Mt William LoopIntermediate - Experienced
Submitted by Katie Smith
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushRiversideOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Intermediate - Experienced
Not Suitable (Slow)
3:00 (Moderate)
2:00 (Fast)
-11.5%
+11.4%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
This is a really nice mix of steep technical track, open tops, route finding and smooth 4WD roads.
From the carpark head back along the road and take the steep right (now left) turn you passed. After about 100m you cross a bridge - soon after this you see a wooden sign for Myra's Track - take this and enter the bush here. Soon afterwards it crosses a 4WD track - it continues just up to the left as you cross. Initially this crosses a swampy pakihi area before entering the bush again and climbing fairly steeply for 2km.
Just before the top it winds under some overhanging rocks, then pops out above the bush line. From here you can see the trig on Mt William. Head to here. From the trig take a good look around and get your bearings. The route on is unmarked - you are heading northeast down the broad open ridge towards Cedar Creek Saddle. There is the very occasional white pole marking the route, but in general follow your nose.
There are a couple of small scrubby gullies to climb through, but in general its lovely open running amongst interesting rock formations. As the ridge narrows and prepares to enter the bush, take some time to pick up the flagged route. If you can't find it it might be better to turn back - the bush is thick and slow going, and it wouldn't be hard to get lost. Once you find the trail, however, its easy to follow. It heads down to Cedar Creek Saddle then climbs back towards point 781, passing it to the west. It then drops into a creek before coming up to meet a 4WD road under the pylons. From here head left on the main 4WD track. After a steep downhill take the left fork. It will meet the Wainmangaroa River, which you follow for a short distance, before leaving it for a gentle 2km climb back to the carpark to complete the loop.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Great views from Mt William, lots of mining history in the area.
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 40%
Technical Single Track: 20%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 40%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each

Myra's Track plus a bit
Length: 8.50km
Photos:
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Access
Turn off SH67 at Waimangaroa, follow signs up to Denniston. Once up on the plateau go right at the first intersection, then turn left, signposted to Coalbrookdale and Burnett's Face. After a downhill there is a steep sharp right turn - ignore this and go straight for 100m, park at the area here.
Plenty of parking, no public transport
28 km
31 minutes
Yes
No
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Staying Safe
Hard.
If you can't find the bush track entrance off the tops, retrace your steps and go back the way you came.
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, Compass, Map.
Plenty of tarns on the tops. River water is best avoided due to mining contamination over the years
Very exposed on the tops
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