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

15 - Ridge Road Track (Anawhata)

Ridge Road Track

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	15 - Ridge Road Track
Region:	Anawhata
Access Point:	Anawhata Road
Coordinates:	-36.93525 174.51882
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
5	Ridge Road Track	3.7
5	return Ridge Road Track	3.7
	Map Distance Measured Distance	7.4 7.5

                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 3 JAN 2012

5. Ridge Road Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical (when wet), some knee and head high vegetation, dirt/mud and clay surface, slippery (when wet), medium width, well-marked, medium slope, bush-covered.

comments:

A slippery and muddy track after rain makes this a technical track but would probably be much less so in dry conditions. A very enjoyable medium distance out and back of a bearable medium slope.

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

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Ridge Road Track

Ridge Road 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.

                                                                                                                        

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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

7 - McElwain, Quarry, Mckenzie, Piha Valley and Centennial North Tracks (Anawhata)

McElwain Lookout Track

Centennial Track (north)

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	7 - McElwain, Quarry, McKenzie, Piha Valley and Centennial North Tracks
Region:	Anawhata
Access Point:	Anawahta Rd
Coordinates:	-36.93712 174.51381
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
114	McElwain Lookout Track	1
104	Quarry Track	1.1
102	McKenzie Track	1.1
101	Piha Valley Track	1
101	return Piha Valley Track	2.2
100	Centennial Track	1.95
	Map Distance Measured Distance	8.35 8.35

                                                                                                                        
Completed: Accompanied on 24 OCT 2011

114. McElwain Lookout Track

keywords:
Runnable, non-technical, rocks, gutters, head high foliages, rock/dirt, narrow, well marked, not bush-covered, easy to medium slope, view (Stunning view of the Waitakeres to Piha).

comments:
Short walking loop track to a lookout tower (354 m) with amazing views.

104. Quarry Track

keywords:

Runnable, technical, rocks, roots, dirt/mud, narrow, single-track, well marked, bush-covered, medium slope.

comments:
Short track with some highly technical, muddy and slippery sections.

102. McKenzieTrack

keywords:

Runnable, technical, rocks, roots, river crossing, hands required, dirt/mud, clay, slippery, single/track, well-marked, bush-covered, steep slope, stairs (few).

comments:
Very steep descent to Piha Valley. Highly technical and slippery in places. Opens up into a wider track in a section of beautiful open bush. Rewarded at the bottom with a river crossing.

101. Piha Valley Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, some roots, rocks and mud, dirt/mud/gravel, wide, well-marked, flat slope (Glenesk Rd to McKenzie Track), steep slope (McKenzie to Centennial Tracks), stairs (lots), view (Piha Stream and Piha Gorge).

comments:

A flat easy run combined with a sharp, steep stair climb. Views of the river and gorge the entire way to numb the boredom or pain.

                                                                                                                        

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100. Centennial Track (north)

keywords:
Runnable, non-technical, some rocks and roots, river-crossing, mud/dirt, single track, well-marked, bush-covered, medium slope, view (Piha Stream and Waitakeres). 

comments:
Feels like a long track with a very consistent medium gradient just above comfortable. Some small obstacles along the way. Overall non-technical but some how an enviable sense of achievement evolves whilst stopping to enjoy the view from near the top.

                                                                                                                        

Topo map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 7 McElwain, Quarry, Mckenzie, Piha Valley and Centennial North Tracks in a larger map
Google maps is having issues, hopefully it will be resolved and this map will show correctly!

Quarry Track

Quarry Track

McKenzie Track

McKenzie Track

Piha Valley Track

Piha Valley Track

Centennial Track (north)

View from McElwain Lookout

Piha River from Centennial Track (north)

6 - Ian Wells, Cutty Grass and Browne Tracks (Piha)

Ian Wells Track

Cutty Grass Track

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	6 - Ian Wells, Cutty Grass, Browne Tracks
Region:	Piha
Access Point:	Piha Road
Coordinates:	-36.93671 174.55652
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
-	Road	0.7
81	Ian Wells Track	2.4
41	Cutty Grass Track North	1.3
41	return Cutty Grass Track North	1.3
41	Cutty Grass Track South	2.5
41	return Cutty Grass Track South	0.7
5	Ridge Rd Track South	0.8
22	Browne Track	0.5
22	return Browne Track	0.5
5	return Ridge Rd Track South	0.8
41	return Cutty Grass Track South	1.8
81	return Ian Wells Track	2.4
-	Road	0.7
	Map Distance Measured Distance	16.4 15.4

                                                                                                                        
Completed: Accompanied on 22 OCT 2011

22. Browne Track

keywords:
non-runnable, knee and head-high foliage, dirt, single-track, not well-marked (not maintained), steep slope, bush-covered, view (Anawhata River)

comments:
The youthfulness of the entrance sign did not correlate at all with the maintenance of this track. Reduced to walking the entire length as the track was not clear in places. Got more cuts and scratches on this track than on Cutty Grass Track. Involved a steep descent to a river.

41. Cutty Grass Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, rocks, dirt, wide, well-marked, gentle slope, not bush-covered, view (brief glimpse of the vastness of the Waitakeres)

comments:
Despite its name, there was thankfully no Cutty Grass. Track was a wide 4WD maintenance track for the power lines that run alongside. Nice easy slope with a few rocky obstacles.

                                                                                                                        

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81. Ian Wells Track (formerly Upper Nihotupu Track)

keywords:
Runnable, technical, rocks, roots, river crossings, slippery, mud/dirt, single-track, well-marked, medium slope, bush-covered, view (river)

comments:
This exciting single-track had a good balance of technical and non-technical sections. Some parts were muddy and flooded, and the medium incline allowed for constant running. A charming riverside spot about half-way.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 6 Ian Wells Cutty Grass and Browne Tracks in a larger map

Browne Track

Ian Wells Track

Cutty Grass Track