Norbett Creek Loop

Starting at the campsite, cross the bridge and follow the track marked Pakuratahi River Walk, which is a gentle undulating track for about 1km. Ignore the left turn to the Ridge Track (that's covered in the "To Rivendell" route in the Directory). Turn right when you hit the road, then right again to explore the Rivendell area that was one of the film locations for the Lord Of The Rings film trilogy.

Once you're done exploring here, turn left and head back along the road the way you came, this time continuing all the way out to the Strainer House and across the bridge. You've then got a sweet run up through some historic native bush with some incredibly old and beautiful rata and rimu trees.

You'll soon pop out at the swingbridge which will take you back to the Rivendell car park. Head up the road and turn left, following the road then track out to Kaitoke weir which is worth the short detour. Head back along the track from the weir, then left into the camping area where you should see the sign for Norbett Creek route heading into the bush. Note: While the swingbridge is closed, an alternative is to run up the road to Rivendell and back, then do the swing bridge as an out and back.

After a small creek crossing, you then begin a monster climb uphill for about 1.5k (the gradient is as much as 50% in places). The track is technical but well formed and you should be fine as long as you keep following the orange triangles. Eventually, you'll pop out on the Catchment Road 4WD track with great views across the Tararuas on a fine day. Turn right here and enjoy a well-earned 3k run downhill to the campground and back to where you started.