Vernon RidgelineBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by James Crockett
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushOpen farmlandsOpen ridges/tops
Beginner - Intermediate
2:20 (Novice)
1:50 (Intermediate)
1:20 (Elite)
-7.8%
+8.0%
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Description
One of my favorite hill runs!! Tough and challenging, but highly rewarding with some of the best views in Marlborough. Most days the North Island is easily visible.
Head east from Rifle range or Quail Stream Car parks, taking the lower route until you come to Redwood Street.
From there its a short little section south along the road until you reach the Mt Vernon car park.
Take the Lower Sutherland Stream Trail which undulates for about 2km then hang a left and start the big climb up the Covenant Track to the Mt Vernon Lookout (water fountain here).
Follow the trail around (add in the the trig climb as well if you really hate your legs..) along Split Apple track until you meet another junction on Reservoir Ridge (water here as well....sometimes).
Continue along the ridge on Taylor View Track which starts dropping more gradually until you reach the water tanks, where you turn right on to Lower Quail Stream. This takes you down to Quail Junction with a toilet and another water stop. From here its North up Lower Quail Stream through the bush to Quail Stream car park, and back to the start!!
Trail Community
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Features of interest
Check out the "Airstrip" near the Mount Vernon Stonehenge Lookout - would make for some interesting landings....
Make Up of Run
Easy Single Track: 12%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 57.5%
Gravel Road: 30%
Sealed Road: 0.5%
Route Data
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I did it!-
Access
Very easy to find! Easy access anywhere along the initial part of the track, I would recommend starting from the Rifle Range car park. But there are two other start points I have used, Quail Stream car park or the park at the top of Redwood Street.
Rifle Range: Water and toilets
Quail Stream (top of Forest Park Drive) Water and Toilets
Redwood Street: NO WATER OR TOILETS5 km
8 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the RunHunters app on your phone. View on RunHunters .
There are detailed maps at each of the major car parks to plan your run, if new to the area i would suggest mapping it out first here, the tracks are all really well signed so shouldnt have any issues getting lost.
Perfect throughout.
Windproof jacket, Cellphone.
Water is available on various points of the run, however some times they have been not working so i always carry at least a hand held.
The water at the car parks is generally always working, just the ones on the track at the Mt Vernon Lookout and Ridge-line can be pretty temperamental.
ALWAYS be prepared for wind! Some of the ridges are very exposed and can get cold. track is still good to run in the wet and in really good condition!
Watch out for livestock (sheep and cows) and cyclists. Its a working farm, as well as dual purpose tracks in places.
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Post run indulgence
Old Bank Tavern
81 Cleghorn Street, Redwood Town
https://www.facebook.com/paradise.net.nz/
Great selection of local brews... and hot chips!!! -
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Wairau Lagoons Loop
Tokomaru, Mt Robertson Circuit
Wairau Lagoons Loop v2
King and Queen of the Withers
Mt Sunday - Mt Riley Loop
Mt Vernon Grand Traverse
Quest for Mt Richmond
Northbank to Nelson Traverse
Havelock to Picton Link Pathway
A Full Chalice
Patriarch Road and Goulter Valley
