Urban fringe
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Riverside
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +3.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -4.7%
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1:10
Slow
0:55
Moderate
0:40
Fast
As you leave the carpark look straight over the road, next to the signpost (pointing to the loos) you will see a worn unofficial trail next to a wooden fence. Follow that small trail and you will come down onto the path to the footbridge over the river. Over you go... on the other side turn left immediately onto the grass.... look over the grass under the trees and you should see a DOC sign about 100m away. Head to that and then follow the trail.
After a kilometre or so you will reach Wharepuke Falls, not as high but just as impressive as Rainbow. Stop now for pics or on the way back. Then just follow the main trail to Rainbow Falls. Once you get there and have a couple of pics, carry on up the hill past the low view of the falls to the upper viewing area which conveniently occurs at almost exactly 4km. Than just retrace you steps... except when you go over the footbridge again, head left at the end, then down onto the grass and swing around to the right to take in the very cool Stone Store
Two lovely waterfalls, plenty of rapids and of course the Stone Store.... oh and an early Hydro Power Station.
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Good size carpark, never been full of the 10 or so times I have run this route.
2 km
4 minutes
No
No
Easy.
You should never go wrong on this track... very easy!
Generally good.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone
There is a whole river full right next to you most of the way, but this run was so cruisey I went with no drink at all.
Stay away if river is in flood, could get a touch muddy in really bad weather, but the trail is so good you really shouldn't have any problems.
The danger with well formed trails is that very occasional root or rock that sticks up. This trail caught me the second time I ran it with a very innocuous rock grabbing my foot and sending me sprawling.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Stone Store to Rainbow
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Great short run with some elevation and plenty of tree cover to keep temperature down.
April 9, 2022
Loved this trail, easy under foot, 95% sheltered by trees, gorgeous bush and beautiful waterfalls.
April 1, 2022
What a lovely track! I was up for the Kerikeri Half Marathon and really wanted to check this trail out. I must say it was rather refreshing with the amount of tree top canopy shelter on the trail compared to the morning in the heat! There is two waterfalls along this trail. I highly recommend pausing your watch getting your feet wet and crossing the water to the other side (when you are at Rainbow falls looking straight at it where the seat is on the path) and exploring by climbing up along the the cliff rock face to get in behind the actual water fall! Amazing experience! It is rather slippery and muddy leading into it as the water sprays back into the cave like area. (I will load photos of it given it is part of this track but not this official trail route as listed above). Also there is another trail/waterfall a short drive up the road called Charlie's Rock, I didn't get to check that one out this time.
November 25, 2019