Mangatawhiri Challenge Track and Wairoa Loop Track, Hunua Ranges, Auckland, New Zealand

Mangatawhiri Challenge Track and Wairoa Loop Track, Hunua Ranges, Auckland, New Zealand

Features: Tracks on ridges, Wairoa Reservoir, Upper Mangatawhiri Reservoir.

Car Park: (37°06'43.3"S 175°07'25.0"E) (-37.112018, 175.123655)
Otau Road Car Park (off Moumoukai Road)

Route: Otau Road car park -- Wairoa Loop Track -- Repeater Road -- Mangatawhiri Challenge Track -- Junction on Wairoa Hill Rd -- Return the same trail

Total Distance: 14.5km

Total Uphill: 980m

Walking Time: Total 3hrs50min

(Otau Road car park to Mangatawhiri Challenge Track entrance--45min,

Mangatawhiri Challenge Track uphill--1hr15min,

Mangatawhiri Challenge Track downhill--1hr10min,

Mangatawhiri Challenge Track entrance to Otau Road car park--40min)

Season: Early December

Track Status: Dry and Good (Wet and muddy in winter)

Weather: Clear & Sunny

Relevant Information:

Auckland, Hunua Ranges Regional Park, Wairoa Reservoir, Upper Mangatawhiri Reservoir

Hihikiwi Track to Pahautea Hut and The Cone return, Pirongia Forest Park, Waikato, New Zealand

Features: The Cone at 953m is the second peak next to Mt Pirongia (at 959m) in the Pirongia Forest Park. Part of New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail.

Car Park: (38°01'26.9"S 175°03'52.2"E) (-38.024133, 175.064499)

Pirongia West Road Car Park

Route: Pirongia West Road Car Park -- Hihikiwi Track -- Pahautea Hut -- Bell Track -- The Cone -- Return the same trail

Total Distance: 14.6km

Total Uphill: 1270m

Walking Time: Total 7hrs30min

(Pirongia West Road uphill to Pahautea Hut--3hrs15min,

Pahautea Hut to The Cone Return--1hr15min,

Pahautea Hut downhill to Pirongia West Road--3hrs)

Season: Early December

Track Status: Boggy most of the way

Weather: Clear & Sunny

Temperature: 12°C at The Cone (953m)

Relevant Information:

New Zealand, Waikato, Bell Track, Te Araroa Trail