Last Updated: 8th Jul 2024
Cape Foulwind Kawatiri Loop
Kawatiri Coastal Trail, Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
Cape Foulwind Walkway
Submitted by Stewie Stuart
Last Updated: 8th Jul 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
6.5km
210m
210m
Last Updated: 8th Jul 2024
Cape Foulwind Walkway
Submitted by Stewie Stuart
Last Updated: 8th Jul 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
6.5km
210m
210m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Coastal
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +6.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -6.4%
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1:20
Slow
50:00
Moderate
35
Fast
This track can be done in either direction with little difference in ascent/decent.
Starting at the Omau/Cape Foulwind carpark head up the obvious well-maintained track towards the Cape Foulwind Lighthouse & historic site. The well maintained track then undulates following the tops of the coastal Bluffs before descending towards the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony. You will know you are close as you smell the seal oil in the sea breeze. Surfers can also be spotted catching waves in Tauranga Bay.
Continue descending before reaching the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony Carpark (Toilets & Water Available). Keep left as you exit the track and continue along a short section of footpath towards the signposted Kawatiri Coastal Trail. Follow this well formed trail inland and be wary of bikers on the trail.
The trail ascends following exposed areas through 'Williams Gully,' passing alongside areas where limestone was mined up until 2016 by Holcim. The track then deviates away from the Limestone workings and heads inland through a short section of native bush before meeting back up with Lighthouse Road and the Cape Foulwind/Omau Carpark.
Cape Foulwind Seal Colony, Cape Foulwind Lighthouse.
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.
From Westport Drive West along SH67A towards Cape Foulwind. Turn right and head down Lighthouse Road to the well signposted Omau car park. Plenty of free carparking at the start along with toilet facilities. This run starts from the smaller carpark, which is 50m down the road from the main carpark, which can be quite busy at times.
1 km
2 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Patchy.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Minimal available however some water can be obtained from the toilet blocks at Tauranga Bay (may require filtering).
Exposed to the wind on the cliffs and hot through the Kawatiri Coastal section in summer.
Mountain Bikers on the trail along the second half of the run.
The Star Tavern
6 Lighthouse Road, Cape Foulwind
https://www.facebook.com/StarTavernWestCoast/
Pub Food - Great burgers and chips
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Cape Foulwind Kawatiri Loop
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Great on any day rain or shine. The bush through the Kawatiri section on the run back is pure trail running bliss.
November 6
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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