Last Updated: 14th Oct 2023

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Mt Soho Marathon

Arrowtown, Otago

Submitted by Rob Bathgate

Last Updated: 14th Oct 2023

Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

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Notice More info

Grunt Factor: 97 ?

Gnarl Factor: 53 ?

43.0km

Length of run

3200m

Total Ascent

3200m

Total Descent

1752m

Highest point

Driving Time

Driving Distance

Directions to start

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Loop

Mountainous

Native bush

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

10%

20%

50%

20%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +14.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -14.9%

Trailhead

Estimated Times to Run

Not suitable

Slow

8:00

Moderate

6:00

Fast

GPX File

Topo Map

3D Satellite

Guide

This includes a chunk of The WILD 100 mile course including one of the crux sections – the traverse of Mt Soho. For aspiring milers this will give you a great taste of what it’s like in this backcountry.

Most suitable for:
Very experienced mountain runners who are comfortable on technical terrain, exposed mountain ridges and easy scrambles. Very good fitness required.

Peaks to be bagged:
Mt Soho (1752m)

Navigation:
Reasonably straightforward in clear visibility but very tricky if the cloud is down over Mt Soho. This is definitely a fair-weather run. Also note that this includes a section following the Arrow River – the route is only vaguely marked with poles and involves a fair bit of stream bashing. Finding the optimal line is never easy. But there is a high-level alternative route too (marked on topo maps), which would be advisable if the river is up.

Trail Conditions
Everything from 4WD track and easy/moderate single track through to very steep off-track travel with no route markings. The traverse of Soho is very slow going and the descent includes a couple of moderate downclimbs/scrambles

This trail includes the peak Mount Soho .

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

Transport and parking:

Plenty of parking.

Distance from Arrowtown:

0 km

Driving time from Arrowtown:

0 minutes

Dog friendly:

Unknown

Landowner permission required:

Navigation Rating:

Hard.

Navigation Tips:

Reasonably straightforward in clear visibility but very tricky if the cloud is down over Mt Soho. This is definitely a fair-weather run.
Also note that this includes a section following the Arrow River – the route is only vaguely marked with poles and involves a fair bit of stream bashing. Finding the optimal line is never easy. But there is a high-level alternative route too (marked on topo maps), which would be advisable if the river is up.

Cellphone Coverage:

Unknown.

Suggested Gear List:

Thermal leggings, 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 bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map

Availability of Water:

Fill up with at least 2L at Soho Creek before starting the Soho traverse. The next water is many hours away in the Arrow River. You can also fill up from streams on the descent from Big Hill saddle towards the end of the run.

Seasonality Issues:

Trail Legend

Gavin Sinclair

has completed Mt Soho Marathon once in the last year.

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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)

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