Last Updated: 9th Jan 2024

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Mt Grey

Amberley, Canterbury

Submitted by Yonni Kepes

Last Updated: 9th Jan 2024

Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 24 ?

Gnarl Factor: 45 ?

14.0km

770m

770m

934m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Other

Run Makeup

15%
20%
10%
25%
30%

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +13.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -14.0%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:45

Slow

1:45

Moderate

1:10

Fast

From the Lake Janet carpark, follow the track up beside the toilet. You'll start climbing, and soon come out into the open zig-zagging your way up the hill. After a couple of hard km's you'll find you've reached the Fire House (look out). From here continue up trail (approx north) direct up the spur through the bush. After about 20m you will emerge on the service road, follow the service road up, as it winds it's way to the cellphone tower

From here you can look across to the trig in the distance, go down the hill and then climb back up to the trig of Mt Grey.

From the trig, turn back but follow the track that leads down to the right. It's nice single track, and after a couple of km you'll enter the bush and start the meandering switchbacks. Follow the trail down to the Grey River, where the track will come out at a gravel road and a river. Turn left here, and follow the road back to Lake Janet - it's about a 3km run on tired legs!

Mt Grey trig, Lake Janet lake

The road is gravel, and a bit rutty, so take care driving. Parking is fine at Lake Janet.

17 km

20 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Follow what you thinks best! :) It's easy enough

Very patchy.

Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map.

Take water with you. If you need water, you should be able to access it at the Grey River Camping ground.

It's fine all year round. Even better with snow, just so long as you are prepared!

Be careful coming down the switchbacks as they get slippery and there can be tripping hazards.

The Blue Dairy
Amberley
N/A
Great, cheap ice creams!

Trail Legend

KF

Koleighne Ford

has completed Mt Grey once in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

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Trail Reviews

Nice loop with beautiful views on a late autumn day. The forest has been cleared by Lake Janet so it’s not so easy to see it. I really enjoyed the Mt Grey track down. Nice flow until I hit…MUD! Decent sections of mud towards the bottom in late May but was able to stay mostly out of it by dancing around the sides and careful balance but it does slow you down so maybe save the KFTs for the summer. The 4wd track back is a grunt up back to the start. Mostly uphill but a fun and loop to do.

Lucy Rvs

May 28, 2022

Awesome loop run..going up is ok...but going back down is stunning and so much fun to run! 4 stars just because going up via firehouse there is some shoddy overgrown bits. But very worth it for the second half of the run.

Julie Williamson

May 12, 2021

Wow, what an unexpected gem. In my experience, it is uncommon to find trail runs in NZ that are this runnable...usually it's quite steep ascents/descents, but this is juuuust right and you feel like you can run forever! Gorgeous views from the top too. The first 10 km are a delight. The last 4 km back up the road are not as exciting, but if that's the price of admission I'll pay it every time. I will have to try this one in reverse next time.

Matt Halverson

March 29, 2021

Such a great Goldilocks of a run, not too easy, not too hard. Challenging climb to begin with but you're rewarded with a quicker than expected appearance of the firehouse lookout, with a steady climb to the summit not too far from there. What a descent! We ran it quick but not crazy and had a blast! A little muddy in the darker parts of the lower sections, but our feet remained dry today. As others have said, the metal road back to the start is a drag, but it's a good way to spin out any remaining energy so you can bask in that post workout glow on the drive out. Thoroughly recommended, and we'll be back to try it in reverse next time.

Scott Ferguson

January 1, 2021

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