Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Mountainous
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +17.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -16.8%
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2:00
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:00
Fast
Start is at the car park where there is a notice board of what walking tracks are on offer. I took the Summit Track which takes you to the top of Mt Thomas. This is very steep and you are going through a pine tree forest. It is approx 3.5 kms to the trig station. From here you run along the ridge track for approx 1.5 - 2 kms which is a nice easy run. You then take the Wooded Gully Track which starts your descent back to the car park. This is in nice native beech forest. This track can be quit technical and steep in places. The time I did it was after a lot of rain and can be very wet on the track and in places a mini stream which was fun.
This trail includes the peak Mount Thomas.
At the top is a great look out over to Christchurch City and surrounding farm land. Absolutely stunning views
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Car parking is readyily available at the car park. Would pay to take valuables with you, although I have had no problems with car being broken into.
23 km
21 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Generally good.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map
Not sure, I took my own. There is streams you can get water from assuming it is drinkable. A camp ground near by which should have water available.
Can be muddy, slippery & very wet underfoot after heavy rain. Exposed ridge top which will expose you to the weather conditions.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Mt Thomas Grunt
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A nice loop run on a crystal clear winters day. We completed this anitclockwise. Hiked up the Summit Track and ran from the Mt Thomas trig point along and down the Ridge Track. A quick loop for when the weather further West isn't good enough and winter daylight hours shorten what can be achieved.
July 3, 2022
summit track is a real grunt - much prefer to go along the top and come down by the ridge track - slightly longer but a lot more runnable and less technical than wooded gully
October 17, 2021
BM
This is a trail of your looking for more bang for your buck! The summit track is moderately steep but offers awesome views part of the way up. Bit of a heart racer but she’s good the ol fitness. Great views from the top, near 360 degrees. Along the ridge is a neat little flat section which is a pleasant run. Coming down wooded gulley gets a bit footy and GM army in places but is enjoyable and is covered mostly by beach forest.
May 21, 2021
Hiked this one today and it was a grand trip out. Tracks were nice and dry but can imagine they’d be really hard work after rain. Awesome views from the summit and some technical bits on the down hill to get you thinking. A nice loop.
April 5, 2021
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.