Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Riverside
Open tussock/grasslands
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +7.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -7.8%
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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
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Extended Thomas River
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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
October 5
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.