10 - Lake Wainamu and Houghton Tracks (Bethells - Te Henga)

Lake Wainamu Track

Houghton Track

Lake Wainamu and Smythe Ridge

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	10 - Lake Wainamu and Houghton Tracks
Region:	Bethells - Te Henga
Access Point:	Bethells Rd
Coordinates:	-36.88391 174.45266
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
132	Lake Wainamu Track (clockwise)	4.0
131	Houghton Track	2.1
131	return Houghton Track	2.1
132	Lake Wainamu Track (clockwise)	3.1
	Map Distance	11.3
	Measured Distance	11.7

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 18 NOV 2011

131. Houghton Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, rocks, roots, dirt, narrow, well-marked, steep slope, bush-covered.
comments:
A relentless 2 km steep rise to Smyth Ridge with plenty of obstacles underfoot. Ignore the lesser-formed side tracks as they lead to private property. This track is part of the Hillary trail.

                                                                                                                        

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132. Lake Wainamu Track

keywords:  

runnable, non-technical, sand/grass/dirt/gravel, wide with some single-track, well-marked, flat, open, view (waterfalls, dunes and Lake Wainamu).

comments: 

A flat and open loop track around Lake Wainamu taking in some stunning and unique scenery. You can intensify this run by ascending the dunes or choosing the loose sandy sections as terrain. A small side-trip will reveal a set of water-falls. Part of the Lake Wainamu loop is included in the Hillary trail.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 10 Lake Wainamu and Houghton Tracks in a larger map

Lake Wainamu Track

Lake Wainamu Track

Lake Wainamu Track

Houghton Track

8 - Upper Nihotupu Walk (Arataki)

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	8 Upper Nihotupu Walk
Region:	Arataki
Access Point:	Piha Road
Coordinates:	-36.93619 174.55926
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
51	Upper Nihotupu Walk	2.6
51	return Upper Nihotupu Walk	2.6
	Map Distance Measured Distance	5.2 *6.4

*Includes additional return distance to tunnels
                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 15 NOV 2011

51. Upper Nihotupu Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel, wide, well-marked, gentle to medium slope, semi bush-covered, stairs (up dam face), views (dam, waterfall, tram-tracks and tunnels)

comments:

A very easy short run of a gentle to medium incline to Upper Nihotupu Dam and other features. There is a noteworthy stair climb up the dam face.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 8 Upper Nihotupu Walk in a larger map

2 - Te Henga Walkway (Bethells-Te Henga)

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	2 - Te-Henga Walkway
Region:	Bethells - Te Henga
Access Point:	Constable Road
Coordinates:	-36.84880 174.44373
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
142	Te Henga-Goldie Bush Walkway (west)	8.8
142	return Te Henga-Goldie Bush Walkway (west)	8.8
	Map Distance Measured Distance	17.6 19.0

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 12 NOV 2011

142. Te Henga-Goldie Bush Walkway (west)

keywords:

Runnable (mostly), technical, knee and head high vegetation, uneven dirt/grass surface, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, stairs (few), exposed, view (west coastline)

comments:

An extremely challenging, highly technical cliff run. A combination of flax, gorse, and long grass as well as hidden uneven surfaces, make sections of this track very frustrating to run. The trail veers and slopes towards a steep drop on occasion and is suffering from erosion. And of course there's the stunning view to tempt your eyes from the track, which may have consequences. Out and back - its a long run! There is a steep ascent from Bethells Beach to the ridge line and up to Constable Road, with undulating ground in-between, traversing headlands and bays. Just stunning!

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 2 Te Henga Walkway in a larger map

4 - Ferndown and Taumata Tracks (Cascades)

Ferndown Track

Taumata Track

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	4 - Ferndown - Taumata Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Opanuku Rd
Coordinates:	-36.91831 174.56834
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
127	Ferndown Track	2.2
127	return Ferndown Track	2.2
46	Taumata Track	0.9
46	return Taumata Track	0.9
	Map Distance Measured Distance	6.2 6.0

                                                                                                                        
Completed: Solo on 10 NOV 2011

127. Ferndown Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, roots, rocks, river crossing, dirt/mud/clay, slippery, wide, well-marked, medium slope, stairs (few), bush-covered.

comments:

Very slippery track with what seems like a long ascent/descent. Technical in nature due to the V groove in the track. A reasonably challenging, covered run.

                                                                                                                        

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46. Taumata Track

keywords:
 non-runnable (mostly), technical, roots, hands required, dirt/mud/bog, slippery, single-track, well-marked, steep, bush-covered, view (Auckland City).

comments:
On this particular day, the majority of this was un-runnable because the track was a bog and the gradient towards the summit slowed movement to a walk. Its a short, steep track rewarded with an amazing view of Auckland City. Rate this for the view alone!

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 4 Ferndown - Taumata Tracks in a larger map

View from Parekura Peak (Taumata Track)

Ferndown Track

Taumata Track