Skip to content

Hunua Ranges: Mangatawhiri Reservoir Loop

Photo of Stephen
Hosted By
Stephen
Hunua Ranges: Mangatawhiri Reservoir Loop

Details

On Saturday we are returning to Hunua Ranges, this time to the centre of the ranges, and hike clockwise around Mangatawhiri Reservoir via park roads and Ernies Track. Highlights include the reservoir, dam, great views from high points, native forest, and a variety of hiking landscape.

Important Note: This longer and more difficult hike than average is mainly intended for experienced hikers who are confident they are fit and agile enough to hike up and down rough and muddy Ernies Track, and have enough stamina to complete the whole loop with the group at a slightly faster than moderate pace. Due to the early sunset, anyone who is lagging too far behind the group early on may be advised to turn back. This hike is not recommended for people who have little hiking experience, have been slow hiking uphill or on rough muddy sections in the past, or lack confidence they could complete this hike (or turn back) on their own if they had to.

Duration: 5½-6 hours (including stops at a moderate pace).
Distance: About 16km.
Difficulty: 4 on our 1-5 scale for day hikes. Longer and more difficult than average on tramping track and park roads. Ernies Track (6.2km) includes a low section that can be muddy and slippery in places with several small stream crossings, a river crossing (normally shin deep) that will require getting feet wet, a steep hill climb gaining more than 320m elevation, additional undulation on ridge, and a steep descent. The park roads (more than 60% of loop distance, but less than 2 hours duration) are relatively easy: Waterline Road is quite flat and Lilburne Road is mostly downhill. Some may consider the road sections to be relatively boring which may count as a psychological difficulty :-)

Weather Update (Fri 8pm): Metservice forecast for Hunua (http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/auckland/hunua) on Saturday is: "Often cloudy, evening showers. Northeasterlies. High 17°C. (sun+shower symbol)". Rain forecast (http://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/rain-forecast/rain-forecast-3-day) currently suggests some light isolated showers are possible throughout the day on Saturday, with heavy rain expected Sunday morning. This hike is going ahead as planned on Saturday. Be prepared for some rain during the day.

Preparation:
Everyone who attends is encouraged to be well prepared for this hike. Before we meet, it will help if you:

Meeting Places:

Carpooling:

  • Carpooling will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World after we arrive there (transport permitting; you can read more details here (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Transport_and_Carpooling)).
  • If you need a ride from New World, there's no need to arrange this in advance - just answer the RSVP question about this.
  • If you can offer rides or want a ride from another location, you can mention this in the Conversation below and contact each other offline to arrange.
  • Best if most drivers meet at New World first. The option to drive straight to Hunua is only offered if New World is significantly out of your way (eg, if driving from south or east).
  • Each carpool passenger from New World is expected to give $10 to driver.

Time Guideline:

  • 09:15 - Good time to arrive at New World, meet & greet
  • 09:30 - Latest time to arrive at New World, arrange carpooling
  • 09:35 - Leave New World
  • 10:20 - Arrive at Upper Mangatawhiri if driving straight there
  • 10:35 - All at Upper Mangatawhiri, introduction
  • 10:45 - Start hike as soon as ready after this time
  • 16:45 - Approx end hike, optional refreshments
  • 18:30 - Approx return to city (including refreshment stop)

Maps:

Hike Description:

  • Start from Upper Mangatawhiri Campsite carpark and walk up road to west side of dam.
  • Continue on relatively flat Waterline Road beside west side of reservoir.
  • Not long after road deviates westward away from the reservoir, turn right onto Ernies Track. This starts off low with small stream crossings and muddy sections, and continues low for a bit after the river crossing. Starts to climb not long after passing through a bamboo thicket and beside the ruins of a shack on the right, rises steeply to a grassy highpoint (497m above sea level) with nice views and good place to stop for lunch.
  • Continue eastward on Ernies Track along undulating ridge.
  • At Upper Mangatawhiri Track junction, continue straight-right on Ernies Track which goes up to another grassy knoll before descending steeply, ending at north end of Lilburne Road beside Piggots campground.
  • Follow Lilburne Road which gently undulates before descending steadily, continuing straight-right past Rata Ridge, Goss, and Pukapuka tracks on left, down to the spillway on east side of the dam.
  • Can walk across the dam to complete loop, or down path from east of dam back to carpark.

