Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Mt Isobel Long Loop

Hanmer Springs, Canterbury

Submitted by Mal Law

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 30 ?

Gnarl Factor: 34 ?

20.0km

1200m

1200m

1319m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Mountainous

Native bush

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

20%
30%
15%
10%
25%

Sealed Road

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +11.3%

Average Downhill Gradient: -10.6%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

4:00

Slow

3:00

Moderate

2:00

Fast

Head north on Amuri Ave and left on to Jacks Pass Rd. Ignore the right turn on to Clarence Valley Rd but take the next right on to Chatterton Rd, which soon turns to gravel and then single track.
Follow this sweet trail uphill, bearing left at the only junction to reach Jacks Pass.
Here you cross the road and pick up the marked route to Mt Isobel. Some 4kms and 450m of climb later you'll reach the trig and soak in the views.
Continue on over the top following the poled route towards Jollies Pass Rd. Turn right and after a short uphill you crest the high point of the road and start a long downhill back to town on gravel road. The last couple of kms are flatter and sealed, so a fast finish if you still have the legs!

Great views once above the bushline. And of course, the spa pools for a hot soak when finished!

Plenty of safe parking.

0 km

1 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Well signposted but keep an eye out for turnings.

Generally good.

Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions).

No drinking water on the route. Take what you need to get you through.

Snow and ice in winter.

Exposed at all times of year on the tops, so go prepared!

Trail Legend

Alex Slack

Alex Slack

has completed Mt Isobel Long Loop once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Great route . No views sadly as it was all cloudy up top but I still had a great time.

Would love to go back and do this again and see the views i missed out on.

Alex Slack

April 11, 2023

Excellent little loop! Chatterton stream was a bit waspy (feb) so next time would avoid at this time of year. Lovely along the tops! Take care when you turn off the summit towards jollies pass its easy to go down the wrong ridgeline. Enjoy!

Laura Richards

February 6, 2022

Grunty loop great views has a good mix of terrain

Paul Dench

August 2, 2020

Great loop and can feel nicely away from the crowds of Hanmer, I have run this a few times in each direction, but actually prefer it in the opposite direction as I find the long downhill on Jollies pass quite hard on the legs but coming down the river track a bit nicer.

Fiona Stechmann

March 22, 2020

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