Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Aamped and Clomped
Submitted by Nicole Jackson
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 27 ?
Gnarl Factor: 64 ?
13.9km
760m
760m
1115m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Nicole Jackson
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 27 ?
Gnarl Factor: 64 ?
13.9km
760m
760m
1115m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Gravel Road
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.5%
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2:30
Slow
1:45
Moderate
1:15
Fast
I start this trail at the bottom of the Mt Hutt access road as it gives your legs time to warm up before heading uphill. At the T-Section head down the gravel road in the direction of the hills (not up Mt. Hutt Rd.) Once you are in the reserve the toilet block is on your left and the track starts behind it. The track to follow is the Alder Track. Within a few hundred meters there will be the first junction, go right.
Follow track up hill and through a few small clearings. Eventually you will be given the option of taking the Scotts Saddle track - take it! Stay on the Scotts Saddle track up to the bushline, there is an obvious and marked route beyond this point all the way up to the Trig Point at Scotts Saddle. Once you reach the trig point, look down and to the right. You will see the entrance to Scotts Saddle Express Mt. Bike track. Follow this track downhill until you meet The Main Downhill Line and then Backdoor. But any option of tracks will take you downhill!! If the tracks have mountain bikers on them then it is probably safest to use the main access road. It is still a wickedly fast and fun downhill and a safer option.
Fantastic birdlife to be heard in Te Awa Awa rata reserve.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Park on the verge at the T-section at the bottom of Mt Hut. access road or Te Awa Awa Rata reserve. No public Transport.
14 km
14 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
There are multiple track options, so take care when track splits. The same on the downhill there are multiple options for descending, saying that they will all take you back to the Mt. Hutt access road.
Perfect throughout.
Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone
No water.
Can be very muddy any time of the year. Slippery clay underfoot during the winter. Also if you choose to descend ski hill access road it can be very busy with vehicles during the winter time. You will be above tree line at certain points and weather and it can be incredibly windy and cold.
Mountain Bikers/Vehicles
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Aamped and Clomped
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Fun trail, and plenty challenging for an eternal beginner like me. The top of Scott’s saddle has amazing views on a clear day, and this trail was still beautiful in the fog and rain.
Just a note that the guide seems to describe an early right turn and heading up Scott’s trail from its start, but the map seems to show completing Alder then heading up the ridge track to join Scott’s Saddle track. I’m familiar with the area but I still found it confusing to know which option I was supposed to take.
I ended up deciding to take Alder and Ridge track like I think the map shows, which is a little longer but an easier climb. To do this you turn right after 1.2km instead of after a couple of hundred meters as the guide says.
There were a few cycles about so I also took some advice from friendly people on the track, to head down the front door track instead of the backdoor track so that any cyclists would be coming uphill in front of me instead of downhill behind me.
The whole loop measured 16km for me in the end, with the variations.
March 3, 2024
Great alpine adventure. Very cold up top even without snow on the ground so take plenty of layers. Dog bowl part way round is a nice touch. Wicked fast down hill. The wildlings pine debris has been moved off the track and you can avoid running on the road, there's a trail parallel to the road. Loved it! Earned my Gold Goat badge with this one
August 1, 2020
A delightfully varied trail with bush birdsong and sunshine to delight. Slight downside was having to avoid the recently felled wilding pines the contractors had left all over the mtb trail (tho I imagine the mtbers would be more annoyed) and the piece of trail that goes along the side of the Mt Hutt access road...didn't expect there to be so much traffic around midday on a mid winter Saturday. But otherwise it was most enjoyable going up and heaps of fun coming down!
July 26, 2020
These overlap with this trail 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 activity for each.
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