Mt TuhuaIntermediate
Submitted by Katie Smith
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Mountainous
Native bushOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Intermediate
Not Suitable (Slow)
3:30 (Moderate)
2:00 (Fast)
-26.6%
+26.6%
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Description
This is a steep out and back to the top of Mount Tuhua. There are several sections that are fairly unrunnable, but the bits that are make it worthwhile.
The track starts off at a gentle gradient through rainforest for about the first kilometre, before starting to climb increasingly steeply. The bush is thick, but there are two viewpoints along the way which look back across Lake Kaniere, and show you how far you've climbed already.
After around 2km of solid climbing there is a brief enjoyable downhill to get the legs moving again, and at around the 3km mark you pop out about the bush line for some stunning views. This section is great open ridgeline running, with one last steep rocky section just before the summit trig. From here there is a tarn visible about 200m below if you need to top up on water.
Enjoy the well-earned views before turning and heading back the way you came and letting gravity do its work!
Trail Community
Features of interest
Great views over Lake Kaniere, the Arahura Valley, out to the Tasman Sea and inland to the Southern Alps
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 70%
Moderate Single Track: 30%
Route Data
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Access
From Hokitika follow signs to Lake Kaniere. Drive through Hans Bay and past the DoC campsite, and on as the road turns to gravel. After a few hundred metres you will see a DoC sign for Mt Tuhua on the left.
There is space for only 2-3 cars at the start of the track - if no space here there is plenty back in Hans Bay.
No public transport21 km
23 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Moderate.
The track is generally well marked with Doc orange triangles, but above the bush line it is poled intermittently, and could be difficult in poor visibility
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Very little water along the track, but plenty from the public toilets at Hans Bay, or from tarns below the summit.
Snow on the tops in winter, notoriously changeable weather, and the section above the bush line is exposed to wind at any time of year.
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Post run indulgence
Stella's Cafe
Hokitika
Good coffee and food, nice atmosphere - Blog Posts and Articles
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