Waitakere Trails: 20 - Whatitiri, Long Rd, Lower and Upper (east) Kauri Tracks (Cascades)

Long Road Track

Lower Kauri Track

Upper Kauri Track (east)

Loop:	20 - Whatitiri, Long Rd, Lower and Upper (east) Kauri Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Falls Road
Coordinates:	-36.88622 174.51874

Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
28	Whatitiri Track	2.9
4	Long Road Track	4.8
4	return Long Road Track	3.2
15	Lower Kauri Track	1.9
14	Upper Kauri Track East	1.4
	Map Distance Measured Distance	14.2 13.1

Completed: Solo on 19 JAN 2012

28. Whatitiri Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, river crossing, dirt/grass surface, slippery (when wet), medium width, mostly well marked, medium to steep slope, open but bush-covered near Falls Road end.

comments:

Started out as a gentle bush covered track but ended in a steep and open ascent to Long Road. The track passes through farmland where directions were lacking somewhat. A unique and enjoyable piece of track combining bush with farmland!

15. Lower Kauri Track

keywords:

Runnable (partially), technical, roots, river crossings, dirt, muddy, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, bush covered.

comments:

An extremely technical track with section upon section of roots to overcome, inter dispersed with open stretches where you can extend the legs. Only partially runnable and steep in places.

14. Upper Kauri Track (east)

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, board walk/gravel surface, medium width, well-marked, steep slope, stairs, bush covered.

comments:

This track is mostly gravel with vast stretches of boardwalk. The track is steep with a large quantity of stairs and passes by a number of Kauri trees.

Top Section

4. Long Road Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, rocks, gravel/grass/clay but mostly dirt, muddy, slippery (clay), medium-width, well-marked, medium to sleep slope, exposed and bush-covered, view (Waitakere Ranges).

comments:

This track has it all! The surface material changes from gravel, to grass, through to dirt and clay with some muddy sections, and then back to gravel where it overlaps with the Montana Heritage Trail. The Long Rd end is open, closing into bush-covered after 1 km. While non-technical in nature, the majority of the track undulates nicely to keep interest, and most sections are of a managable gradient. If joined with Ridge Road track, this would make an excellent and entirely runnable 17 km out and back.