Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Kowai River Splash
Submitted by Arjan Hulsman
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 17 ?
Gnarl Factor: 92 ?
10.5km
80m
80m
360m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Arjan Hulsman
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 17 ?
Gnarl Factor: 92 ?
10.5km
80m
80m
360m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Totally/mostly flat
Dog Friendly
Riverside
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +2.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -2.1%
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Not suitable
Slow
1:45
Moderate
1:15
Fast
There are no track markers, but navigating this route will be fairly easy. You only can go one way. Just follow the Kowai river. From your start point you follow the river down stream over the many river banks and through many river crossings. There are heaps of little old stream beds you can follow to avoid a few river crossings. On some places you can choose to bush bash a bit to avoid the stream. The track ends at the Waimakariri River where you will have spectacular views over the Waimak and the Southern Alps. Back track your steps in return to your car or pick a different line up, in and around the Kowai river. Have fun!
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.
Park down at the river. With wet weather it might be good to park just past the bridge if you have a 2wd car.
4 km
4 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Perfect throughout.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Plenty water around, not sure about the quality, the rocks look a bit greasy. BYO.
Be careful after big rain. The river looks like it might flood once and while. In winter the water crossing can be pretty cold, so dress for cold water.
Sheffied pie shop
Sheffield
Prize winning pies
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Kowai River Splash
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Really fun mini adventure for a hot day - did it in a nor'wester and had a blast! Gaiters recommended to keep the sand and shingle out, and I also found poles useful for stability on the crossings and shingle banks. Though there are countless crossings, none are difficult, and this would be good practice and a confidence builder for bigger riverbed routes such as Goat Pass.
January 21, 2023
Good trail, but its a once off for me, lots of river crossings and uneven running, rocks and shingle.
January 5, 2021
What a great "trail", an easy adventure that I managed to squeeze in between two meetings. Nothing too challenging river wise, lost count of the number of crossings (30+ I guess). This was actually Plan B as the Benmore trail up the road a bit was closed due to Covid-19 but it was perfect.
May 8, 2020
This is a good trail if you want to do some river bed and river crossing training.
February 23, 2020
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