Last Updated: 30th Aug 2024

Beginner

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Extended Thomas River

Castle Hill, Canterbury

Submitted by Katie Smith

Last Updated: 30th Aug 2024

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 10 ?

Gnarl Factor: 27 ?

6.6km

265m

260m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Riverside

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

5%
55%
40%

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -7.8%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:00

Slow

00:45

Moderate

00:35

Fast

From the car park follow the road on up the valley and drop down to cross the river on the bridge. Turn immediately right onto the single track, then follow it up some stairs to the terrace above and again turn right.

From here keep following the track as it mirrors the river. You will come to a large orange triangle and an arrow pointing you across the river - ignore this and keep straight on on the narrower track. You'll see a sign that says Pig Route. This continues to follow the river upstream, with some small climbs and over little humps.

Not long after you cross a dry scree creekbed the track heads back down to the river (just under 3km in) and you can hop across. Head right on the other side - there are a couple of cairns initially, then you'll see a sign for The Snout. This track follows the river back downstream but at a higher level through the beech forest.

It pops out at a little bench where the climbing mountain bike comes out to head to the Hogsback. Head back down into the bush here following the mountain bike track as it switches back and forth.

This GPX follows it all the way down back to the start, but at the signed junction you can also follow the track right and cut straight down to the water intake track, then left back to the start.

Toilets in Castle Hill village 500m back from the start point.

1 km

3 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

Very patchy.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

The river is close by for most of the run.

Trail Legend

Christian Couper

Christian Couper

has completed Extended Thomas River once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Probably close to the best small loop in Castle Hill. Only bettered by the Loop of Despair IMO. You really do need to do the extra couple of hundred meters to visit the locally famous lightning tree though, just after the seat lookout

Tony Sharpe

October 5

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