Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -13.1%
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1:45
Slow
1:20
Moderate
0:50
Fast
Start at the carpark as marked. Head left along the main road for a short distance before turning right onto Cheviot Road. This turns left then right again - follow it to the end. Here the single track starts. Follow it uphill, keeping right at two junctions, signposted to "Main Ridge Track". Once you reach this the main amount of climbing is behind you and the track undulates along the ridge with beautiful glimpses of the harbour out to the right.
At the next junction you can either keep left and continue to the Mt Lowry trig point itself ( a further 800m or so), or head back downhill on the right-hand track. If you go to the trig point turn around and come back the same way. Follow the track steeply downhill over rooty broken ground. Eventually you pop out on Kaitawa Road - turn left down onto the waterfront the right along the main road back to your car.
Stunning views out across Wellington Harbour
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Plenty of parking
7 km
10 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Generally good.
Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
You cross a small creek on the descent
Exposed to wind along the ridgeline track
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Mt Lowry
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Tough run - particularly dropping down to Kaitawa Road. Our group mostly hiked the steep bits. Unfortunately no view at the top when we were there but the trail through the native bush was absolutely gorgeous. It would be very mucky and slippery after rain.
December 7, 2021
Gorgeous wee trail with a stunning run along the main ridge. And what Joe said above - running in reverse and then down to Cheviot Road means you get the gnarly climb done with fresh legs then a great descent at the other end.
May 15, 2021
Love this trail. You can feel a million miles from civilization, yet be back and eating hot pizza at Days Bay before you know it. Main Ridge track is awesome to run on and usually deserted. Kaitawa track is very gnarly so unless you're a true mountain goat, I would advise running this in reverse.
November 18, 2020
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.