Last Updated: 2nd Oct 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Mt Thomas via Ridge Track

Oxford, Canterbury

Submitted by John Davis

Last Updated: 2nd Oct 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 29 ?

Gnarl Factor: 46 ?

15.2km

1050m

1050m

1030m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Mountainous

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

10%
90%

Gravel Road

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +13%

Average Downhill Gradient: -13.5%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

3:45

Slow

3:00

Moderate

2:15

Fast

A nice way up Mt Thomas (avoiding the leg wrecking stairs of wooded gully and the unrelenting steepness of the Summit Track). Hardest part of the route is getting to the start of the ridge track itself without getting lost on the logging roads (total lack of signage) - from the car park head west on the main road and take the SECOND turn on the right (which veers off at an angle), follow that road up for 600m and the ridge track starts on the right, initially up thru logged pineforest before entering the beech forest at about 3km. Follow the ridge track up to the top and turn right, following the ridgeline along to the summit of Mt Thomas (at the 8km mark). Easiest option down is to retrace your route, or you can go down the Summit Track (steep but unstepped) or Wooded Gully Track (way too many steps).

23 km

20 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Patchy.

Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

nil - take plenty

relatively high so tends to have plenty of snow in winter.

Wasps can be a major issue in summer

Trail Legend

Steve Hanmer

Steve Hanmer

has completed Mt Thomas via Ridge Track once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

One correction - this is definitely dog friendly and makes up one of the mountains on the Further Faster Mountain Dog Challenge! An awesome route up a great mountain, and I assume great views at the top - yet again I was cursed with about 1m of visibility. Very easy to go the wrong way, so have your wits about you.

Fleur Douglas

January 31, 2020

Fabulous views from the top (I may need to upgrade my camera). I really should have remembered to take the second right, oops! The correct road has orange DOC markers to show you're on the right path.

Frances Hobkirk

April 23, 2018

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