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.

                                                                                                                        

 Top Section

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

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)

View 15 Ridge Road Track in a larger map

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.

                                                                                                                        

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

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.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

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.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

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

5 - Upper Huia Dam Track (Huia)

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	5 - Upper Huia Dam Track
Region:	Huia
Access Point:	Piha Road
Coordinates:	-36.94392 174.53631
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
133	Upper Huia Dam Track	4
133	return Upper Huia Dam Track	4
	Map Distance Measured Distance	8 7.8

                                                                                                                        
Completed: Solo on 19 OCT 2011

133. Upper Huia Dam Track

keywords:

Partially-runnable, technical, rocks, roots (lots), river crossings, head high foliage, mud, slippery, narrow, well-marked, easy slope, bush covered, view (dam)

comments:

The first 1 km is frustratingly un-runnable with roots crossing the track at every step. A highly technical single-track with a very gradual slope to Upper Huia Dam. Enjoyable, if you can make it past the first 1 km. Recommended as a dry weather track as is muddy, slippery and full of small lakes. Watch the supple jack overhead, it will take your eye out.

Topo Map. Click to enlarge.

Elevation Profile. Recalibration in the middle, still off at the end...but you get the picture.
Gentle Slope, Click to enlarge.