Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Mountainous
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +28.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -28.8%
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Not suitable
Slow
3:00
Moderate
1:30
Fast
Start from the dead end at Sebastopol Drive. Follow DOC signs to Red Tarns track. Cross the footbridge across Black Birch Stream. Follow the DOC track to Red Tarns. It is about 1km and 300m ascent up stairs with occasional low gradient sections.
Once at Red Tarns follow the unmarked but well worn route up to the saddle amongst low native vegetation. Continue up the ridge towards the summit of Sebastopol on steep sections made up of scree up to the summit at pt. 1468. Follow the ridgeline until you see a rock with a hole in it. Turn right and follow the scree fan down towards the valley floor. To the right is a gap in the vegetation and follow goat tracks to cut back under the Sebastopol Summit. Descend scree slope to meet back at the Red Tarns track and retrace steps to where you started.
This trail includes the peak Sebastopol .
Summit of Sebastopol provides 360 degree views of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
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 at the start of the trailhead.
1 km
5 minutes
No
No
Hard.
There are two key turning points in the route. One - after Sebastopol summit you traverse the ridge and need to find an exit point down into the valley. A key feature is a rock with a hole in it, above an obvious scree fan. Two - you need to sidle to the right in order to cut back under Sebastopol Ridge. There is a gap in vegetation you can see to the right. Follow one of the many goat tracks that lead you to this gap. Once through the gap, it is wide open scree fan to return back to the Red Tarns track.
Perfect throughout.
Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions)
No water along the route.
Not advised during winter as there is snow. Very exposed to cold winds and rain at certain times of the year.
The ridgeline is very exposed. Move carefully.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Sebastopol Traverse - sky run
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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.