Last Updated: 19th Mar 2024
Knights - Shorts loop track with Toka peak
Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui
Submitted by Vee (Veerle) Geens
Last Updated: 19th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 43 ?
Gnarl Factor: 76 ?
13.5km
1185m
1170m
1516m
Last Updated: 19th Mar 2024
Palmerston North, Manawatu - Wanganui
Submitted by Vee (Veerle) Geens
Last Updated: 19th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 43 ?
Gnarl Factor: 76 ?
13.5km
1185m
1170m
1516m
Back country - remote
Loop
Very hilly
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +17.2%
Average Downhill Gradient: -17.0%
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5:00
Slow
4:00
Moderate
2:30
Fast
This is a beautiful classic day walk in the Ruahine Forest Park and quite fun to run as well.
Start at the Limestone carpark and run the first couple of hundred meters over farmland before crossing a river (depending on the amount of rain you may end up with wet feet at this crossing) and start the track through the bush.
Going up Knights track the beginning is quite undulating until you reach the river for a second time. After crossing the river and the grassy patch the real climb begins. Classic Ruahine steep climb to the ridges. Enjoy all the beautiful bush (tall Rimu, changing to the leatherwoods and grasses on the open tops).
Once you reach the top of the track you can go have a short detour to Toka peak which offers on a beautiful day incredible views all across the ranges with fabulous views of Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, and the Central Plateau and Mount Taranaki.
Retreat your steps and now follow the Shorts track which is lovely running across the tops for some time before dipping back into the bush and descending down.
The last couple of km's are wonderful running.
Make sure to check the weather before setting off as this track is partially on the open tops! The wind can be absolutely ruthless and snow can be expected in winter.
The track is well marked.
You can do this in either direction; the Knights track is shorter and steeper, while the Shorts track is a bit longer and less steep (though still pretty steep in places).
This trail includes the peak Toka.
If you run the ridge from the Shorts track back down (or the opposite), be sure to watch out for a New Zealand falcon flying over, it seems to be living there and is a beauty.
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.
Couple of carparks available, no public toilet at the start.
78 km
73 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
The track is pretty clear, orange triangles in the bush, poles on the tops. Careful in bad weather as visibility can drop on the tops!
Very patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map
There is water from the river at the beginning of the track, but afterwards no clean water (or bring a water purifier for the tarn water if desperate).
Can get very muddy after rain, exposed to cold winds on tops at any time of year, snow on the tops in winter, check the forecast!
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Knights - Shorts loop track with Toka peak
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I have done this trail on the 6th of March 2022. It was a hot, cloudless day and the final climb to the junction was brutal once clear of the tree cover.
I am not as fit as many on this site, and there was no running, but it was a great day's hike. A real challenge.
I didn't time myself, but now that I am on this, I will have to start.
February 4, 2023
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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