Last Updated: 4th Jun 2024
Manawatu Gorge Track
Last Updated: 4th Jun 2024
Grunt Factor: 36 ?
Gnarl Factor: 49 ?
21.0km
1110m
1110m
395m
Last Updated: 4th Jun 2024
Last Updated: 4th Jun 2024
Grunt Factor: 36 ?
Gnarl Factor: 49 ?
21.0km
1110m
1110m
395m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Riverside
Other
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +14.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.4%
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4:00
Slow
3:00
Moderate
2:00
Fast
You no longer cross under the highway to access the track due to the gorge road being permanently closed. Just follow the track from the carpark to the trail entrance. The Woodville end is open and carparks are available there too, so you could run the track from either direction.
If you're going from the gpx start, once you're at the highest point, it undulates until the climb down to the Woodville end.
Views of windfarm and stream crossings (bridged)
There is a public toilet approximately halfway along the trail.
Manawatu Gorge Ashhurst end carpark. You can park at the Woodville end by driving over the bridge at Woodville end of gorge, the road is called Gorge road and the carpark is about 200m from the bridge. However, this end of track is currently closed due to a slide (when this might be fixed is unclear).
3 km
4 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Generally good.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
No water
Rainy, muddy and cold in winter
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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LP
Love this track, and run it often. When starting at Ashhurst end it's a good climb to the top and great run down the otherside. But make sure you've left some in the tank cos the return climb back up is a goodie!! Always great to finish on a zoomy downhill.
April 25, 2023
Really enjoyed this trail. Went after a day of rain and not too many muddy patches. Definitely do it again 🙂
June 14, 2022
PC
Just back from my first outing on this one. 2h 35m, which I was happy with.
It's a beautiful run, but those climbs at either end are brutal. I started at 8am and it got quite chilly in the parts where the trail dipped into the cloud that was filling the gorge. I'll stick gloves in the vest next time as my hands are not the best in the cold.
I didn't stop at any of the view points, but the sun beaming through the trees and low cloud was something special to see.
Left an empty car park and returned to a full one. No problems with crowds but I would go early unless it's a work day.
The final descent back to the Ashurst car park was so much fun it should be illegal.
April 15, 2022
SH
I run this trail often. Awesome runnable trail, well maintained, can be slick in the wet on the downhills. The Ashhurst side of the trail can get a bit busy with people out taking a walk for the first couple or K's and the same on the return but normally the rest of the trail is quiet and you have it to your self.
January 27, 2022
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.
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