Catlins River TrackBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Kieran Philip
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestRiverside
Beginner - Intermediate
3:30 (Slow)
2:40 (Moderate)
1:45 (Fast)
-5.2%
+5.2%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Please set your gender to see your position on the FKT leaderboards.
Men
Women
Filter FKTs
The more , the harder the FKT will be to beat. Learn about Fastest Known Times.
Description
Starting at the Tawanui Campsite, follow the grass track from the signpost and head up river. The track is pretty straightforward, some nice single track with very few deviations from it. Where there are deviations, there are signposts pointing the way. Other times, there are triangle markers placed on various trees in case you need them.
The track heads up the river, sticking close mostly, but with a few excursions over smalls hills which take you away from the river for a bit. There are four nice single person swing bridges to head over on your way up the track. After the last swing bridge on the way out, the bush changes to forestry for a while as you near The Wisp area. Here there is a small camping area with table, toilet and a good place to be picked up if you don't fee like the double back. If you want the whole hog, turn back around and head home the way you came (there is also a signposted route up through the forestry roads via Rocky Knoll if you want something different).
Trail Community
Features of interest
Swing bridges to cross are always fun, mossy covered trails, native bush.
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 10%
Moderate Single Track: 50%
Easy Single Track: 40%
Route Data
Reviews:
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
The start is located in the Tawanui Campsite in the Catlins Valley. It is well signposted from the Papatowai Highway (Southern Scenic Route).
Lots of parking. Is rural and lots of campers around, so keep valuables hidden.
48 km
44 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Moderate.
Non-existent.
Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map.
Small streams/river, but you'd want to treat it before drinking.
Very wet when its raining and muddy underfoot.
Normal footing hazards, swing bridges (a friend from school slipped and got herself impaled many years ago, had to be removed by paramedics).
-
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Tautuku Tiki Tour
Sandhills, Cannibals & Sea-Lions
Pretty Papatowai
Balclutha River Loop
The Tautuku Tiptoe
