Back country - remote
Out and Back
Mountainous
With permit
Native bush
Riverside
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +15.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -15.3%
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5:00
Slow
3:30
Moderate
2:15
Fast
Starting at the Kaniwhaniwha reserve carpark, head up to and through to the Kaniwhaniwha Campsite at 2.5km.
From the campsite follow the Tahuanui Track for a hard climb of about 6.5km until it meets the Tirohanga Track. Turn right (South West), following the Tirohanga Track for approximately 1km to the Pirongia Summit.
Pat your self on the back and head back the way you came.
There's a stream at the bottom to clean your self up - you might need it.
This trail includes the peak Pirongia.
Plenty of views from along the track and from the tower. On a clear day you will see Ruapahu.
Long drops at Kaniwhaniwha Reserve (start point). Long drops at Kaniwhaniwha Campsite (2.5k).
The trail starts at the Kaniwhaniwha Reserve on Limeworks Loop Road, Te Pahu. Plenty of parking - pretty safe - lots of people coming and going. From Hamilton take SH23 to Whatawhata. Turn left onto Te Pahu Road after the bridge over the Waipa River. Limeworks Loop Road is about 10.6 km on the right.
4 km
10 minutes
With Permit
No
Moderate.
Follow the organge markers. You follow the ridge all the way up.
Patchy.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
No drinkable water. Riverwater via taps at the campsite, and you can go 1k further to the hut to get rain water.
In the winter, expect mud.
Not all rocks are solid.
Who knows what's in the bottom of the bogs.
Can get very windy at the top.
Whatawhata backyar Pub
Whatawhata
Beers, Chips and Burgers.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Tuhuanui half (ish)
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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.