Huia Ridge Track, Waitakere Ranges

Finally, a trailophile run in the Waitakeres – Auckland’s off-road running Mecca! I’m amazed that it’s taken us this long to get out here, but that’s testament to how many great off-road runs there are closer to the city – and I'm sure we haven’t found them all yet!






Huia Ridge Track

I chose this track solely on the basis that it was the longest one I could find on the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) website. It's a 6km (one way) 'tramping track', to use their terminology, which means that they may "have limited track formation, and steep grades". That description was certainly true - this track is hard going and we ran as much as we could for 45 minutes but still weren't anywhere near the Karamatura Forks, where the track ends. Misguidedly, I had thought that 'ridge' in the track name might denote a less hilly track, but I was completely wrong! There were views, but only in certain places. And there really isn't much to see along the way. I guess we probably ran for 3km before turning back because it was getting late and dusky - and kinda spooky.

Maps and how to get there

OK, so mapometer.com is useless in the Waitakeres, as it only shows roads. Some Google maps do show the track, but you can't draw on them like you can in mapometer. So the map on the left is my attempt to create something useful and specific for this particular run with the mapping tool from the Huia Ridge Track page on the ARC website. The ARC mapping tool is not that intuitive, but you can figure it out with a little experimentation!

The binoculars denote the Huia Ridge Track, which starts at Piha Rd and ends at Karamatura Forks. There is no parking on Piha Rd, so turn down Lone Kauri Rd. About 500m or so down the track entrance is on the left, with parking space for 2 cars.

Evaluation

• Distance: total track from Piha Rd to Karamatura Forks is 6km, so there and back would be 12km
  
• Terrain: Up and down like a rollercoaster!
  
• Shade: Yes
  
• Track type and condition: a 'tramping track' (see above). Probably about 1/3 runnable; the rest you simply have to walk due to fallen trees, steep slopes etc. The top layer of the track is very 'loose' and slippery with fallen leaves, twigs etc. I don't think very many people use this track
  
• Mud: Oh yes. After about 3 weeks of straight sunshine in Auckland the mud was solidifying in most places, but still wet enough to have to avoid
  
• Views: in some parts you can see across the valley until the West Coast, but the track is mostly tree-covered. On the plus side, there are beautiful Kauri trees, and we saw a couple of kereru (which gave us a massive fright when we disturbed them, as their flapping wings are really loud!)
  
• Novelty: Novel, but quickly became tiring as not much variety of scenery
  
• Remoteness: As soon as you are away from Piha Rd, you feel like it's the middle of nowhere. And this became quite spooky when the sun began to set
  
• Toilets: Nope
  
• Crowd factor: Completely deserted
  
• Watch out for: Barbed wire fences - some fallen down onto the track - near the Lone Kauri Rd entrance. And I have to mention...I wasn't completely comfortable leaving the car there for anyone to break in to - we took all our credit cards in our camelback 'cause you just can't be too careful!
  
• Extra for experts: Um, do more of the track than we did! And if that's still not enough, then there are plenty of other tracks that branch off or continue on from this one
  

Verdict

Good training for one of those hardcore off-road events like the Totalsport West Coaster, but for a weeknight after-work amble it was a bit too difficult! I would allow at least 3 hours in the middle of the day to fully explore and enjoy this track.