Bay of Plenty Police have found a woman who went missing in the Kaimai Ranges this afternoon.

A 42-year-old Tauranga woman was reported missing at about 3pm by her husband, after she was late back from a run on the Leyland O'Brien Tramway Track.

She was running the track, at the end of Whakamarama Road, while her husband and two children were walking it.

Tauranga Land Search and Rescue volunteers and the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter searched for the woman, who was found at about 6pm.

Sergeant Craig Madden from Tauranga Search and Rescue says she had had mistaken an old tramway truck for the main track.

He said she made the right decision, staying where she was when she became lost.

But he said  people should take a map and compass with them if they're planning to go running in the bush.