Last Updated: 12th Aug 2024
Bell Blast
Last Updated: 12th Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 16 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
11.5km
225m
225m
260m
Last Updated: 12th Aug 2024
Last Updated: 12th Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 16 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
11.5km
225m
225m
260m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
With permit
Native bush
Riverside
Open farmlands
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +4.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -4.7%
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
2:15
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:00
Fast
From the car park cross over the road and head up stream. This gravel farm track continues for 2 km before reaching the bush line. Following the signs marked Kahikatea tree/Bell track turn right in to the native bush. There are a couple of small intersections before you reach the start of Bell track. Again veer right and follow the signs. Turn right on to Bell Track and continue along past the caves, here is when the single track begins. Follow the orange markers. Bell Track follows Blue Bull Stream with some small hills and lots of mud for a few kms. Staying on the same side of the stream, continue past the swing bridge 500m to reach the Kahikatea tree. Then just head back the way you came.
There are two extra special things to check out on this run.
Firstly the Kaniwhaniwha caves. This is a 5 minute detour though a small cave right next to the Bell track junction off the Nikau walk. Pack a torch or cellphone.
Secondly at the turn around point stands the tallest Kahikatea tree! At 66.5m its hard to miss.
Long drops at Kaniwhaniwha Reserve (start point) and at the campsite 2.5Km in.
31 km
31 minutes
With Permit
No
Moderate.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Pack your own
Expect more mud and wetness after rain or during winter.
Pirongia Village Cafe
756 Franklin Road, Pirongia
Great coffee. Plus while you are there 'bag' the relocated Mt Pirongia trig. Just across the road- on the flat.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Bell Blast
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
Lots of mud! That'll teach me for going on a rainy August day. Lots of tree roots too! Fun for scrambling, and helped me appreciate the more runnable bits. Cool swing bridge and info about the tallest Kahikatea tree at the other end. Worth doing 🌳💕
August 12
Used this trail as a recovery session after day before killer session. Brilliant choice for this option.
April 18, 2022
This is a really good trail. First 2km is nice flat run where you can really boost it before hitting the bush. The bush has heaps of roots for the most part and is quite technical at times so watch your footing. There are some little climbs which make it a good workout too. Beautiful surroundings (river, epic tree at the end).. overall 5 stars
March 28, 2021
Great run. Good warm up section. Not too muddy in summer. You can actually run in a few sections.
February 27, 2021
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.
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
