19 - Marawhara, White, Rose and Laird Thomson Tracks (Piha)

Marawhara Walk

White Track

View of Piha Beach from White Track

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	19 - Marawhara, White, Rose and Laird Thomson Tracks
Region:	Piha
Access Point:	North Piha Road
Coordinates:	-36.94307 174.46645
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
145	Marawhara Track	0.6
110	White Track	1.3
113	Rose Track	1.2
113	return Rose Track	0.6
126	Laird Thomson Track	0.6
	Beach	1.2
	Map Distance Measured Distance	5.5 5.6

                                                                                                                       

Completed: Solo on 18 JAN 2012

145. Marawhara Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, dirt surface, medium width, well-marked, flat slope, bush-covered.

comments:

A short flat track leading to a river and the start of White Track.

110. White Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, river crossing, dirt surface, some mud, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, stairs, bush-covered, view (west coastline and inland).

comments:

Basically either a relentless up or down of a walking-type nature on a dirt track intermingled with the occasional set of muddy stairs. Some amazing views to be had.

126. Laird Thomson Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, head high vegetation, dirt surface, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, stairs (few), bush-covered, view (west coastline).

comments:

Provides a quick escape from the spur to the beach. A visit to the look out is a must! A number of overhanging branches do upset the flow of this track when running.

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

113. Rose Track

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, dirt/sand/concrete (driveway) surface, single-track, well-marked, steep to medium slope, exposed, view (Whites Beach).

comments:

Another relentless slope to be overcome. A concrete driveway with a grass verge links Anawhata Road to the start of the descent to the beach. Its a steep and long ascent/descent of 200 m from Anawhata Rd to White Beach. Top section, because if you can run the whole thing, then you have achieved something very special!

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 19 Marawhara, White, Rose and Laird Thomson Tracks in a larger map

Rose Track

Rose Track

Laird Thomson Track

White Track

Laird Thomson Track

View of Whites Beach from Laird Thomson Track

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. 

                                                                                                                        

Top Section

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

8 - Upper Nihotupu Walk (Arataki)

                                                                                                                        

Loop:	8 Upper Nihotupu Walk
Region:	Arataki
Access Point:	Piha Road
Coordinates:	-36.93619 174.55926
Track #	Track Name	Distance (km)
51	Upper Nihotupu Walk	2.6
51	return Upper Nihotupu Walk	2.6
	Map Distance Measured Distance	5.2 *6.4

*Includes additional return distance to tunnels
                                                                                                                        

Completed: Solo on 15 NOV 2011

51. Upper Nihotupu Walk

keywords:

Runnable, non-technical, gravel, wide, well-marked, gentle to medium slope, semi bush-covered, stairs (up dam face), views (dam, waterfall, tram-tracks and tunnels)

comments:

A very easy short run of a gentle to medium incline to Upper Nihotupu Dam and other features. There is a noteworthy stair climb up the dam face.

                                                                                                                        

Topo Map (click to enlarge)

Elevation Profile (click to enlarge)

View 8 Upper Nihotupu Walk in a larger map

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)