Takorika Bites!

Head up the trail and, at the very start, there is a box on the side with walking sticks (straight branches), for use when climbing. Head on up the 4wd road through the gate ignoring the side trails.

About 400m from where you left the sealed road you will see a sign for Takorika Peak, start your climb in earnest. From here it is a straightforward slog following the signs for Takorika. However you do have choices: firstly is the Lookout Loop off to your left, this does what it says and loops out to a viewpoint and then climbs back to the trail further up. Then further up you will come to an intersection with the option of going left again onto the Escarpment Track. Again this lengthens the route but the climbing is probably a bit easier.

Eventually, just short of the top, you will come out onto the 4WD track. From the top, head back down the 4WD track/road for 1.2km passing the Waterfall Track and the MTB Track signs until you are right at the transmitter tower, follow the grassy signposted track (Ridge Track) to the right of the tower and start heading down.

Parts of this are runnable and parts not, so take care. Follow all the way down to an intersection nearly at the bottom with three options, take the one that heads down (the centre one) and it will spit you out just above the box to put your walking sticks in. Then back to your car and into town for a beer!