Running a section of the Hillary Trail – Piha Beach to Arataki Visitors centre

Our day started at 8.00am at the entrance to the Marawhara walk in North Piha. We then headed down onto Piha beach to take in the views and surrounding vistas and back onto the road passed the Piha Cafe (unfortunately it was too soon for a coffee) We then headed up to the carpark at the end of Glen Esk Road to the start of the KiteKite track. From here we followed the Hillary trail markers which took us up to the KiteKite falls and onto the Knutzen track, Connect track, Kauri Glen track, Winstone track and finally Ussher track. Luckily, the Hillary trail markers were easy to follow as the tracks seemed to go everywhere and our route descriptions and maps were tucked away in our packs for safe keeping! The tracks were dry and in perfect condition and before we knew it were spat out onto the Piha road. We ran along here trying hard not to be hit by oncoming traffic. After about a kilometre we thankfully turned off the busy Piha Road into Ahuahu road and made our way down Log race road and onto the Mercer Bay loop track and Comans track. Wow we were now back on the coast and the scenery was stunning. We made several stops for photos along here and visited every lookout point on offer. What a view!! Before long we were heading down Watchman’s road to Karekare beach. Last time we did the trail it took us up and over Zion Hill track but much to my relief the markers now lead us out to the beach and through the dunes, passed Tunnel camp ground to the entrance to the Pararaha Gorge.

The beach run was tough with a stiff headwind but the feeling of remoteness, the sea air and the glistening of the black sand made up for it. We headed through the Flax bushes, Toitoi and Nikau palms of the gorge onto the steep and unforgiving Muir track. Finally we made it onto Gibbons track which gently lead us down into Whatipu. Things were heating up now and we had been on the go for nearly 4 hours so we decided to refill our water and sit down under the trees for a picnic lunch and the odd dose of nurofen to take the edge of sore knees, hamstrings, feet etc. (ohhh what a luxury) However, the luxury of stopping turned to agony as we tried to coax our legs into movement again and we briefly regretted having stopped. The next section up the track up the Omanawanui track was the most brutal yet the most scenic section of the track. The track takes you up to dizzying heights but the effort is well rewarded with spectacular views of the Awhitu Peninsula, the Manukau heads and Whatipu. Up and up we went along Puriri Ridge track, along Donald Mclean track – past Donald Maclean hill and onto Karamatura track. I was surprised at how good the going was on these tracks as at times they can be muddy and slippery. Some nice board walks have been added along the boggiest parts of the track which makes a huge difference to the speed at which one can travel. We were well into the run and had to make sure we were all keeping fluids and food intake up – many a conversation at this point turned to food and what we would love to be eating. Once we hit the Huia campground our minds had already made it to the finish line which given we still had 10 or so tough kilometres ahead of us was a bit optimistic but we all felt the worst was behind us and ploughed on up Huia Dam road with renewed vigour and aggression. All went well until we hit the notoriously muddy Hamilton track and we started to realise the end was near but would take us a while as well were forced to stumble, crawl and slip our way over massive tree roots and slide and grovel our way around festering mud holes and bogs . We were more than relieved to be spat out of Hamilton track alive and skipped and bounded our way along Lower Nihotapu road, pipeline track and Slip track to our ultimate destination the Arataki visitor centre. Woo hoo – 9 or so hours / 2400 or so metres of climb / 45 or so kilometres of sheer fun and stunning scenery. Can’t wait to do it again!!!