21 - Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track (Anawhata)

  Anawhata Beach Track  

  Hettig Track  

Anawhata Beach

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	21 - Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track
Region:	Anawhata
Access Point:	Anawhata Road
Coordinates:	-36.92389 174.45852 (Anawhata Beach Track)
	-36.92558 174.49526 (Hettig Track)
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
115	Anawhata Beach Track	0.7
115	return Anawhata Beach Track	0.7
120	Hettig Track	0.5
120	return Hettig Track	0.5
	Map Distance Measured Distance	2.4 2.1

                                                                                                                        
Completed: Solo on 27 JAN 2012

120. Hettig Track

keywords:

Runnable (only just), technical, roots, dirt/mud/clay surface, slippery, hands required, single-track, overgrown but well-marked, steep slope, stairs (few), bush covered, view (Marawhara Stream)

comments:

Hettig Track is a short, steep and slippery, and only just runnable, descent to Marawhara Stream and would be pointless as a standalone run.

                                                                                                                        

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115. Anawhata Beach Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel/dirt surface, medium width, well-marked, steep slope, exposed and bush covered, view (Anawhata Beach).

comments:

Quite a challenging run up because of the steep slope, but the amazing views are worth the return effort. Short and sharp run, of no use stand alone but rather to provide access to Anawhata Beach.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile - Anawhata Beach Track

Elevation Profile - Hettig Track

View 21 Anawhata Beach Track and Hettig Track in a larger map

Anawhata Beach Track

Hettig Track

Line 1 Col 1

Line 1 Col 2

16 - Huia Dam Rd, Nugget and Twin Peaks Tracks (Huia)

Huia Dam Road

Nugget Track

View of Manukau Harbour on a rainy summers day from Twin Peaks Track

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	16 - Huia Dam Rd, Nugget and Twin Peaks Tracks
Region:	Huia
Access Point:	Huia Road
Coordinates:	-36.99589 174.56647
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
63	Huia Dam Road	6
134 68	Nugget Track Huia Ridge Track	2 0.3
70	Twin Peaks Track	4.8
	Map Distance Measured Distance	13.1 13.4

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 7 JAN 2012

63. Huia Dam Road

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel road, easy to medium slope, partially bush-covered, view (Upper and Lower Huia Dams).

comments:

A gravel track of a consistent slope with only a couple of steep sections to contend with. A nice 12 km out and back that links both Upper and Lower Huia Dams.

134. Nugget Track

keywords:

Runnable (partially), technical, knee and head high vegetation, roots, hands required, mud/dirt/clay surface, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, steep slope, mostly bush covered.

comments:

This is a long and steep 2 km climb from Upper Huia Dam to Huia Ridge. Probably quite enjoyable coming down but its a rough track, very slippery and only walkable in the wet.

                                                                                                                        

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70. Twin Peaks Track

keywords:

Runnable (mostly), technical, knee and head high vegetation, roots, rocks, hands required, mud/dirt/clay surface, slippery (when wet), single-track, well-marked, steep slope, bush-covered, view (Manukau Harbour).

comments:

In the wet it is very slippery, muddy and prone to flooding. There is a big elevation gain/loss so be mentally prepared for that. You also visit the highest point in the Waitakere Ranges (Te Toiokawharu, (459 m on sign/474 m on topo)) but there is no view to be had just here, however, you are rewarded for your efforts further along. A long and rather enjoyable track, probably better appreciated in dry conditions.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile - Huia Dam Road and Nugget Track

Elevation Profile - Twin Peaks Track 

View 16 Huia Dam Rd, Nugget and Twin Peaks Tracks in a larger map

Huia Dam Road

Nugget Track

Twin Peaks Track

Twin Peaks Track

9 - Huia Ridge Track (Piha)

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	9 - Huia Ridge Track
Region:	Piha
Access Point:	Piha Road
Coordinates:	-36.96829 174.51507
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
68	Huia Ridge Track	6
68	return Huia Ridge Track	6
	Map Distance Measured Distance	12.0 12.3

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 5 JAN 2012

68. Huia Ridge Track

keywords:

Mostly unrunnable, technical, knee and head high vegetation, roots, hands required, mud/dirt, slippery, single-track, mostly well-marked, steep slope, bush-covered.

comments:

This long out and back track is mostly unrunnable due to the highly uneven and root ridden surface, the steep slope and the mud. The only opportunity to stretch the legs came on a 300 m section of boardwalk. However, the 3 km section to Piha Rd from the Nugget Track junction is pure pleasure and erases the frustrations of the 9 km that went before. Would recommend this section on its own as a test of downhill nimbleness. Overall this track is an exercise in foot/eye coordination and quadricep strength, and suitable as a walk rather than a run.

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 9 Huia Ridge Track 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

3 - Odlin Timber Track (Karekare)

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	3 - Odlin Timber Track
Region:	Karekare
Access Point:	Lone Kauri Road
Coordinates:	-36.99660 174.49940
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
80	Odlin Timber Track	2.8
80	return Odlin Timber Track	2.8
	Map Distance Measured Distance	5.6 5.6

                                                                                                                        
Completed: Solo on 18 OCT 2011

80. Odlin Timber Track

keywords:

mostly runnable, technical, hands required, rocks, roots, river crossings, mud, clay, slippery, wide, well-marked, steep slope, stairs, bush covered

comments:

Embracing this run in a downpour resulted in a slippery experience! Some sections were not runnable in the rain with a number of washed out clay v-channels with foot steps dug into the clay. Track was either ascending or descending, there were no flat sections on this run! A very exciting, highly technical single-track.

                                                                                                                        

Topo map. Click to enlarge.

Elevation Profile with a recalibration in the middle, data still shows drift but you get the idea. 

Click to enlarge.

View 3 - Odlin Timber Track in a larger map