Reviewed By: tutaepaki Date Reviewed: 02/07/2011 Review Type: Trail Barefoot Friendliness: 4 Below Average Location: Orongaronga Valley Whakanui Track Wainuiomata, WGN Picture: The Whakanui track is part of a 33km loop from my home town of Wainuiomata into the Orongaronga valley and back. It is part of a popular tramping route and is hilly, with lots of rocks and roots. It is well beyond my barefoot capabilities and I ran it in VFF Treks, which were perfect. It took me 5 1/2 hours, which is the longest time I've ever been out running for. It's really only 'runnable' during the summer months. In the winter it would be very muddy and slippery, and the risk of exposure would be high. (3 runners died out there a few years ago when one of them stopped to muck around with his shoes) Photo set here
That looks like a great barefoot trail. Much better than the ones here in South Australia which are invariably stony. I did some barefoot walking on trails in the Able Tasman park and in the hills around Nelson and they were great, lots of tree roots for sure but that is good for your agility. Neil
