Mount Te KingaBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Katie Smith
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Mountainous
Native bushLakesideOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Beginner - Intermediate
4:30 (Slow)
3:15 (Moderate)
2:00 (Fast)
-20.3%
+20.3%
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Description
The track starts from the car park, heading into lush bush away from the lake. The first bit is well-groomed, with info signs on different trees and plants. For the first 2km the track is undulating, gradually gaining height and passing three great lookouts with views over the lake. After the third one you'll see a sign saying 6hrs return to the summit. From here the track gradient increases and the track gets a lot rougher, with plenty of roots and some windfall to negotiate.
It is a fairly unrelenting climb as you move through the vegetation zones - once you get into dracophyllum you're nearly out onto the tops. As soon as you reach the scrub zone there are expansive views back across Lake Brunner and the surrounding area. It is another 500m or so to the top, which can be seen from the bush line. Pick you way through the tussock - the poled route isn't always obvious but you can't go too far wrong as long as you keep heading upwards. There is a sign just below the trig saying "Summit", but the true summit is actually about 800m or so away along the ridgeline beyond the trig. This is untracked and involves a couple of ups and down through open tussock but is straightforward (not included in this gpx, so add time and distance to the guideline if you're adding this bit).
The trig itself is a good objective with stunning views over the lake to the Tasman, and inland to Mts Alexander and Tara Tama. Once you've soaked it all in, turn around and descend the same way you came - the downhill is all runnable and a lot of fun.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Lush bush with lots of birdlife - listen out for kaka
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 40%
Moderate Single Track: 50%
Easy Single Track: 10%
Route Data
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Access
Take the marked turn-off to Iveagh Bay from the Moana-Inchbonnie road, about 4km from Moana. Follow this until you reach the car park down by the lake. There are signs to Te Kinga track.
Lots of parking available (though it gets busy in summer), no public transport
7 km
10 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
Once you get out of the bush the route is poled - some of these are lower than the scrub, but just follow your nose upwards and you should go wrong.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Little available en route - about halfway up you can hear a small waterfall off the left side of the track which is possible to scramble down to if you need a refill. Water available from toilet block at the car park.
The tops can be exposed any time of year and the weather changes quickly. Parts of the track get very muddy after rain.
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Post run indulgence
Station House cafe
Moana
Good food with lovely views over the lake. Try the macadamia brittle! -
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