Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Blood Sucking Leitch's
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 22 ?
Gnarl Factor: 36 ?
20.0km
460m
460m
500m
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Open
Grunt Factor: 22 ?
Gnarl Factor: 36 ?
20.0km
460m
460m
500m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
With permit
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +24.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -24.1%
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4:00
Slow
3:00
Moderate
2:15
Fast
The route is very straightforward, following a marked single track all the way. You follow the trail gradually uphill for about the first third of the route out, starting out with the bush alongside farmland but soon completely in bush above a river valley.
There are the odd very short technical elements but mostly this is runnable as you wind around the hillsides. Eventually, you start dropping, although it's one of those trails that rolls up and down slightly the whole way even as you climb or descend.
You'll come out into a wide-open grassland valley amongst the hills and bush. Take a sharp left at this point, there is a sign indicating Leitch's hut.
From this point the trail is slightly less defined in places simply because the growth is more open but you still have a well-marked and easy-to-follow trail that will lead you to Leitch's Hut. This is your turn-around point and you return as you came.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
The road ends on a small open area at the top of rise and there is parking space around the edge of the circle.
23 km
38 minutes
With Permit
No
Easy.
When you come out of the bush into the valley there is a section of old farm fencing and a sign hard left for Leitch's Hut, take this turn rather than proceed ahead. Although really this route is very straight forward.
Non-existent.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
There is water available at the hut, or from the river prior to the hut.
None
None
Fat Pigeon Cafe
41 Moa Street, Piopio
https://www.facebook.com/Fat-Pigeon-Cafe-151867164830075/
There is not a great deal else around for miles - although this place is a really well set out cafe with a variety of food options and good service in a comfortable environment.
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A great option on a hot summer day with lots of bush cover. Very runnable with gentle gradients on a nice wide track.
December 30, 2022
I would have named it Blood sucking wop wops, it's pretty out there.
Track is easy and undulating. Good for a short fast blast.
Could be good to use the hut as a base and run the more rugged trails leading away from the hut
September 3, 2022
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