Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Native bush
Open ridges/tops
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.1%
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5:00
Slow
4:00
Moderate
3:00
Fast
A lovely trail past the Asbestos cottage then looping back along Cobb ridge with good views looking down onto the Cobb Reservoir. Trail follows an old asbestos mine access road until bypassing slips and steepening up. At the 7.5k mark take a sharp turn right towards Peat Flat. Near ridge top don't miss another sharp turn right traversing along Cobb Ridge. After more beautiful running trail pops out onto the main Cobb Road in front of the info kiosk/toilet. Then a gentle (if somewhat boring) 7k downhill on gravel road back to Asbestos corner.
Asbestos Cottage was built by prospectors looking for asbestos in the area. As well as being a relic of early interest in asbestos mining, Asbestos Hut is associated with Annie Fox and Henry Chaffey who lived in the hut for nearly 40 years. Read more about Henry and Annie Chaffey (external site) on the Te Ara website. The cottage is set in a grassy bush clearing with views over the valley towards Takaka. Some of the plants and flowers Henry and Annie planted in their garden remain, including currants, gooseberries, hellebores and daffodils. Bunks have been set up in the tiny bedroom and the hut is available as accommodation for trampers. Remedial work was completed in 1997. The hut will be maintained to protect its historic fabric and minimise deterioration. A conservation plan and specifications have been prepared to guide its management.
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No problem parking on the grass curb at Asbestos corner.
40 km
49 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Don't miss 3 sharp turn rights. Otherwise navigation is easy.
Very patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Good drinking water most of the way.
Access road can be icy in winter- consider a 4wd.
Wholemeal Cafe
Takaka
Good coffee.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Asbestos Cobb Loop
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