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.

                                                                                                                        

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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.
                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 20 Whatitiri, Long Rd, Lower and Upper (east) Kauri Tracks in a larger map

Whatitiri Track

Whatitiri Track

Long Road Track

Long Road Track

Lower Kauri Track

Upper Kauri Track (east)

14 - Waitakere Dam and Tramline Walk, West Tunnel Mouth, Anderson, Auckland City Walk and Fenceline (north) Tracks (Cascades)

Waitakere Dam Walk

Waitakere Tramline Walk

Waitakere Dam and Reservoir

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	14 - Waitakere Dam and Tramline Walk, West Tunnel Mouth, Anderson, Auckland City Walk and Fenceline (north) Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Scenic Drive
Coordinates:	-36.90012 174.54278
Track #	Track Name	Distance
116	Waitakere Dam Walk	1.4
23	Waitakere Tramline Walk	1.6
30	West Tunnel Mouth Track	0.4
18	Anderson Track Southern Access	0.7
-	Scenic Drive	0.3
18	Anderson Track Northern Access	2.3
16	Auckland City Walk	1.5
19	Fenceline Track (north)	1.4
116	return Waitakere Dam Walk	1.4
	Map Distance Measured Distance	11.0 11.3

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 27 DEC 2011

116. Waitakere Dam Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, tar-seal, well-marked, medium to steep, not covered, view (Waitakere Dam).

comments:

An extremely smooth surface ideal for running with a stroller.

23. Waitakere Tramline Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, tram-tracks, gravel, single-track (alongside tram-tracks), well-marked, flat, stairs (few), bush-covered, view (tunnel).

comments:

A flat and easy gravel run on a narrow strip that runs along side the tram-tracks. Take care, as the tracks can still trip you up somehow. Also, watch your head in the tunnel.

30. West Tunnel Mouth Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, rocks, roots, dirt surface, single-track, well-marked, steep slope, bush-covered.

comments:

A short, steep and gnarly track with roots and rocks underfoot. Its over before you have warmed up to it.

16. Auckland City Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel/dirt, wide, well-marked, easy slope, bush-covered, view (kauri and other natives).

comments:

An extremely well utilised, even-surfaced track. A very easy 1.5 km loop that can add distance to any of the other tracks that feed off this one.

19. Fenceline Track (north)

keywords:

Runnable, technical, roots, dirt/mud, single-track, well-marked, steep slope, stairs (few), bush-covered.

comments:

This track is a bit of a mess but ideal for the trail runner over the Sunday stroller. Stairs, roots and mud galore, and its steep. Great fun. 

                                                                                                                        

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18. Anderson Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, roots, rocks, dirt/mud, river-crossing, single-track but wider in places, well-marked, steep slope, stairs (large quantity), bush-covered.

comments:

A good balance of technical and non-technical sections on this track, and a satisfying abundance of stairs. 

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 14 - Waitakere Dam and Tramline Walk, West Tunnel Mouth, Anderson, Auckland City Walk and Fenceline (north) Tracks in a larger map

West Tunnel Mouth Track

Anderson Track

Anderson Track

Anderson Track

Fenceline Track (north)

Fenceline Track (north)

Auckland City Walk

11 - Old Coach, Fairy Falls and Goodfellow Tracks (Cascades)

Old Coach Road Track

Goodfellow Track

Fairy Falls Track

Fairy Falls

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	11 - Old Coach, Fairy Falls and Goodfellow Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Mountain Rd
Coordinates:	-36.90865 174.55678
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
39	Old Coach Road Track	2.1
36	Fairy Falls Track - west	1
38	Goodfellow Track	1
38	return Goodfellow Track	1
36	Fairy Falls Track - east	1.8
	Map Distance Measured Distance	6.9 6.8

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 21 DEC 2011

38. Goodfellow Track

keywords:  
 runnable, non-technical, river-crossings, gravel, single-track, well-marked, steep, stairs (large quantity), bush-covered, view (Auckland City).

comments:
Stairs, and a lot of them! Otherwise a nice piece of even gravel single track...with stairs!!

36. Fairy Falls Track

keywords:

runnable,  non-technical, river-crossings, even gravel surface, wide, slippery river-crossings, well-marked, easy to medium slope, but steep near falls, stairs (large quantity), bush-covered, view (Fairy Falls).

comments:

A nicely presented gravel track for the masses and a huge quantity of stairs to ease the slope around the falls.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

39. Old Coach Road Track

keywords:

runnable, technical, roots, rock/dirt, some mud, slippery rocks, medium width, well-marked, steep to medium slope, bush-covered.

comments:

A nice long stretch of bush track of a challenging gradient. The slippery rock material near the Mountain Rd end is quite trying.
                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 11 Old Coach, Fairy Falls and Goodfellow Tracks in a larger map

Old Coach Road Track

Goodfellow Track

Fairy Falls Track

View from Goodfellow Track

12 - Walker Kauri and Sharp Bush Tracks (Cascades)

Walker Kauri Track

Sharp Bush Track

Walker Kauri, named after its protector W.R. Walker

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	12 - Walker Kauri and Sharp Bush Tracks
Region:	Cascades
Access Point:	Mountain Rd
Coordinates:	-36.90413 174.56431
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
119	Sharp Bush Track	1.2
119	return Sharp Bush Track	1.2
-	Road	0.2
34	Walker Kauri Track	0.75
34	return Walker Kauri Track	0.75
-	Road	0.2
	Map Distance Measured Distance	4.3 2.5

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 21 DEC 2011
Note: Map distances were obtained from the ARC  website and may be return distances.

34. Walker Kauri Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, roots, dirt, single-track, well-marked, easy slope, bush-covered, view (Large Kauri tree).

comments:

A very short track (400 m) of an easy gradient. Not worth the effort unless linked with Sharp Bush Track by a 200 m section of Mountain Rd.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

119. Sharp Bush Track

keywords:  
Runnable, technical, roots, river-crossing, dirt, medium width, well-marked, medium slope, but steep in places, stairs (only a few), bush-covered.

comments:
An enjoyable short and sharp track (600 m), suitable for hill repeats. Some challenging sections due to tree roots.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile - Walker Kauri Track

Elevation Profile - Sharp Bush Track

View 12 Walker Kauri - Road - Sharp Bush in a larger map

Walker Kauri Track

Sharp Bush Track

Sharp Bush Track

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.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

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