Fern Tree Park places you directly on the lower slopes of kunanyi/Mount Wellington. The 2026 Kunanyi Trail Series finale captures that large mountain atmosphere from the start. This is trail running with substance: smooth sections, damp forest, and enough rocky, technical terrain to demand focus. The shorter Snake Plains route maintains this character without the same intensity, while Ferny Trees offers beginners a run through dense fern gullies.
The Potato Hopper route presents a significant challenge, ascending through tall manferns past old waterworks to Silver Falls, The Springs, Milles Track, the Disappearing Tarn, and the rough Potatofields dolerite boulderfield before descending towards Wellington Falls Track and Pipeline Track. Snake Plains follows the initial climb before diverging onto the distinct Snake Plains Track, ensuring it retains a mountain run feel rather than a diluted experience. Anticipate experienced trail runners seeking a genuine challenge, alongside those desiring a satisfying yet approachable adventure.