Spiritual Awakening - Kill Devil Track

The Kahurangi National Park is a stunning and vast landscape where native bush covers the hills and mountains farther than the eye can reach. The Kill Devil track (also known as Waingaro track or Anatoki Forks but that starts at the other end) is located in the Kahurangi about 15 minutes South of Takaka. To access from Kill Devil Track end, follow Uruwhenua Road and stay on the gravel road until there is a right turn off Uruwhenua Road toward Alpacacs off Grid. Don't drive down the farm race, the road to car park is the next one.

 I wasn't too sure of my turnaround destination but I only had 4ish hours. I was hoping to make it to at least the Tin hut or perhaps Rioridan Hut Junction, but I did have to get back to mow the lawns before heading away. Hence, I was going to play it by the clock.

I started my run just before 8am early December 2023. The weather was perfect and still, with light cloud cover. The native bush cover was a fresh way to begin and the incline was steady but runnable.

The track continued to climb with lots of switch backs that kept it interesting. As the climb continued, it became rougher under foot with more gravelly sections. It was certainly hot work but very satisfying as I stopped to check out the view (pictured below) to the mountains opposite in Upper Takaka.

After multitudes of switch backs, I eventually plateaued at what appeared to be the top of the climb. A friend who grew up hunting in the area told me that before I make it to Tin hut, turn off and take a small track to the right. I found the little side track and to say the view was breathtaking was an understatement (picture below).

I walked out slowly and my eyes were engulfed with a carpet of green native bush cover, as I stood on the edge and breathed in what felt like the lungs of the earth. The vastness was beautiful but also intimidating. Being alone out there with no one else but a rustle of the weka was quite the spiritual experience. I just stood there for a few minutes somewhat overwhelmed. Snapping back to reality, I felt grateful for the experience and headed across to check out the Tin Hut.

Tin Hut was very cute and exactly as it sounds! I filled up water there as I had run out and there wouldn't be many options before Rioridan Hut, which I didn't expect to make it to in my tight time frame.

Barreling on I continued on the main track. Lots of rocky terrain which made for fun technical running. I had to be a bit careful close to the edge as I struggled to keep focused on the track with all the beauty around me. There were lots of undulations and then I got into a steady decline with lots of switch backs which I learned later is colloquially called 'the gut buster'.

I made it to Riordans Hut Junction in about 2 hours 20 . A sign said it was 30 minutes to the hut so I didn't have enough time to do the return trip. I wasn't concerned though. I knew I would be coming back as I was loving it!

I then made my way back up the gut buster and continued to climb. Seeing the track from this direction was just as special but I was definitely feeling my body as I tried to keep charging on up. I had to power hike some of it when I got too tired to run.

Running along the top of the trail was really enjoyable and a bit easier under foot on the way back as I was not trying to run up shingly, loose gravel.

I stopped for a few deep breaths, a couple more glimpses of the view and took my last pictures. I ran past the familiar sight of the Tin Hut turn off and looked forward to the down hill switch backs. The down hill was so much fun as I gleefully made it to the bottom and back to the carpark. I took a few moments to reflect on what was unexpectedly, an incredible trail run.

Overall, my watch captured that the return trip was about 25kms with a cumulative elevation of 1200m and maximum elevation of just under 1000m. I am keen to go further next time to Riordan then Waingaro Huts. There is also the option to continue all the way round via Lake Stanley and the Anatoki Range finishing at Anatoki Track road end ,which looks like it would take several days. There was minimal reception past the Tin Hut, so I would recommend taking a PLB.