Wikiloc | Maitai Point - Paraawanui (Fig Tree Bay Track) [05/02/2017] Trail

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Photo ofMaitai Point - Paraawanui (Fig Tree Bay Track) [05/02/2017]

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xibiloc

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Trail stats

Distance: 6.64 mi
Elevation gain: 988 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 988 ft
Max elevation: 643 ft
TrailRank: 69
Min elevation: 105 ft
Trail type: Loop

Time: 3 hours 2 minutes
Coordinates: 998
Uploaded: February 9, 2017
Recorded: February 2017

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near Rangiputa, Northland (New Zealand)

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Ruta des del Maitai Point, a l'aparcament de la Maitai Bay, fins al Paraawanui (un pic de 158 metres situat a la Península de Karikari), tot fent la ruta que es coneix com a Fig Tree Bay Track, i passant per la Maitai Bay, la Waikato Bay i el Takini Point a l'anada, i passant pel mateix camí a la tornada, exceptuant la petita ruta circular del final, per arribar al Paraawanui.
La ruta comença a l'aparcament de la Maitai Bay, on hi ha una petita zona asfaltada per aparcar just al costat de la platja, i una zona d'herba habilitada també per aparcar i molt més gran, però una mica més allunyada. A la mateixa zona hi ha el Maitai Bay Campsite, un càmping gestionat pel DOC (Department of Conservation). Després de fer una petita exploració per la zona i obtenir vistes de la Maitai Bay i la Waikato Bay, s'ha fet una ullada al cartell informatiu del DOC on s'expliquen les característiques de la zona, així com també les rutes possibles. En aquest cas s'ha decidit seguir la Fig Tree Bay Track. La primera part de la ruta consisteix en resseguir la Waikato Bay; en el camí d'anada, aquesta part s'ha fet caminant directament per la sorra de la platja gràcies a la marea baixa, fet que també ha comportat que la sorra fos més aviat dura i no fos tan complicat caminar-hi (fins i tot s'ha trobat un pingüí mort reposant a la sorra). Després de passar l'espigó natural que divideix la Waikato Bay, s'ha arribat al final de platja i s'ha trobat un cartell indicant que el camí circular vora el Paraawanui estava tallat més endavant, i recomanant agafar un altre camí, transformant així la ruta circular en un trajecte d'anada i tornada pel mateix camí. Per tal d'assegurar-se que el camí estava tallat, s'ha continuat endavant i s'ha trobat un altre cartell indicant que la ruta estava tancada per reparacions a partir d'aquell punt. Com que no s'ha vist cap tanca ni cap dificultat en el camí, s'ha decidit avançar. Certament, el camí fa una mica més de pendent en aquest punt, i pot ser una mica més esllavissadís, però no s'ha observat cap perill afegit. Seguint per la ruta circular, doncs, s'ha arribat al Takini Point, i s'ha emprès la pujada final fins al Paraawanui, trobant també un cartell avisant del terreny esllavissadís.
Baixant del Paraawanui, s'ha seguit el camí fins que, en un punt, el camí es comença a embardissar. S'ha decidit avançar per veure si es trobava el camí de tornada més endavant, però en veure que s'allunyava, s'ha decidit recular, no sense abans observar les bones vistes de la Whangatupere Bay. Desfent el mateix camí que s'acabava de fer, s'ha trobat la intersecció per agafar el camí de tornada, tot i que està situada molt abans del que s'esperava. Per tant, en aquest punt es recomana agafar directament el desviament per emprendre el camí de tornada; de totes maneres, si es decideix continuar pel camí embardissat, ja sigui només una estona o per tornar per una altra ruta, es recomana altament anar amb pantalons llargs, ja que les herbes i arbustos són molt alts i alguns punxen. El camí de tornada, doncs, tot i ser una mica esllavissadís en alguns punts, és també molt bonic i ofereix bones vistes. Un cop arribats en el punt on hi ha el cartell recomanant no seguir pel camí tallat, la ruta de tornada es fa seguint el mateix camí, tot i que en aquest cas no s'ha passat per la sorra de la platja, sinó per un caminet d'herba paral·lel. Tanmateix, cal anar amb compte perquè aquest caminet d'herba passa a vegades per propietats privades i és possible que s'hagi de continuar per la sorra.
Es tracta d'una ruta molt agradable, ben senyalitzada amb triangles taronges vora el Paraawanui (exceptuant la intersecció per agafar el camí de tornada, a la qual cal estar atents), i que permet la possibilitat de fer una capbussada a la platja durant la ruta, o en acabar-la. És una bona manera d'explorar la Península de Karikari, l'entorn natural de la qual és espectacular.

Route from Maitai Point, to the Maitai Bay car park, to the Paraawanui (a 158-meter peak located on the Karikari Peninsula), making the route known as the Fig Tree Bay Track, and going through the Maitai Bay, Waikato Bay and Takini Point on the way, and passing the same way on the way back, except the small circular route at the end, to reach Paraawanui.
The route begins at the Maitai Bay car park, where there is a small asphalted area to park right next to the beach, and a grass area also suitable for parking and much larger, but a little further away. In the same area there is the Maitai Bay Campsite, a campsite managed by the DOC (Department of Conservation). After a small exploration of the area and getting views of Maitai Bay and Waikato Bay, we have looked at the informative bulletin board of the DOC, explaining the characteristics of the area, as well as the possible routes. In this case it has been decided to follow the Fig Tree Bay Track. The first part of the route consists of following the Waikato Bay; On the way back, this part has been done walking directly through the sand of the beach thanks to the low tide, which has also meant that the sand was harder and it was not so complicated to walk there (up to everything has been found a dead penguin standing in the sand). After passing the natural breakwater that divides the Waikato Bay, it has arrived at the end of the beach and a poster has been found indicating that the circular road near the Paraawanui was cut later, and recommending taking another path, transforming this way the circular route in a round trip on the same path. In order to make sure the path was cut, it has continued on and another sign has been found indicating that the route was closed for repairs from that point. Since no fence or difficulty has been seen on the way, it has been decided to move forward. Certainly, the path is a bit more pending at this point, and it may be a bit more muddy, but no added danger has been observed. Following the circular route, then, Takini Point has been reached, and the final climb to the Paraawanui has begun, finding a warning poster of the sloping terrain.
Going down from the Paraawanui, the path has been followed until, at one point, the road begins to crumble. It has been decided to move forward to see if it was the way back later, but seeing that it moved away, it was decided to go back, not without first observing the good views of the Whangatupere Bay. Undoing the same path that had just been done, the intersection was found to take the path back, although it is located far ahead of what was expected. Therefore, at this point it is recommended to directly take the detour to start the way back; Anyway, if you decide to continue along the embedded path, either for a while or to return by another route, it is highly recommended to go with long pants, since the herbs and shrubs are very tall and some sting. The way back, then, despite being a bit sloping on some points, it is also very beautiful and offers good views. Once you have arrived at the point where the poster is recommending that you not follow the path you have cut, the return route is done along the same path, although in this case it has not been passed through the beach sand, but rather by a parallel grass path. However, we must be careful because this path of grass sometimes goes through private property and it is possible that it should continue along the sand.
It is a very pleasant route, well signposted with oranges triangles near the Paraawanui (except for the intersection to take the way back, which must be attentive), and that allows the possibility of a dip on the beach during the route, or when finished. It is a good way to explore the Karikari Peninsula, whose natural environment is spectacular.