Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Little Criffel from the Larches
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 30
Gnarl Factor: 22
19.0km
1165m
1165m
1350m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 30
Gnarl Factor: 22
19.0km
1165m
1165m
1350m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Riverside
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.1%
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4:00
Slow
3:00
Moderate
2:00
Fast
From the Larches carpark cross the stile and follow the orange poles. You will follow the main road for half a km or so then make a left turn towards the river. When approaching the river I simply found the best route across - poles are handy when crossing. Aim for the small valley and you should see another stile and DOC triangles. Follow the triangles and poles and signage all the way to the trig point at the top of Little Criffel. You will cross through a transition of kanuka, matagouri and broom into open tussock on the top of the Pisa Conservation Area. On a clear day you will get amazing views down to Wanaka and through to the Southern Alps.
Return the same way.
Great views over Wanaka. A great perspective of the Pisa Conservation Area and just how big it is.
Plenty of parking in the carpark which is beside the main road.
8 km
6 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Keep your eyes up after the river crossing and make sure you spot the DOC signage. There is one turn halfway up the ascent where it looks as though you could go right - keep to the grassy 4wd track and follow it around up to the left.
Generally good.
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 blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions).
No water at all really - unless streams are running after a good rain. Take all water to be safe.
Snow and ice will be present during winter and the tops may be difficult to traverse. Snow shoes maybe? After heavy rain the Cardrona River will also be too dangerous to cross.
The odd wild pig.
Urban Grind
Wanaka, Ardmore St
http://www.urbangrind.co.nz/
Great tapas style food, good beer and coffee.
Cardrona Hotel
Cardrona Valley
http://www.cardronahotel.co.nz/
Simply a classic.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Little Criffel from the Larches
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A very cool trail that is under-utilised compared to the more popular trails in the area. Be careful to look out for the doc markers at the start of the trail until you cross the river, then the trail is pretty easy to spot from there. Great views of Wanaka from the top!
May 15, 2020
Great views from the top... but highly recommended to wear leg protection of some description, it's rather thorny on the way up and hard to fully dodge them on the track up.
April 23, 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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