip track). This is the highest point in the vicinity and the views are spectacular!
June 10, 2020
Really enjoyed this wee trot across the hill. Great views to the south and across Wellington. The path gets more gnarly in the second half - lots of small rocks scattered on the narrow track meant that sometimes I was dancing more than running :)
February 8, 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.
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