Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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I've done it Done

Luggate to Albert Town

Wanaka, Otago

Submitted by Mal Law

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 16 ?

Gnarl Factor: 13 ?

16.0km

190m

200m

290m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, small hills only

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Riverside

Run Makeup

100%

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +3.3%

Average Downhill Gradient: -3.6%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:10

Slow

1:40

Moderate

1:10

Fast

Follow the Luggage Creek Trail for a km to the confluence with the Clutha. Here a short detour to the Devil's Nook is worthwhile, otherwise turn left and head upstream following the obvious track. After another couple of kms this pops out at the road above the Red Bridge - cross straight over and pick up the gravel trail on the other side, following it up into the Shortcut Road car park area.

Beyond here the trail (now the Upper Clutha River Track) sticks pretty close to the river most of the way, sometimes rising above for great views, sometimes dropping to the side of the water and into shade that is welcome on a hot day. Keep following it for another 13km to reach the car park at the far end. Just before the end you cross the Cardrona River on a footbridge and finish with a couple of hundred metres following this tributary of the mighty Clutha to your finish point.

Your pick-up point is the small car park in the trees, which is signposted just off Kinnibeg St on the outskirts of Albert Town

The Devil's Nook at the confluence of Luggage Creek and the Clutha River; great views of the mighty Clutha from lots of spots along the way as well as deep into the surrounding mountains on a nice day.

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 trailhead is in a residential area - there's no car park as such but plenty of safe on-the-street parking. This is a one way run so unless you want to double it up into a long out & back you'll need to shuttle cars or arrange a drop-off and pick-up.

16 km

16 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

Just follow the obvious trail and signposts.

Generally good.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Best to carry your own as there is nowhere easily accessed to top up with safe drinking water.

Typical Otago extremes - can be very cold/icy in winter and very hot in summer. The trail is well made and so don't get too muddy even after a lot of rain.

Watch out for mountain bikers as this is a dual use track.

Trail Legend

Steve Hanmer

Steve Hanmer

has completed Luggate to Albert Town once in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

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Trail Reviews

Start from Albert town for easy hitchhike back.

Mike McManaway

December 15, 2022

Great fun 👍

Adam Clifford

April 10, 2021

Really nice cruisey track with lots of small undulations for those that are scared of flat trails. We've done a there and back starting from the kayak put in point at the Albert Town bridge. Plenty of partking there.

Matt Doherty

August 22, 2017

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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.

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