Last Updated: 8th Feb 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Challenge Track

Hunua, Auckland

Submitted by Brad Harris

Last Updated: 8th Feb 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 18 ?

Gnarl Factor: 42 ?

10.0km

560m

560m

384m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Run Makeup

10%
20%
60%
10%

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +11.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.4%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:00

Slow

1:30

Moderate

1:05

Fast

Starting from the wooden gate, follow along the gravel road (Repeater Rd) for 900m until you reach the fork. Along this stretch there are two lookouts if you're after a photo looking over the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam. Head to the right at the fork, and you will pass the Repeater Campsite on your left immediately before the sign labelled Challenge Track. From there follow your nose, there are no other turns / options to go the wrong way until you reach the end of the Challenge Track. From here turn around and head back the way you came.

Views of both the Upper Mangatawhiri Dam and Wairoa Dam

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.

Plenty of parking at the intersection of Moumoukai and Repeater Roads. No public transport options available.

11 km

13 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

If you see the Wairoa Loop Track on your left, or reach the end of Repeater road with the radio repeater station, you have missed the right turn at the fork.

Non-existent.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

No drinking water available in the park, all available water is non-treated

Very muddy and slippery after rain, and as this track is used mostly for Mountain Biking, it does suffer some damage when wet and become slippery on several clay patches.

Look out for overhead branches, and slippery clay on climbs

Trail Legend

KF

Kirsten Fryer

has completed Challenge Track once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

This track is an advanced mountain bike track and rutted as you would expect, with overgrown parts of cutty grass (recommend gaiters). It does not appear to be well used. Despite this, it's still a fun afternoon out in the bush. I saw no one until I returned to my car.

Kirsten Fryer

February 6, 2024

I did it the opposite way. Running up the Warerline road, turning left at the gate and then into Challenger Track. This was great running, some good hills and has probably been cleared recently an awesome training trail run!!

Annelise La Roche

May 28, 2020

While its not along, the name Challenge Track is accurate. Plenty of vert for a short distance, and with some rutted and slippery clay after rain it certainly can be a challenge. Climbs are short and sharp, but the track is largely runnable

Brad Harris

May 24, 2020

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