Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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McIntosh - Judah Loop

Glenorchy, Otago

Submitted by Lauren Mai Anderson

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 40 ?

Gnarl Factor: 44 ?

19.0km

1635m

1635m

1464m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Very hilly

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

25%
75%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +17.0%

Average Downhill Gradient: -17.0%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

5:00

Slow

4:00

Moderate

3:00

Fast

From the car park head along the road toward Glenorchy for around 250m, cross over the bridge and look for footsteps up the bank on the right hand side of the road and find the official track signage, which isn’t viewable from the road.

Follow the water race, and cross a small stream then continue to follow the fence line up a very steep hill for around 2km (this climb will take the best part of an hour!)

Continue to follow the fence line and then head along the ridgeline. At the sign head up to McIntosh hut, then retrace your steps to the junction and head to McIntyre hut.

Continue down the hill to cross Buckler Burn (impassable after heavy rain) then back up the other side to meet the Judah track. If you still have it in your legs you can turn left and tack on the Heather Jock Loop (extra 5k and 500m vert) otherwise turn right and head back towards the carpark via the historical Smithy Hut, mine, and Scheelite Battery.

Track passes the Glenorchy Scheelite Battery and the State Mine, as well as a number of historical huts.

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.

Carpark at beginning of trail for approximately 20 vehicles.

3 km

3 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Easy to follow, just keep your eyes on the orange triangles.

Generally good.

Lightweight fleece top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Water available at both McIntosh and McIntyre hut and also from the Buckler Burn river crossing.

Buckler Burn river can be impassable after heavy rain. Can be boggy in patches depending on the weather.

River crossing at around the halfway point that may become impassable after heavy rain

Mrs Wooleys
Glenorchy
https://mrswoollysgeneralstore.nz/
The perfect pie after a hard few hours in the hills!

Trail Legend

Brad  Rivers

Brad Rivers

has completed McIntosh - Judah Loop once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Great loop. We did it anti-clockwise & threw in an ascent of Mt McIntosh for good measure. Lovely mix of bush & open country with fantastic views. The northern side of the loop is steep - if you prefer steep ups to steep downs then stick with the described clockwise direction.

Malcolm Law

May 30, 2022

Start just before the bridge on a overgrown track. very steep going up but amazing ridge once by anthenas. sweet downhill with switch backs. Buckler burn can be very dodgy to cross on rain or snow melt.

Daniel Nogueira

February 11, 2022

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