Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Native bush
Riverside
Lakeside
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.0%
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2:30
Slow
2:00
Moderate
1:30
Fast
Taking the loop clockwise, cross the bridge and follow the marked route across Greenstone Station's open paddocks to Elfin Bay, where it's worth checking out the old wharf.
The climb through red beech eases before reaching picturesque Lake Rere. Pockets of mountain beech and grassland lead you to a second bridge and a climb to join the Greenstone Track.
Turn right onto the Greenstone trail: the Greenstone undulates through native bush, river flats with and lends gorgeous views of the surrounding peaks. Follow the Greenstone back to the carpark.
Lake Rere (running water), a popular tourist destination in the late 19th century.
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.
The parking area at the start of the trail is remote and accessed by walkers, trail users and campers. Be aware of ensuring your vehicle and belongings are secure.
35 km
48 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Navigation is straightforward, the trail is well used and marked.
Non-existent.
Lightweight fleece top, Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries
There is running water available at various points along the trail. Not sure about the drinking quality. There is stock running over parts of the trail at various times of year.
The trail looses the sun pretty quickly out of summer, so can be cooler than expected in the later parts of the day.
Mrs Wooleys General Store
Glenorchy
https://www.theheadwaters.co.nz/general-store/
Excellent Coffee
Pies to die for
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Lake Rere Loop
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Great run, with variety of terrain, quite muddy at sections, mainly before reaching the Lake( winter time) and few fallen trees along the Lake Rere trail. Took a detour to slip Flat hut and up Caples Valley. Not a single person encountered. Loved it!
August 21, 2023
3rd time around this gem & it keeps on giving. It has a little bit of everything and is a real delight. I’m yet to run it ‘fast’ as there’s always so much to look at and soak in. Love it!
February 24, 2023
Great little run, with a mixture of bogs, trees down across tracks, a land slip and part of the track now a water course, everything you could want! Didnt see anyone else, and cant wait to do some more trail runs in the area (taster for Greenstone/Caples (maybe fast packing!)
September 24, 2021
Gorgeous run with plenty of variety, lots of stops for pics (2hrs 15 total time including stops, running easy getting over food poisoning). Some of the trail markings are now a faded orange from the sun, but still plenty there and easy to follow (which was good given my watch died two third’s of the way around). Was a gorgeous day after plenty of rain days, so water coming down some od the rocky trails, and some boggy spots with mud up over calves a couple of times, but crossing the next ford soon cleans it off. 😂. Also, was happy we were in a rental car as had to cross 3 fords on the way to get to start of track. Didn’t see another person. Wish we had longer to explore the area.
August 19, 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.