Upper Clutha River LoopBeginner

Description

From the car park follow the gravelled trail towards the river. Soon you'll turn left and run parallel with the river (upstream). Continue on the grass strip alongside the road until you come to the main road (SH6)

Cross to the far side of the main road and run across the bridge on the wooden walkway. On the far side, re-cross the road and turn right on to the 4WD track through Albert Town Recreation Reserve, signposted to Hawea River Track. After about 1.5k you'll reach the camp ground where you bear right on the 4WD track and cut across the campground to the swing-bridge.

Cross the bridge (taking time to appreciate the clarity of the water and the views beyond). Almost immediately you turn right on to Newcastle Track. In another 600m you'll reach a junction with Butterfield Wetland Walk - continue straight on here following the signs to Kane Rd car park (11.5k away)

The route is now a mix of flat and gently undulating trail alongside and a little above the Clutha River, which you follow all the way to the Kane Rd car park, by which time you'll have covered 15k. Go straight through the car park and turn right on to the main road for a fast 1k downhill to the iconic Red Bridge. Cross this with care (it's narrow and not all cars are considerate of runners) and head up the far side a few hundred metres to the junction with Shortcut Rd.

At this junction head right on a gravel track, signposted to Shortcut Road car park and Albert Town. Once again, go straight through the car park (good info signs here) and follow the trail upstream through Reko's Point Conservation Area.

Pretty soon you'll start to realise that this side of the river is going to hurt your tired legs a little more than the other side. You're trending uphill and the undulations are a bit more significant, but all the way the views of the river and the mountains beyond are awesome.

Stay on the river trail for about 12k until you come to Pawson's Crossing - a footbridge across the Cardrona River just above where it joins the Clutha. After crossing, follow the trail to the right and run the last few hundred metres back to your car.

Features of interest

Glorious riverside running, the Hawea swing bridge and the 100-year old 'Red Bridge' that crosses the Clutha half way through the run (it's a road bridge but pretty cool and iconic nonetheless)

Make Up of Run

Easy Single Track: 85%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%

Sealed Road: 5%

Route Data