Last Updated: 26th Jul 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

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I've done it Done

East Whakanui loop

Last Updated: 26th Jul 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 66 ?

Gnarl Factor: 92 ?

19.7km

2010m

1990m

800m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Combo

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Run Makeup

100%

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +19.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -19.6%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

7:00

Slow

5:00

Moderate

3:30

Fast

At the junctions on the first climb take the left options, following orange triangles on the Whakanui track and blue triangles once on the East Whakanui track.

Follow the East Whakanui track down to the river and cross the side stream and follow the Whakanui track straight back up to the top.

Take the left options at the junctions until you're back on your route from earlier. Go straight through at the Mckerrow track junction and follow your footprints back down to the carpark.

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.

3 km

5 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Very patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries

Usually water in the Orongorongo river is safe to drink, but this isn't recommended after long dry spells or heavy rain.

Can get quite muddy after sustained rain.

Trail Legend

AF

Aimee Francois

has completed East Whakanui loop once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

First time I've done the loop and it won't be the last! Definitely technical in places and some lung busting hills but it's beautiful, varied, and would have some good views on a nice day (which unfortunately was not my day). Had the loop to myself

Aimee Francois

March 3, 2024

Love it! Great wet weather option if you don’t mind mud, but finally ran it on a sunny day and it’s even better - views to Mt Matthews and even across to the Kaikōuras. Look out for the huge rata too.

Katie Smith

January 12, 2023

Great loop. I've always gone other way round... Down Whakanui & Up East Whakanui

Billie Marshall

December 27, 2022

Beautiful loop. The East track has some gorgeous stretches of goblin forest. The tracks can be muddy but wasn’t too bad today.

Joe Benbow

September 16, 2022

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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.

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