Trail info
Video Flyover of NEW 2011 Course
Check it out! Our IT guru volunteer Gary has uploaded our trail coordinates onto Google Earth so teams from all over NZ (and the world) can check out the course. See when you will be walking on farm land, forests, lake front or roads. It also gives you an indication of the lumps and bumps along the way to help you plan your 100km journey. It's the next best thing from being there yourself.
New course for 2011!
Land developments and road construction gave us an exciting chance to improve the course and checkpoint locations.
- Download the complete trail map (JPG, 1.5 MB)
- Download the complete trail profile (PDF, 150 KB)
Maps and profiles for each leg are provided below, along with checkpoint closing times. Please help our environmental footprint and do not print the maps - each team will be given map booklets at the event.
Details of the trail
Start Kinloch Domain to CP1 Whakaipo Bay (16.4km)
The trail starts from the picturesque town of Kinloch and immediately takes in the scenic W2K track (Whakaipo to Kinloch). The trail is well formed and easy to navigate and teams can expect stunning sunrise views over Lake Taupo.
- Download the leg 1 map (PDF, 0.5 MB)
CP1 Whakaipo Bay to CP2 Scoria Road (13.2km)
The trail leaves the Lake side and cuts through a series of private farms, including a trig point (yes that means a bit of a climb) before descending down through a Scoria Quarry toward the flat Pohipi Road section. Participants can expect farm paddocks, multiple stiles, a small pine forest and gravel roads in this leg.
- Download the leg 2 map (PDF, 0.6 MB)
CP2 Scoria Road to CP3 Oruanui Pony Club (9.0km)
After a short stint along the side of Wairakei Road, the trail heads off road again and involves many twists and turns through the large Wairakei Forest. Participants can expect views over Craters if the Moon geothermal area before climbing and descending a number of times over farm land before reaching Checkpoint Three.
- Download the leg 3 map (PDF, 0.9 MB)
CP3 Oruanui Pony Club to CP4 Tongariro Domain (14.0km)
A small retrace of your steps is required (to avoid a construction site) before the trail links up to a series of internal forest roads. Leg four incorporates a number of mountain bike trails, an underpass and a small roadside section.
- Download the leg 4 map (PDF, 1.0 MB)
CP4 Tongariro Domain to CP5 Taupo Gliding Club (13.4km)
From the Tongariro Domain participants have the opportunity to walk along the Lake front again before joining up with a section of the East Taupo Arterial. Two underpasses and a number of paddocks lead teams to the Taupo Gliding Club. A long flat section of the course with easy terrain underfoot.
- Download the leg 5 map (PDF, 0.8 MB)
CP5 Taupo Gliding Club to Aid Station, Aratiatia Dam (13.4km)
Leg six starts off with a flat and easy walk towards Waikato River. Teams then follow the river all the way up to Aratiatia Dam. The terrain is undulating, however not technical and walkers can expect some beautiful views across the Waikato River through a mixture of native trees and pine forests.
Aid Station Aratiatia Dam to CP6 Wairakei Resort (6.3km)
This short leg begins on a wide, flat vehicle dirt road; however don’t let this easy section fool you - the final km approaching Wairakei Resort is technical as the trail narrows to a single file, undulating, mountain bike track. This is a high geothermal activity area and participants must stay on the marked trails.
- Download the leg 6 map (PDF, 1.0 MB)
CP6 Wairakei Resort to CP7 Owen Delany Park (8.1km)
Expect more stunning views over the mighty Waikato as teams meander their way back down Waikato River trails towards the Lake. Time to cross over Huka Falls before continuing down the river towards the Owen Delany Park. This section has a few bumps in it so watch your step!
- Download the leg 7 map (PDF, 0.8 MB)
CP7 Owen Delany Park to Finish Tongariro Domain (6.2km)
The final leg. A gentle down-hill down from Owen Delany Park and a short section along the river on easy terrain before crossing Wairakei Road to the awaiting finish line.
- Download the leg 8 map (PDF, 0.4 MB)
Thank you!
Oxfam Trailwalker is grateful to the many local landowners, communities and authorities whose generosity has made the event possible. In order to ensure the continued support of all our valued stakeholders, we have also committed to the sustainable development and management of the trail.
Please help our environmental footprint and do not print the maps – each team will be given map booklets at the event.
