Trails and TribulationsIntermediate
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Back country - remote
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
RiversideOpen farmlandsOpen tussock/grasslands
Intermediate
5:00 (Slow)
4:00 (Moderate)
3:00 (Fast)
-11.2%
+11.2%
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Description
From the trail head hop the stile into the Redcliffe Conservation Area and follow the DOC marked trail through the matagouri, and across to the river flank. Track is well marked and soon begins climbing a substantial gorge. Some sections can be quite steep and slippery so good soles on your shoes are recommended.
Eventually you top out into expansive high country tussock/grasslands and you can really stretch your legs out across undulating open country for a few km's until you eventually drop down into the Swift Stream catchment and down to Tribulation Hut.
Occasionally across the trail peters out, but mostly its well marked and hard to go too wrong. You will get wet feet crossing Swift Stream. Views are broad and sweeping once you hit the saddle and head along the upper valley.
Return the way you came, or choose a more challenging high route back out around the tops of Rat Hill and Mt Hecia if you are up for something even more epic.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Tribulation Hut is an old musterers lodging that is now part of the Conservation Estate as a result of Tenure Review and retirement of the land. Its become popular with hunters and trampers for overnight stays and is a pleasant high country run or day walk.
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 5%
Technical Single Track: 40%
Moderate Single Track: 20%
Easy Single Track: 25%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 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

Hakatere Shoe Washer
Length: 60.00km
Photos:
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Access
Head up the south side of the Upper Rakaia valley on Double Hill Run Road.
Parking at the trail head
35 km
39 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Moderate.
Take the DOC map and GPX
Non-existent.
Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.
It's high country farm land around here, as such the stream should be ok to drink from. Otherwise there's a water tank at the hut
Snow in winter, can be exposed to the wind
This is remote but not too challenging country, tell someone where you are going and have the right gear in case you take a tumble or sprain
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Post run indulgence
Anything in Methven- maybe the Blue or Brown pubs!
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See other runs nearby:
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Mt Somers - Round The Mountain
Mt Somers - Over the Top V1
Lake Camp and Clearwater Loop
Awesome Alford
Lake Lilian Track
Browning Pass - Southern Alps Crossing
The Southern Pinnacles
Mt. Taylor Dual
Rakaia Rush
Aamped and Clomped
Hakatere Shoe Washer
Mount Somers Summit Loop via Pinnacles Hut
Scotts Pudding Loop
The Lady Lakes
Edoras on Sunday