Awesome AlfordIntermediate

Description

This quick ascent of this prominent Canterbury Foothill is one of the many trail running windfalls from the Tenure Review process. A well marked trail runs up an easement from the carpark, initially following a fenceline and soon plunging into an awesome remnant forest for the first third of the climb. It can be a bit tree rooty and muddy on this section and it soon starts gaining height and the running may slow to a power walk at times.

Soon the bushline is reached, and you skirt the farm boundary fence for a bit until emerging through a 'hole in the fence' gate and head across country to pick up the main ridge to the top. There's a cool little picnic table about half way up. The trail can be a bit sketchy at times but its well poled with orange markers and waratahs.

Further up through scrub and even some volcanic scree you'll gain the summit ridge and not too long after the football sized field at the summit will be reached. Worth exploring up here and taking lots of photos on a clear day with great views of the neighbouring Mt Hutt, Winterslow and Taylor ranges.

All in all a neat wee peak for a quick few hours hit out, return back the same way. Please stick to the marked trail as the surrounding land is mostly private freehold.

Features of interest

A commanding view from the summit of the surrounding Canterbury foothills and plains, some interesting old volcanic rock and an observatory all located on this route

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 30%

Moderate Single Track: 50%

Easy Single Track: 20%

Route Data