W2K Trail & Headland Loop - Kinloch Taupo

In 2009 when I was starting to push up the number of off-road runs I did, I headed down to Kinloch, just out of Taupo to try a new Trail Half Marathon in it's inaugural run.

It was held on what was, at that time, a new section of trail from in Kinloch Village out to the headland of the Bay and around a Headland Loop and back into town, then a bit of town running to the Domain for a finish.

While I haven't competed in the race since then - they added a quarter marathon for the last 2 years and are adding a marathon this year - I have however run the trail or parts of it, several times in the intervening years. This though is the first time I have run it since starting this blog and it is such a cool trail that it was worth an entry here.

If you are doing the trail in the weekend it pays to park as requested in Kinloch Domain or by the Lake edge. There is signage from there to the start of the trail proper. I tend to run during the week and during work hours, so I park in the beautifully named street 'Boojum Dell' which is where the trail starts.

It is a steady climb through well formed trail for just under 5km. There are plenty of windy and tight corners to keep you interested and views everywhere. At just under 4.5km you will reach the intersection of the W2K Trail and the Headland Trail. Here you have a choice, left or right. If you want a shorter run you can go right, run about another 1km to the Lookout and then head back.

I was doing the whole circuit and headed left, as this was the was they ran the race. After the intersection there is a flat, slightly climbing stretch that finishes with the intersection to Whakaipo Bay (skip that and go right) and the wonderful DOC Loo (just take your own dunny paper) and then onto the first real downhill... make the most of it, it will only last about 1 km and then you are climbing again... steadily for just under 3km.... at the bottom of the downhill is a nice open area with great views of Whakaipo Bay.

Across the top of the Headland is wonderful trail running, ups and downs, corners, heavy bush and groves of saplings and of course hints at the views to come. At the tip of the Headland you will get to the Lookout... wonderful views over Taupo, a great place to pause the Garmin, have a bite to eat, a drink and contemplate the beauty of this fabulous place we live.

From there it is a steady downhill - with a few uphill bumps to keep you honest - back to the intersection we mentioned earlier and then retrace your steps back to you car.

This was a cruisy Thursday run that came in just under 18km and took me just over 2 hours. In the weekend you are likely to see a few more MTB's, but it is a share with care trail and so it is not a problem. I have run it about 5 times during weekdays and only ever seen 2 MTB's and they were together.

Well worth the 15 minute drive from Taupo for a very pleasant run!