Big Hill CircuitIntermediate
Submitted by Malcolm Law
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushRiversideOpen tussock/grasslands
Intermediate
4:30 (Slow)
3:25 (Moderate)
2:15 (Fast)
-12.4%
+13.0%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Please set your gender to see your position on the FKT leaderboards.
The more , the harder the FKT will be to beat. Learn about Fastest Known Times.
Description
From the Chinese Camp cross Bush Creek on a small wooden bridge, turn right and head up the Arrow River for 100m or so, then left onto a track just beside the pipeline of the Arrow irrigation scheme.
Follow this wicked bit of single track north for a couple of kms and cross the Arrow River on the footbridge. Then turn left on to the 4WD track. Follow this as it climbs high above the river, crosses Brackens Gully and descends again.
Shortly after crossing Soho Creek (about 6.5 kms into the run) there is a small section of single track leading to a footbridge across to the western (true right) side of the Arrow River. Keep heading up valley on the 4WD road for about another 4 kms. There are a few places where the road fords the river but you can usually find a way through on the same side to avoid wet feet if you wish.
After about 10kms you reach the site of the derelict Mt. Soho homestead (not massively obvious) and then you'll see Eight Mile Creek (or Coronet Creek as it is sometimes known) merging with the main valley from the left. Head west into Eight Mile Creek (the route is easy but not particularly well marked) and follow the sketchy farm track upstream for a short distance while looking out for poles that mark the beginning of Big Hill Track (on your left as you head upstream).
The Big Hill track starts with a steep uphill grunt (a bit scrubby in places). Follow the marker poles uphill bearing towards the south east as you get higher and follow the valley that leads to the saddle just below Big Hill. The total climb from Eight Mile Creek is 400m over about 2.4 kms.
The best bit of the run is now about to start! From here it's pretty much unbroken downhill on great single track all the way back to Arrowtown. Follow the track down for several kms until you reach the junction with Sawpit Gully Track. Turn right and keep heading downhill to the junction with Bush Creek Track. Turn left and follow the pipeline back out to where you started.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Lots of gold mining history and great views, especially on descent from Big Hill back to Arrowtown
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 15%
Moderate Single Track: 5%
Easy Single Track: 40%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 40%
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
Macetown
Length: 27.50km
Photos:
Your Trail Wishlist
All the runs that are on your To Do list (no limit).
Add to wishlist view wishlistWild Explorers
I did it!-
Access
Cark park beside river in Arrowtown
Heaps of parking although it can get full on busy days in peak season. I've never had any safety issues but keep valuables out of sight just in case.
1 km
3 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Moderate.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
Keep a sharp eye out for Eight Mile Creek and the marker poles that mark the bottom of Big Hill Track. These are not easily visible so careful navigation is required.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Compass, Map.
I wouldn't trust water from any of the main streams as there is stock grazing upstream. Water in the side stream half way up Big Hill Track (if flowing, can be dry in high summer) is OK. Take plenty of water with you.
Do not attempt after heavy rain as the Arrow River fords could be treacherous and the bypass routes could be washed out. Otherwise, so long as you are well prepared and kitted out for the conditions this is pretty much a year-round circuit.
-
Post run indulgence
Zuzu's Gelato
25 Buckingham Street
Great gelato!Provisions
Centennial Ave, Arrowtown
Great food, nice garden setting for a sunny dayThe Fork & Tap
51 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown
http://www.theforkandtap.co.nz
Good food, good craft beer selection, nice outside area -
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Sawpit Gully - German Hill
Mt Rosa Loop
Queenstown Trail Anticlockwise
Macetown
Bush Creek Banger and The Steiger!
New Chums Loop
Miners Trail
Brow Peak Mini Mission
Crown Peak Traverse
Lake Hayes Circuit
Beat Beetham
Coal Crown Arrowtown
Glenroy Water Race Track
Arrowtown Gold
Mt Sale via Crown Peak and Mt Scott
Advance Peak (via Big Hill inbound and Macetown Road outbound)
Coronet Loop
The Not WILD 50 Mile Course
The Not WILD 20 Mile Course
All The New Chums
Brow Peak and Big Hill
Mt Soho Marathon
Cardrona to Arrowtown
Hilly Delight
Fast and Flat in Arrowtown
Crown Peak and Mt Sale
The Beast of Beetham
