Otira TempleBeginner
Submitted by Katie Smith
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Very hilly
RiversideOpen tussock/grasslands
Beginner
4:00 (Slow)
2:30 (Moderate)
2:00 (Fast)
-14.4%
+14.2%
Misery Trail is closed permanently now, meaning you'd need to use the road to link the Otira Valley & Temple Basin tracks
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Description
This run links some of the track options right off SH73 - do all or any part of it instead of driving by!
Park at the Otira Valley car park. Start off up the valley track, ignoring the turn-off to Lake Misery. The track climbs gradually up the true right of the Otira River, with great views right from the start. After about 2km cross the bridge over the river and continue up the valley, now on the true left. The track is still intermittently marked with cairns, but in places needs a bit of attention to stay on. The further up you get, the better the views of Mt Rolleston ahead, and back to Mt Phipps across the valley.
After about another 1.5km you reach the end of the runnable track - you can climb as far as you like before turning around to head back the same way. On the return, take the turn-off to Lake Misery. This track will link you to the Temple Basin track after about 1.5km. It is a mix of boardwalk and single track, with nice variety. A short climb gives great views along the valley before descending towards the road. Ignore the right hand track to Jack's Hut and Arthur's Pass and cross the road to an obvious footbridge. After going across this turn left up the Temple Basin track. This is initially a loose rocky 4WD track, but gets better as you climb up, and becomes narrower. Follow your nose up to the ski field buildings, and turn around to enjoy the view back across the valley. The route description stops here, but you can again head further up if you like. Head back down the same way, crossing back past Lake Misery and back to your car.
Trail Community
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 50%
Moderate Single Track: 20%
Easy Single Track: 20%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%
Route Data
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Access
Park at the Otira Valley car park off SH73
Small car park, generally safe
5 km
5 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Easy.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
In poor visibility the track up Otira Valley might be harder to follow
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Drink from the Otira on the way up and back, then fill bottles at the footbridge before starting up Temple Basin - no water here until the top.
Snow in winter, and the Otira Valley track crosses avalanche paths so be careful. The weather changes quickly and can be very cold even in summer.
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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
Encompassing Arthur's Pass
Barker's for Brunch
KKK (Klondyke - Kelly - Klondyke)
Kelly Tops
Poulter River Ranger
Dash, Bash, Splash and Dash Harman Pass
Arthur's Pass Taster
