Author Archives: laurence

Flanagans Pass

Effort: 4/5
Technical: 3/5
Scenery: 4.7/5
Surface
56% 4wd Track
14% Gravel Road
30% Sealed Road

Great alternative to the Dusky, the descent is worth the push to the top.

Approaching the first saddleLooking back down from the pyramidFlanagans PassMostly pushing from hereView back to the car; nearing the top of Flanagans PassThe top of FlanagansSingletrack transforming into 4wd, but great none the lessAmazing descent towards lake ohauMore great descendingP1050417

Statistics
Total distance: 44.68 km
Max elevation: 1213 m
Min elevation: 510 m
Total climbing: 1993 m
Total descent: -2007 m
Moving Time: 03:14:03

Mt Dewer – Shotover route

Effort: 3/5
Technical: 4/5
Scenery: 4.8/5
Surface
43% 4wd Track
27% Gravel Road
30% Singletrack

Excellent descent, less good traverse along the river, but amazing scenery throughout.

P1050349Double RegOld huts by the ShotoverOvergrown singletrackThe mighty ShotoverP1050367Skippers canyon road

Statistics
Total distance: 19.46 km
Max elevation: 1308 m
Min elevation: 472 m
Total climbing: 1777 m
Total descent: -1759 m
Moving Time: 02:32:56

Mt Alaska

Nice hiking, great views, bit of history and a plausible mountain bike route.

Multi use trailP1050286 PanoramaP1050291 PanoramaMt AlaskaBars preserving a historic hutP1050311 PanoramaHeather Jock HutP1050338View over to Mt Alaska from Kinloch on Christmas day

Statistics
Total distance: 22.19 km
Max elevation: 1483 m
Min elevation: 384 m
Total climbing: 3158 m
Total descent: -3137 m
Moving Time: 04:36:45

Percy Pass

Effort: 5/5
Technical: 2/5
Scenery: 3.3/5
Surface
75% Gravel Road
2% Unridable
33% Sealed Road

A long route on gravel roads with a difficult and long carry section. Satisfying but not that much fun.

The start of the long climb out of west armView back towards west armTop of percy passSteep carry along loose scree and grassThe carry gets worse as you enter the bushThe gravel goes on in a steeply down fashionFlatter fiordland gravelHeading towards borland passGaining heightA lot of nice downhillComfy accommodation at Borland LodgeNice views on the long road home

Statistics
Total distance: 111.73 km
Max elevation: 1086 m
Min elevation: 101 m
Total climbing: 14743 m
Total descent: -14635 m
Moving Time: 08:16:14
Statistics
Total distance: 48.49 km
Max elevation: 418 m
Min elevation: 132 m
Total climbing: 2120 m
Total descent: -2084 m
Moving Time: 02:53:56

Gertrude Saddle

A short hike to beautiful viewpoint that looks down onto Milford Sound.

P1050180A few chains make the last slabs easierView from Gertrude SaddleBlack lake

Statistics
Total distance: 14.16 km
Max elevation: 1500 m
Min elevation: 743 m
Total climbing: 5370 m
Total descent: -4778 m
Moving Time: 02:06:22

Rabbit Ridge

Effort: 2/5
Technical: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Surface
100% Singletrack

A biking resort, winery and cheesery all in one. Decent easy and intermediate difficulty trails.

Flat access trailsEasy, steady climbWell built bermsThe hubBack at the bottomPylon down - possibly the best track here

Statistics
Total distance: 13.82 km
Max elevation: 1255 m
Min elevation: 828 m
Total climbing: 1465 m
Total descent: -1461 m
Moving Time: 03:24:10

Center of New Zealand

Effort: 3/5
Technical: 2/5
Scenery: 3.3/5
Surface
100% Singletrack

Tiny set of tracks but a good loop none the less. There a little pump track at the bottom to boot.

View from the top of Center of New Zealand

Statistics
Total distance: 3.96 km
Max elevation: 146 m
Min elevation: 13 m
Total climbing: 238 m
Total descent: -284 m
Moving Time: 00:22:19

Involution

Effort: 3/5
Technical: 3/5
Scenery: 4.2/5
Surface
50% Gravel road
50% Singletrack

Switchbacks galore in this long descent.

Longish climb on the gravelRichmondNewish single track to the top of InvolutionTop of InvolutionSwitchbacks galoreTight cornersNice extra loop back to the start

Statistics
Total distance: 12.12 km
Max elevation: 715 m
Min elevation: 147 m
Total climbing: 709 m
Total descent: -710 m
Moving Time: 01:30:20

Hira Aka Sharlands Creek

Effort: 3.5/5
Technical: 3-5/5
Scenery: 3.5/5
Surface
50% Singletrack
50% Gravel road

Large network of trails that are very well maintained.

Up the forestry roadUp the firebreakSlingshotUp another forestry road to R&RR&RSmall named sectionsGreat rocky singletrack on WaterlooWillow Lane

Statistics
Total distance: 26.46 km
Max elevation: 537 m
Min elevation: 27 m
Total climbing: 1294 m
Total descent: -1445 m
Moving Time: 02:33:08