Mt Oxford HalfBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Katie Smith
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Native bushOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Beginner - Intermediate
4:30 (Slow)
3:30 (Moderate)
2:30 (Fast)
-13.0%
+14.3%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
From Coopers Creek start on easy farm tracks along the Mt Oxford summit track. This winds through pockets of beech forest, climbing steadily. As you get higher the view starts to unfold behind you out to the Canterbury plains.
As you break out above the bush line the route is poled, and continues to climb steadily. After a couple of false summits you eventually reach the top of Mt Oxford after around 7km to beautiful 360 degree views.
From here continue following poles across a broad ridge before gradually descending, ducking in and out of stunted beech forest which gradually gets taller. There are some steep sections of descent through this area which are slippery after rain.
At the first junction keep left then left again onto the Ryde Falls track. The falls are a short out-and-back detour, but worth the view.
The track continues down through bush with plenty of undulation through this section, and some deep muddy areas, before gradually becoming more well formed. A brief breakout from the bush takes you over a small rocky outcrop with views back up to Mt Oxford, before finishing back at Cooper Creek.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Great views across the Canterbury plains and across to the Southern Alps from the tops.
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 60%
Moderate Single Track: 20%
Easy Single Track: 15%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 5%
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
Coopers Creek - Ryde Falls loop
Length: 14.00km
Mt Oxford - Wharfdale Track
Length: 35.00km
Oxford Odyssey Marathon Route
Length: 41.00km
Mount Oxford Summit Scramble
Length: 14.00km
Photos:
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Access
From Oxford take Woodside Road - after about 7km turn right into Mountain Road and park at the Coopers Creek DoC car park.
Plenty of parking, no public transport.
10 km
12 minutes
Yes
No
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Staying Safe
Moderate.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
In poor visibility the poled route on the tops would be hard to follow.
Generally good.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions).
Several creeks are crossed towards the last third of the route, but water is somewhat scarce before this.
Snow from autumn through to spring on the tops.
Very muddy in parts after rain or when snow is melting. -
Post run indulgence
Sheffield Pie Shop
Sheffield
Can't beat a Sheffield pie!Cafe 51
Oxford
http://www.cafe51nz.com
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See other runs nearby:
Coopers Creek - Ryde Falls loop
Mt Thomas via Ridge Track
Mt Oxford - Wharfdale Track
Oxford Odyssey Marathon Route
Mt Richardson Rippa
Mt Thomas Grunt
Mount Oxford Summit Scramble
Blow Hard and back
Mt Thomas Routes and Ridges
Youngman Stream - Tarn Hut Loop
Mt Thomas Direct!
Glentui Waterfall Loop
Mt Thomas Forest Loop
Ashley All Terrrain