Bring:

  • lunch, drink, and additional snack food
  • clothing suitable for winter
  • clean footwear suitable for rough and muddy tramping tracks
  • rain protection
  • plastic bags for muddy footwear
  • extra clothing & footwear for after hike
  • torch (in case unexpected delays)
  • first-aid items
  • cash ($10 if carpool passenger + optional extra for refreshments)

More Information:

Notes:
(1) We have previously hiked this loop anticlockwise on 6 Oct 2011 (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/37315872/). This time we are planning to loop in the opposite direction for a bit of variety, placing more emphasis on the uphill climb.
(2) 9:30am is the latest time to arrive at New World and 10:35am is the latest time to arrive at Upper Mangatawhiri carpark if driving straight there. We'll aim to leave New World and start the hike exactly on time, and we're unlikely to wait for late people. Arriving early is good :-)
(3) Although it is fairly easy to navigate around the loop, it is possible to become seriously lost in the Hunua Ranges if a wrong turn is taken. It is safer and generally more fun to hike together as a group. We aim to do this and stop at all track junctions and a few other key points along the way for the group to regather. However, there's no guarantee this will happen so prepare for this hike as best you can in case end up alone.
(4) Due to the longish duration and early sunset at this time of the year, we'll aim to walk at a slightly faster than moderate pace that is comfortable for the middle of the group with stops at places of interest along the way. The big hill climb can optionally be hiked at a faster pace if don't waiting longer at the top.
(5) We'll have a lunch stop at the top of the hill climb plus 1 or 2 shorter food stops along the way.
(6) We can optionally stop for refreshments on our way back (if don't finish too late).

RSVP:
If you are interested to attend it will help if you:

  • Read the full details of this description carefully;
  • RSVP online soon (even if not certain about attending yet);
  • Answer the RSVP questions that appear when you RSVP;
  • "Change RSVP" later if you decide not to attend or any of your RSVP answers are no longer accurate;
    Thanks :-)

RSVP Questions:
The following 5 questions appear after pressing "RSVP" button:
(1) At this stage, how certain/uncertain are you that you will attend? Does this depend on anything (eg, weather)?
(2) Where will you first meet us: (A) Victoria Park New World; (B) Upper Mangatawhiri carpark; (C) prefer Mangatawhiri but could meet at New World if needed (what area are you driving from)?
(3) What is your transport situation: (A) have no transport, need a ride; (B) have transport, can offer rides (how many passengers?); (C) have transport but prefer to get ride; (D) other (please specify)?
(4) We are planning to return to city by 6:30pm but may end up being a bit later. Do you need/prefer to return by a certain time?
(5) How confident are you that you can hike up and down rough and muddy Ernies Track and complete the loop with the group at a slightly faster than moderate pace?
Note:

  • Only 3 questions appear on first page and you need to click "Next" each page for your answers to be saved. (This process may differ if using a phone app to RSVP.)
  • Only Organizers can see your answers. Answering the RSVP questions helps with planning.
  • You can change your answers at any time via "Change RSVP" then "RSVP" without changing your RSVP from Yes.
  • If the questions don't appear or you have any problems answering online, you can email your answers to Stephen (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/members/7405475/).
    Thanks :-)

Are you interested to attend?

Events in Auckland, NZ
Photo of Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006) group
Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006)
See more events
Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006)
Photo of Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006) group
Victoria Park New World
Scotland Street, Freemans Bay · Auckland
Photo of Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006) group
Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006)
public group