Big A Little A - Mt Arrowsmith Intermediate

Description

This is the route used in Thee Run & Thee Ride marathons each year. There is also a 17km option which takes in most of the first climb but doesn't head around the mountain (Little A).
This is on private land so contact the owners who will be able to give up to date advice on their tracks.

The loop heads up the Cameron river then over a saddle to drop to the South Ashburton river before heading back over to the start at Lake Heron

From the woolshed head down to the road, turn left and follow the gravel road along lake for 2.5km
Head left across the fields for a couple of hundred meters to pick up the farm track and climb 700m over the next 8km. The track is a clay in some parts with loose rock in others, the views open up as you climb.
From this high point of 1400m there is a quad bashing descent which levels out as you near the river. There is a (flat) scree slope with large stones to run across at the 21km point.
Then continue along the river for 6km before veering left at the 27km mark and climbing a couple of short rises which will lead you through a nice little gorge. One last climb out of the gorge, follow around to the left, a quick 3km downhill than 5 rolling kms across the farm to the start

Features of interest

Mt Arrowsmith is a working station that welcomes trampers, Mtb's, horses, & 4WD etc onto their tracks for a small fee.
In 2018 it was $10 per day for biking & hiking, $15 for a horse & $20 for 4WD
They have a woolshed decked out for sleeping plus a flash lodge.
https://www.arrowsmithstation.co.nz/
email arrowsmith@farmside.co.nz or call +0064 3 303 9090
There is also a campground a few hundred meters before the farm.
This is big country with great views of a couple of different valleys that open right up as you climb and head around the mountain.

Make Up of Run

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 95%

Gravel Road: 5%

Route Data