Coal Pit Spur LoopBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Katie Smith
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestOpen tussock/grasslands
Beginner - Intermediate
2:15 (Slow)
1:45 (Moderate)
1:20 (Fast)
-10.2%
+10.2%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
Cross the creek right by the car park. Head up the track (Coal Pit Spur) which vaguely follows the pylons uphill initially and across an open scrubby area before dropping south into beech forest. Switchbacks take you down into the valley then up alongside a creek, before climbing up the other side with several more switchbacks. Its a long steady climb through beautiful beech forest.
After about 4km you reach the Craigieburn ski field gravel road. Turn right and head up here for about 500m until you see the DoC sign on the left heading back into the beech forest, signposted Lyndon Saddle.
Follow this track as it sidles up through the trees, then turn hard left at the junction just before the 6km mark, again signed Lyndon Saddle. Keep climbing gradually until you pop out on the saddle. From here the 10 minute detour up Helicopter Hill provides expansive views across the area.
From the saddle follow the track downhill towards the Craigieburn campsite. Just before you reach here keep left onto the Sidle 73 track.
This clubs briefly through beech forest before popping into pines. You then meet the ski field gravel road again - keep left and head uphill for 500m before meeting the track you arrived on - signposted to Coal Pit Spur.
From here follow the track back the same way to your car.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Views of Craigieburn forest park, beech forest.
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 10%
Easy Single Track: 80%
Gravel Road: 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
Helicopter Hill
Length: 7.20km
Photos:
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Access
Just past the bridge to Flock Hill station heading north there is a pull-in off SH73 - park under the tree and follow your nose across the creek - you will see DoC markers appear shortly.
Plenty of parking, limited public transport.
13 km
11 minutes
Yes
No
-
Staying Safe
Easy.
Follow signage and you shouldn't get lost.
Very patchy.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Several creeks are crossed along the way and are fine to drink from.
There is likely to be snow on many parts of the track through winter.
Most of these tracks are open to mountain bikes (mainly over the summer months) so beware.
- Blog Posts and Articles
See other runs nearby:
Dracophyllum / Camp Saddle Loop
Hogsback Track
Helicopter Hill
Purple Peak Perpendicular
Leith Hill
Cloudsley - Enys Traverse
The Loop of Depression
Craigieburn Tops
Craigieburn Traverse
Thomas River Run
Camp Saddle to Lyndon Saddle Loop
The Edge loop
Porters to Castle Hill
