Last Updated: 7th Jun 2024

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Pinnacles Summit

Kauaeranga Kauri Trail

Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles)

Thames, Waikato

Submitted by David Haunschmidt

Last Updated: 7th Jun 2024

Intermediate

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Grunt Factor: 29 ?

Gnarl Factor: 58 ?

14.1km

Length of run

900m

Total Ascent

910m

Total Descent

Driving Time

Driving Distance

Directions to start

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Very hilly

Native bush

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Run Makeup

10%

20%

50%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +12.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -12.8%

Trailhead

Estimated Times to Run

5:00

Slow

2:15

Moderate

1:30

Fast

GPX File

Topo Map

3D Satellite

Guide

Start from the visitor centre at Kauaeranga Road end. Follow the road and DOC signs up to the swing bridge to cross the Kauaeranga River.

Take the first track on your right which leads you to the marked Billygoat Landing, then follow signs to Webb Creek Track/Pinnacles summit. You'll follow great singletrail and climb steps cut into rock. You reach hydro Camp junction, where there signs to Pinnacles Track/summit.

Climb to the bushline and to the open tops with great views of the pinnacles. Pinnacles Hut and Campsite are a short walk down signposted side tracks. You can ignore these and follow the signs directly to Pinnacles Summit. A steady climb, steep in places, follows a well constructed stepped track.

The final stage of the ascent includes climbing ladders. At the Pinnacles summit (759 m) there are spectacular views of the bush, mountains and coastline of the eastern Coromandel. Stay within the fenced summit platform.

Return the way you came.

This trail includes the peak The Pinnacles.

Excellent single track. Old logging tracks and stone steps. Fantastic views.

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.

Transport and parking:

Plenty of parking at the the visitor centre/road end.

Distance from Thames:

22 km

Driving time from Thames:

34 minutes

Dog friendly:

Landowner permission required:

Navigation Rating:

Easy.

Navigation Tips:

Follow the DOC signs and markers.

Cellphone Coverage:

Patchy.

Suggested Gear List:

Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Availability of Water:

Take your own.

Seasonality Issues:

Pack for the weather.

Hazards:

Technical in places. Can be slippery in the wet. Exposed tops.

Trail Legend

Dylan Arthur

has completed Pinnacles Summit 3 times in the last year.

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Overlapping Trails

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.