Last Updated: 6th Jan 2025
Greenstone/Caples
Last Updated: 6th Jan 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 86 ?
Gnarl Factor: 41 ?
61.0km
1700m
1700m
996m
Last Updated: 6th Jan 2025
Last Updated: 6th Jan 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 86 ?
Gnarl Factor: 41 ?
61.0km
1700m
1700m
996m
Back country - remote
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +6.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -6.7%
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11:00
Slow
9:00
Moderate
7:00
Fast
Follow the obvious marked route from the car park. At the first swingbridge, you will need to cross through two gates and head up the hill. At the next big swingbridge (confluence of Greenstone and Caples rivers) you have a choice of heading up the Caples first (stay on the true left of the river) or the Greenstone (cross the bridge and follow the marker poles). The recommended route is Caples first as the climb to McKellar saddle is less daunting from this side. Either way, the track is well marked with poles and orange triangles.
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.
DOC car park at the end of the road has toilets and running water (Summer only). Public transport is available from Queenstown and Glenorchy, but is of no use if you want to run the track as it operates on a limited timetable.
35 km
69 minutes
No
No
Easy.
The track is mostly very obvious.
Non-existent.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Short-sleeved thermal top, 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, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions)
There are numerous small creeks along the way. Water is never an issue on this track, as long as your comfortable drinking from mountain streams.
The Greenstone is boggy at the best of times. Expect to get wet feet! The crossing of the McKellar Saddle can be difficult in Winter, and cold at any time of the year.
Both tracks are susceptible to tree falls and can be dangerous in very windy conditions, and slow going after storms!
Kinloch Lodge
Kinloch
http://www.kinlochlodge.co.nz
Great selection of bottle beer (considering the remoteness!). Friendly atmosphere and cosy accommodation options.
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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As there had been a lot of rain overnight, the grassy areas were running with new streams which made it quite swampy but otherwise most of it was runnable. We stayed in Slip Flat hut so had a 8km head start then completed the 52kms on the second day with a light pack.
January 3, 2024
Awesome loop. Very runnable but reasonably techy underfoot with tree roots and rocks. Be prepared for wet feet depending on the time of year you do it. The vert is minimal and high point is under 1000m. Once you get up near the saddle some huge peaks pop up above you - awesome scenery. Easy to follow track and well marked with a number of doc signs and each intersection.
September 20, 2020
A nice variation on the finish is to pop out via Lake Rere. Lots of history here in terms of old school tourists who used to daytrip in many moons ago from Kinloch
August 19, 2019
Really runnable trail, perfect for an overnight at McKellar, then over to Caples the next day!
February 1, 2019
These overlap with this trail 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 activity for each.
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