Coal Crown ArrowtownBeginner - Intermediate

Description

Starting at the Coal Creek fence stile - 9km from Cardrona township on the right-hand side - cross the stile and start heading up the overgrown 4wd track. There will be no markers for a few kms and it's a grunty little start. Follow the 4wd track until it basically ends and you see an orange pole. From here you veer left and start heading towards the main ridge above you.

The poles are there as a guide but I found it easier to find my own route near the poles - the poles are there basically for direction and there is lots of growth. Be wary of all the rosehip! Ouch. Follow the poled route up over and through all the slippery head high tussock, this is the steepest part of the climb. You will head up a ridge that connects with the main ridge, where you start to see some views down towards the Crown Range carpark. Follow the poles and signs, you will veer right and the main ridge will take you to the summit of Crown Peak. Good spot here or on top of the rocks to the right for a little break before descending - it's a long descent so enjoy the break.

Follow the signs in the little saddle just after the trig point for Crown Peak and turn left down the well formed track. This is now almost downhill for 12km or so. You will zig zag your way down to a little valley, follow the signs to Glencoe Station around the back of Mt Beetham. From here you will start having a few choices of trails to take down to Arrowtown. I chose the Tobins track route as it was the quickest and I was short on time. Follow the signs carefully and tracks as quite a few are overgrown heading over to connect with Tobins. The trail finishes at the back of Arrowtown at the Tobins Track bridge or if you are warm - swim in the river. 

Features of interest

Brilliant 360 degree views once on the ridge towards Crown Peak.

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 20%

Technical Single Track: 10%

Moderate Single Track: 20%

Easy Single Track: 30%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 20%

Route Data