Last Updated: 11th Mar 2024

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Cape Foulwind

Westport, West Coast

Submitted by Katie Smith

Last Updated: 11th Mar 2024

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 12

Gnarl Factor: 20

10.9km

185m

185m

69m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Combo

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Run Makeup

85%
10%
5%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +4.8%

Average Downhill Gradient: -5.6%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:45

Slow

1:05

Moderate

0:50

Fast

Start at the Cape Foulwind car park and head up the obvious well-maintained track. This heads past the lighthouse then follows the clifftops along past the seal colony (stop and see how many you can spot) before gradually descending to Tauranga Bay. Run through the carpark here and down onto the beach. Have a look for surfers on the waves.

At the far end of the beach hop back up onto the tar seal and follow it along the coastline. It stops after a short distance, and here you can pick up a rough track that continues on along round the headland. Continue on this until you reach a little cove with a double archway eroded out of the rocks - head under it and have a look around. This is a good turnaround point if you want to keep running, as from here it is more scrambling over rocky headland, but if this is your thing keep going as far as you like! Otherwise, turn around and retrace your steps.

On the way back look out for a smaller track on the left that descends steeply towards the point at the end of the big rocky bay - you can see the track at the bottom from the top walkway, and there is a small sign marking it. Drop down, then head right - this follows the headland at a lower level, before becoming a 4WD track for a short distance just before joining up with the road to the carpark. Head right when you meet this and you are back at your car.

The seal colony near the south end of the track is well worth a stop.

Plenty of parking with public toilets.

14 km

13 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Patchy.

Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

None available

Exposed to the wind on the cliffs, and to the sea on the coastal rocks (big surf at times)

Trail Legend

Sarah Coxon

Sarah Coxon

has completed Cape Foulwind once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Definitely gets 5 stars, just for the views! Lots of nice ups and downs. The tide was super high, so I couldn't run along the beach, but the cycle trail follows around nicely. Fun little addition at the end, dropping down toward the point.

Tara Jackson

May 22, 2022

Stunning. So lucky to have caught a sunny day and no foul wind. Seals and pups, birds and bees. Wonderful.

Isobel Stout

February 12, 2021

Stunning. So lucky to have caught a sunny day and no foul wind. Seals and pups, birds and bees. Wonderful.

Isobel Stout

February 12, 2021

really enjoyable stretch. Loved the extra at the end too!

Tony Sharpe

July 19, 2020

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