Encompassing Arthur's PassVery Experienced
Back country - remote
Loop
Mountainous
Native bushRiversideOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Very Experienced
24:00 (Slow)
17:00 (Moderate)
12:00 (Fast)
-10.0%
+7.5%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Please set your gender to see your position on the FKT leaderboards.
Men
There are currently no male FKTs for Encompassing Arthur's Pass.
Women
There are currently no female FKTs for Encompassing Arthur's Pass.
Filter FKTs
The more , the harder the FKT will be to beat. Learn about Fastest Known Times.
Description
Start at Klondyke Corner, follow trail up Waimakariri River to col which is a very nice mix of river bed and single track (to Waimakariri Falls hut at least). Depending on time of year you may have snow over the col (I used crampons here). Snow was well softening by 9am but I wasn't sinking too much and was able to run down to where Rolleston river gorges which was easier than descending scree. Here you should take a true left sidle that doesn't look too nice, instead I ended up in the river which has a few short waterfalls to down climb and was anything but great. It was quite hard to find any pace through this section. After this you get on Rolleston river route which is overgrown and slow but ok until you pop out near the rail bridge. From here it is easy. Run or bike (I stashed a bike here) to start of Deception and back to Klondyke Cornerover Goat Pass (the C2C run route). This part is covered pretty well in other write ups and is most enjoyable.
Trail Community
Features of interest
It is awesome to follow the Waimakariri to its source, cross the Divide at Waimakariri Col and descend Rolleston River which is pretty wild for a "tramping route". Have a quick break/lunch near Otira and bike along highway to start of Deception. Re-cross the Divide at Goat Pass running the famous C 2 C trail and finish at Klondyke Corner.
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 30%
Technical Single Track: 20%
Moderate Single Track: 20%
Easy Single Track: 20%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each
Photos:
Your Trail Wishlist
All the runs that are on your To Do list (no limit).
Add to wishlist view wishlistWild Explorers
I did it!-
Access
Klondyke Corner, a few kms south of Arthurs Pass on SH73
Plenty of parking at Klondyke corner, may not be wise to leave valuables in car overnight etc.
I also stashed a bike and some lunch + hydration at Rolleston River bridge to help me get to start of Deception (road section of about 9km)8 km
9 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Hard.
Follow description in Waimakariri Col route guide for getting down Rolleston River
Very patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions), Gaiters.
Plenty from streams
In high water this will be no go, also there are parts of Waimakariri and Rolleston river that are in avalanche paths so be mindful of conditions. Snow conditions over Waimakariri Col should dictate how this section should be approached as well.
-
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Bealey - Avalanche Traverse
Goat Pass
Rome Ridge/Rough Creek Alpine Circuit
Cass-Lagoon Trail
Woolshed Whopper
Avalanche Peak - Crow River
Hawdon-Edwards Classic
Polar Discovery
The Taipo
Waimak Col (Otira to Klondyke)
The Bloody Limit
Oates for Breakfast
Avalanche Peak
Andrews-Poulter Circuit
Bealey Blaster
Barker's for Brunch
KKK (Klondyke - Kelly - Klondyke)
Otira Temple
Kelly Tops
Poulter River Ranger
Dash, Bash, Splash and Dash Harman Pass
Arthur's Pass Taster
