Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Mountainous
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +24.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -19.2%
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3:30
Slow
2:30
Moderate
1:45
Fast
Starting at the carpark head up the gravel road until you reach the trailhead. Follow the signposted route for Emily Falls/South Ridge.
This track then winds its way along and down to the Rata Stream which you go along a bit and cross. Follow the track along and then up the South Ridge, which becomes a poled route and heads up the ridge to reach Little Peel.
Once at the hut, make sure you pop up to bag the trig, then continue on your way. Following the track along Deer Spur is a lot easier and is less technical - a chance to smash you quads if you feel inclined. Head down this trail all the way back. You will come out at the top of Lookout Road which is about 300m from the carpark.
This trail includes the peak Little Mount Peel/Huatekerekere.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Parking space available off the street. Information board and toilet present as well.
25 km
23 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Patchy.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions)
No water available
It gets very windy on top and topped with snow sometimes.
A little bit of rock clambering at the top of south ridge but nothing too serious.
The Green Man Cafe
Peel Forest
http://thegreenmanpeelforest.co.nz/
They sell coffee and ice cream, nuff said.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Little Peel Loop
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The best way to do Little.... take the route less traveled and go up South Ridge.... You do find people that don't realise they are heading up the hard way... eeek!
September 20, 2021
My Favourite Biggest Little Mountain!
I enjoy this approach to the summit challenging climb rewarded with magic views and a fun decent more commonly approached is up n down deer spur, I like the Loop.
November 14, 2020
I did this one balmy evening after work back in the days when I worked in Timaru, a great variant on the normal up and down route here. The south side is definitely a more rugged experience, but highly rewarding
October 6, 2020
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.