Serpentine Hackett LoopBeginner - Intermediate
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestRiverside
Beginner - Intermediate
3:15 (Slow)
2:30 (Moderate)
1:40 (Fast)
-6.9%
+6.7%
The area is part of a pine forest, so check with Tasman council website for closures.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
Starting at the Hackett carpark, run out and turn left (back the way you drove in). Follow the road back until you reach Serpentine River Road on your left (it's also a very obvious bridge). Cross the bridge and keep left, you're now on Serpentine River Road. Stay to this 4x4 road and you'll have a couple of small streams to cross before an undulating climb through mostly pine forest. Near the top, you'll come to two signs. Left is Clover Road, right is Serpentine Road. TURN LEFT onto Clover Road and continue uphill for the final push.
Now you're at the top, they'll be a skid site. Just follow the 4x4 road down, down and down some more - if in doubt, yes, go down! You'll exit the pine forest onto the Hackett Track. Turning right takes you south towards the Hackett Hut, left will take you back to your car (about 5km).
Trail Community
Features of interest
The loop run can incorporate the Chromite Mines, accessed off of the Hackett Track on the way back, or via the 4x4 road on the uphill section. However, this is quite steep and becomes more of a tramping track in places.
Make Up of Run
Moderate Single Track: 50%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 50%
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
Photos:
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I did it!-
Access
Drive along SH 6 between Richmond and Brightwater, turning off onto Aniseed Valley Road. Follow this road south for 11.5 km from SH6. As you near the start point (Hackett carpark) the windy sealed road will become gravel, it's ok, keep going. You'll come across a very clear DoC sign on the right which is where the carpark is located.
Parking is free and there are always spaces. It's safe, but still, lock your car. There is also changing rooms, long-drop toilets and a swimming hole at the carpark for when you finish your run! :)
16 km
23 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Moderate.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
Patchy.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
There are streams on the uphill, however, due to it being a logging forest, I wouldn't drink it.
On the Hackett side, however, I have happily drunk from the river - just be careful as it's powerful in places.Forestry work. Check here for track closures: http://www.nelson.govt.nz/recreation/recreation/parks-and-reserves/track-closures/
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Post run indulgence
Carpark Swimming Hole
Where you parked up
Fresh, clean water to swim in, a bridge or rocks to jump off and just bloody good fun! -
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