Last Updated: 19th Oct 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Tuatara Trail Run

Greymouth, West Coast

Submitted by Ben Aynsley

Last Updated: 19th Oct 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 12 ?

Gnarl Factor: 51 ?

6.0km

420m

420m

342m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Run Makeup

5%
10%
35%
50%

Sealed Road

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +15.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -14.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:20

Slow

55:00

Moderate

35

Fast

Loop is best run Clockwise, head north along Alexander st and turn right onto Chapel St after 400m. Head straight up Chapel st and through the footpath to Mount st. Head 20m down Mount st to the start of the King Park Walking track, from here it is a steep climb up 200m passing a couple of lookouts over Greymouth.
Once you reach a sign saying return via same route head past the sign (obvious trail) and you will find orange and white markers. You are now on the Tuatara trail which is maintained by the West Coast Alpine Club.
Follow markers through the dense native bush until reaching a service road approximately 20-30mins later- be careful when following markers ,there is plenty and if you lose sight of them you have gone the wrong way.
When hitting the Power Line service road either head left for 50m for some views or go bombing down the muddy rocky slip 'n' slide of a track for a couple of km before out of the blue pops some gravel road. From here its another 1km downhill past the Substation before you're back to where you started.
You have now completed the Tuatara Trail which doubles as a race held by the W.C.A.C each November.

Brilliant views from Multiple Lookouts along the trail.
Best parts about this run are accessibility from town (no transport required), decent vertical for those wanting to grow some mountain legs and a feeling of a real West Coast run up through the naturally formed technical trail.
Downside would only be for those wanting a run, there's probably as much walking as running in this one. Oh, and for those not wanting to get their new inov8s dirty ...better look elsewhere .

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

0 km

2 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

You must head straight past "return via same route" sign at the top of king park walkway - Tuatara trail marked by large T in orange

Generally good.

Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

None

Extreme mud during rain

DP1
Mawhera Quay
Best Coffee in Town

Trail Legend

Jarrod Rae

Jarrod Rae

has completed Tuatara Trail Run twice in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Gnarly as! Would not recommend doing this in road shoes like I did, made things interesting.

Nick Johnston

January 7, 2021

This is a great track close to town with good elevation. But be prepared to get muddy! Lots of fun.

Vicky Youngman

January 3, 2021

Slippy and slidey but great fun trail and fab to be able to access it from town.

Rachel Hanney

May 7, 2020

Good fun, I did it in the wet too so yep it was muddy and slippery. Not fast, lots of scrambling over trees, trying to stay on my feet and finally bashing through waist deep grass, but an adventure! Great description given above, and I'd agree there are loads of markers in the bush so if you haven't seen the next one you're off route.

Maggie Davies

January 22, 2020

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