Mt Fuji in New Zealand

Mt Taranaki in New Zealand is a spectacular volcanic cone rising steeply out of the surrounding plains, a Mt Fuji lookalike, so much so, it was used in the Tom Cruise blockbuster, the Last Samurai.

Mt Taranaki, New Zealand
 

It is a trail runner's paradise with the amazing challenge of 8000 feet of scrambling up the mountainside to a tremendous 360 degree outlook across iconic green New Zealand farmland, the nearby ocean and in the west, the snowy peaks of the Tongariro National Park.

Ascending Mt Taranaki with views to Ocean, not for the faint hearted :-)

There is an additional plus, in the lower forested reaches of the mountain there are fantastic narrow well maintained trails. On a recent visit I found the trails to be perfect for trail running because the volcanic surface is well drained and the terrain varies every few minutes from exposed ridge running to beautiful forest with bird life. Importantly there are varying view points all over the place, of broad forested valleys, ocean views and always the perfect volcanic peak revealing a new impression from different areas of the National Park. If you have a full day to fill, and you are fit and are well equipped, a loop run from the Park Info centre to the popular Department of Conservation hut, Holly Hut, is as good as it gets!

Recently I visited the area twice and had splendid blue days, one after the other, a real plus on a mountain that is exposed to squalls and weather bombs coming in directly off the ocean.

Visit New Plymouth and it's iconic mountain in the settled summer and autumn months before the winter snow and chances are, you will have a complete experience, from endorphin trail running highs complete with delicious fare in the quality cafes in New Plymouth or a surf on the many quality surf breaks in the area all in 1 day!
 

360 degrees view with my mate Ben, after 2 hours of ascending to the peak
 

local knowledge

New Zealand is a trail runners paradise, there are just so many options. Because of this, some great hiking, tracks and trails struggle to get a national or "tourist" profile. Last weekend, together with family, I was in the Waikato, particularly well known as a dairy farming area. Keen for a morning adventure and an endorphin kick, I quizzed Graham, my Brother in Law about where the locals go and straight away the answer was "the Huks bro."  

We headed out to the Hakamirata Walkway, a short drive north of Hamilton. The popular with locals Hakamirata Walkway is a narrow ridge run, rising out of the farming plains as a steep forest covered ridge about 12 km long with options. It is handy if you have two vehicles or someone to drop you off so the Trail can be run from one end to the other.

There is a great mid point, known at the Waterworks Summit stairs, approximately 1600+ stairs, beautifully built and well maintained, the stairs climb through regenerating virgin New Zealand temperate forest, rising with no respite until you get to the top of the ridge line, providing a real work out and test of aerobic ability, finishing with a raised wooden platform (more stairs!) for amazing 360 degree views.

View overlooking the Waikato River

However, we started at the northern end of the trail at Parker Road, some 8 km north of the Waterworks stairway and started our run with the Kauri loop, getting up and close to Kauri trees estimated to be over 1000 years of age. The track was well formed and benched and we made good time.

1000 yr old Kauri trees, young runner 

Leaving the loop walk, we began our ascent to the top of the ridge and headed south to the first viewing ridge view point. At this stage the trail became pure trail running, with the track following the form of the land, snaking through the trees and following the path of least resistance. Popular use of the trail and the Department of Conservation's (DOC) traditional orange triangles, placed at regular intervals, meant the trail was easy to follow and we could really open up, running quickly and lightly, hot stepping over exposed roots and fallen branches, while briefly holding trees for stability as we brushed by them.

Graham on single trail.

Two solid hours of continuous trail running was a delight, running under the tree canopy at all times, shielding us from the sun. Yet because we were on the ridgeline, there were occasional vantage points out of the foliage to the farmland stretching below and the breeze cut through the canopy giving relief in the warm conditions as the day got hotter. There was little margin for complacency on the uneven surface, a factor I really enjoy, sometimes stepping quickly and lightly between tree litter on the forest floor and at other times leaping over muddy holes or across fallen trees. 

Before two long we suddenly popped out at a clearing and there stood the Waterworks Summit platform, rising above the treeline.  Graham, normally a rugby player and not one for running through the woods for fun, slumped on a wooden bench under the platform while I took in the surrounds above, looking down on the mighty Waikato River and plains.

Waterworks Summit stairway, Hakamirata Walkway, Waikato, N.Z.

Feeling great, I was keen to finish the ridgeline trail, however our car was parked at the bottom of the stairway so we made good time past many local runners and hikers marching and panting up the stairs. DOC's investment into this stairway is matched by it's popularity. 

I can't wait to return and do the route the other way to feel the burn up the stairway. I think Graham though I was a bit sadistic when I suggested we do it then and there "just for fun". 

The best time to run in New Zealand

I have been trail running in the evenings lately. It's a common problem isn't it. Busy days and full schedules sometimes leave little time for R & R. ( my wife would say, "get up earlier!). Anyway, I am very fortunate that I can run on a full stomach fairly soon after dinner and have been doing some gorgeous sunset into darkness runs around where I live. The route doesn't really matter at the moment, I am really enjoying the still evening air,  people are still out and about riding or walking their dogs in the parks. The light seems to cling to the hills well past sunset and the temperature is still hovering around 20C (68F) after dark. 

You can trail run in New Zealand all year, with some restrictions in Mountain passes during the winter. Though in my opinion the ultimate time to travel to New Zealand is at the end of summer during late February, March and April and even into May. We have daylight savings in NZ and the sunset is extended 1 hour each night until early April giving plenty of daylight hours and most importantly, the weather is also generally settled.

Okay, I am living in the moment a little bit, there were plenty of clear crisp clear days in winter last year when I wondered if the snow would ever arrive and I was bounding around in shorts and t-shirt.  The weather in New Zealand is fairly benign or temperate really, and usually the weather bombs are very well forecasted by www.metservice.co.nz and the conditions improve again shortly afterward.

Trail running NZ

Doesn't every runner has a favorite training run near or from home? I love Mount Maunganui (Mauao) in New Zealand. It is a prominent headland, an extinct volcanic cone, overlooking the ocean on one side and across the harbor to the Kaimai Ranges on the other.

And it is laced with trails, with a hard packed base track and single trails all leading to the top, it offers variety within a very short time frame and it is steep for a good lung buster!  

"Ascending" the North side

My favorite route is the single trail on the North side overlooking Matakana Island. It really gives that feeling of isolation I love when trail running in the wilderness, although actually only minutes from my car. 

Mt Maunganui, NZ

My favorite route is the single trail on the North side overlooking Matakana Island. It really gives that feeling of isolation I love when trail running in the wilderness, although actually only minutes from my car.

Summiting "the Mount".