Urban fringe
Loop
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Gravel Road
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.9%
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2:30
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:00
Fast
From the car park, head left along Windy Road towards Blue Lake and follow the Black track signs, after entering the bush at about 1km from the start, there is a small post with a Black Track arrow pointing left, if you look right at this point you will see some red and white tape heading up hill - this is the RTRC club track. Follow the red and white tape up this super knarly track until you come out at the top of the forest on Tawa Road.
Just before the top the trail reaches a MTB track, this is where the tape stops, turn left here and in about 80m you will reach the road.Head left to the top of the hill where you will see a sign for the Tuhoto Ariki Track. Follow this to the very end, where it pops out onto Moerangi Road. Head right and down. You will pass one major intersection with large rocks piled on both sides of the road, go past this and past the next forestry road heading off to the right.
When you reach a T intersection with a sign for Moerangi Road pointing where you've just been, turn right again and up Hill Road. Go to the top of Hill and down the other side. On reaching the bottom of Hill Rd, continue on the footpath on the left side of carpark back to your car.
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.
Park at the carpark opposite the Black Shack
9 km
11 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Generally good.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
There is no water on this loop
This track is runnable all year, the RTRC club track can be muddy in the wet
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and RTRC Club Track Loop
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JH
Bring a map for the RTRC club track slog. A fallen tree around halfway makes it difficult to find the trail markers.
October 8
Great track this, a bit of everything... the early section up RTRC Track is sheer slog... over 300m vert in about 2km and most of it tree roots, mud and steep cambers. Then onto a personal favourite, Tuhoto Ariki. Better formed trail through here, but enough ruggedness to keep you honest. Then in the second half of the run, wonderful views over the countryside around Rotorua, the city and the lake.A tough demanding 12km... but worth it!
September 8, 2019
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.