Little Criffel from the LarchesBeginner - Intermediate
Submitted by Isaac Walker
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushRiversideOpen farmlandsOpen tussock/grasslands
Beginner - Intermediate
4:00 (Slow)
3:00 (Moderate)
2:00 (Fast)
-12.1%
+12.1%
The track is closed for lambing from the 10th October to 10th November annually. You are also required to cross the Cardrona River and in times of high flows this maybe too dangerous.
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Description
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.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Great views over Wanaka. A great perspective of the Pisa Conservation Area and just how big it is.
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 10%
Easy Single Track: 10%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 80%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each
Little Criffle A to B
Length: 18.00km
Photos:
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Access
The Larches DOC carpark is around 9.5km from Wanaka in the Cardrona Valley. It is well signposted.
Plenty of parking in the carpark which is beside the main road.
8 km
6 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
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.
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Post run indulgence
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. - Blog Posts and Articles
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Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Motatapu River Track
Ironside Hill
Rock Peak Track
Deans Bank Loop
Minaret Burn Track (short)
Wanaka Skyline Trail
Fern Burn Hut
Rocky Diamond
Upper Clutha River Loop
Rob Roy Glacier Track
Motatapu Track - Full Monty
Wanaka LRMI (Lake, River, Mt. Iron)
Rock of Ages
Run Rabbit Run
Roy's Peak
Isthmus Peak
Luggate to Albert Town
Cardrona to Meg Hut
Jack Hall's Saddle
Mt Iron Loop
Liverpool Hut
Boundary Creek Track
Long Gully Loop
Hawea River Track
High on Hikuwai
French Ridge hut
Little Criffle A to B
Lindis Peak Track
Mt Pisa via Kirtle Burn Track
Butterfields Wetlands Loop
Matukituki Cascade Saddle Dart Epic
