Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Red Tarns
Submitted by Anna Brooke
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
3.5km
325m
325m
1050m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Anna Brooke
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
3.5km
325m
325m
1050m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Mountainous
Native bush
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +23.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -23.4%
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1:00
Slow
0:45
Moderate
0:35
Fast
Anybody can walk this, let's see how fast you can run it!
Well maintained path up through Alpine forest and scrub. The views are out of this world. It's one of those up up up runs then down down down after a nice loop of the red tarns.
This run goes up the easier side of Mt Sebastapol. Lots of steps, and more steps, then some more. Advise taking poles for balance.
In the morning/evening you'll enjoy little native birds keeping you company. Views of Mt Cook, Mt Sefton & Mt Annette.
Parking near the Mt Cook Village Public Shelter is available or at the DOC visitor centre.
1 km
1 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Follow your nose on the track
Generally good.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone
Nil. Don't drink from the tarns as they contain fragile alpine organisms.
Weather can be variable any time of year. Generally dry and good in summer. Watch out for snow/ice when it's cold but after a warm spell you can get away with doing it in winter in your runners. If there's snow/ice you'll need spikes as a minimum and after some storms/freezes it may be not run friendly. Just turn around if it gets too slippery.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Red Tarns
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A they really love a stair in this area! Great views for such a short distance
March 7, 2022
Great little jaunt, I reccomend tagging this one into the Governors bush loop.
May 7, 2021
This is a favourite! Everytime I come to Mt Cook, i always walk up to the Red Tarns. The view of Mt Cook is just spectacular from here. Also, it's where Mr Sharpe got down on one knee, so it's also very personal place for me <3
August 5, 2020
One of my favourate all time places to either walk or :run". Can't remember my exact running time but it was less than an hour up and down. A special location for me as its where Mrs Sharpe said yes.
July 31, 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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