Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Coastal
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.6%
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4:30
Slow
3:30
Moderate
2:30
Fast
This run takes you on a loop starting from Whatipu and following the Hillary Trail along the Gibbons and Muir tracks down into the historic Pararaha Valley. Turn left at the Pararaha Shelter and head down the valley towards the coast. The loop then takes you on a steep climb up Buck Taylor Track (a right hand turn), then right down the Odlins Timber Track to cross the Pararaha stream near its headwater, followed by a long steady climb of about 5km up to Karamataura Forks.
From there you head back down towards Whatipu taking in Puriri Ridge, and great views down the valley to Whatipu, and then a left turn (where the original Wild Turkey loop heads down Kura) towards Omanawanui. You follow the Omanawanui Track along the coastal cliff tops back down a steep decent into the Whatipu Carpark.
IMPORTANT: Please ensure you use all of the Council provided Kauri Dieback shoe wash stations you come across on the trail. Scrub then spray.
Please clean your shoes before running and after you are finished. We are all responsible for helping minimize the spread of this nasty disease.
Parahaha Valley and Omanawanui Track are both stunning.
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.
Ample carparking at Whatipu
9 km
20 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Well signposted, just keep an eye on the map if you're new to the area.
Very patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map
There is water at the start and finish at Whatipu. Taking water from the UPPER crossing of the Pararaha is generally safe too.
Runnable all year round. Omanawanui is very exposed and can be very hot in mid-summer.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Huia Store
Huia
Great coffee, pies and icecreams.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Wild Turkey & Omanawanui
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JT
Excellent training run. Straight into the good stuff with a climb up to some great views. The run down to Pararaha Valley is great and there is a jaw dropping moment when you come out into the valley. Lots of good climbing, quite a bit of downhill action and some nice muddy sections in September.
September 17, 2017
These overlap with this trail 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 activity for each.