85% 4wd Track
10% Single Track
5% No Track
A nice there and back ride with a great wilderness feel. Lots of matagari bushes ready to puncture tyres though.
Description
This route starts off Double Hill Run Road, about 36kms north off SH77. This road turns to gravel about half way along and there can be a number of fords to cross, especially in heavy rain. The trail is part of Te Araroa and the start is marked by a DOC sign.
The first 4.5kms are through private land, with cows, long grass, multiple stiles and a steady uphill gradient being the main difficulties/obstacles. Once at the boundary to the conservation area the track climbs more steeply in a series of switchbacks to the top of Turtons Saddle at almost 1200m and 6kms in. From here the track ascends slightly before a long rough and loose descent down to A Frame hut. A very nice, small, well insulated hut.
From the A Frame hut the track follows the river with a few ups and downs along the way. After another 2kms the track proceeds to cross the river multiple times over about 1km. We found this to be unnecessary on our return and simply stuck to the east bank. It was just as easy to ride. There is one last climb before a compulsory river crossing and the flat land by the Comyns hut is reached.
There are two huts at Comyns Hut, one from the 1890’s and one from 1957. I’d recommend the newer Comyns hut as the original one is probably a little drafty. The newer hut is a basic corrugated iron affair but it does have 8 bunks, mattresses, fireplace and table and benches. Could be quite cosy.
The track from here becomes very undefined so the only sensible decision is to turn round and head back the way you came. The final descent down from Turtons Saddle is really great.
Overall the track is pretty bumpy and loose and there are many areas of matagari. So I’d recommend taking a few spare inner tubes and a puncture repair kit. Also its worth checking all suspension parts are working well.