Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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The Trip to Galway Bay

Fox Glacier, West Coast

Submitted by Mike Tennent

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 23 ?

Gnarl Factor: 32 ?

12.0km

235m

235m

63m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Out and Back

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Riverside

Lakeside

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

57%
25%
5%
13%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +2.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -2.7%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:30

Slow

1:45

Moderate

1:15

Fast

From the carpark, take the trail to the left of the toilet block signed to the Dredge. Follow the grass track and you will soon come to the dredge. Take the time to explore a bit here, then carry on the main trail and you will very quickly come out onto the beach.

Head right along the beach until you reach a river and follow the beach around the corner where you will see a sign to your right for the trail to the bridge. This is a great spot for pics with the bridge and the Alps in the background. If you get a very calm day you can get a magic reflection. From there it is plain fun running trail. There is a short excursion to the left to check the Miners Tunnel... make sure you do this as it's part of the course. Eventually after some undulating coastal running and a few swampy boggy bits you will come to the downhill into Galway Bay. At the very end is a cool ladder down to beach level. Explore a bit, although be careful if the seals are around.

To return re-trace your steps.

Great views of Mount Cook and the Alps on a clear day, cool old gold dredge, a miners tunnel (torch not needed) and a seal colony in winter at Galway Bay.

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.

Excellent carpark with toilets at the end

20 km

34 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Non-existent.

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

Take your own

The last few kms before Galway Bay had some short (5 to 15m) swampy bits... these could get larger in winter.

Nothing major, care required at a small stream crossing and the beach is very stony.

Trail Legend

Brook van Reenen

Brook van Reenen

has completed The Trip to Galway Bay once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Lots of variety on this track with a bit of bush, beach, a lagoon, a tunnel and of course the mighty Southern Alps rising above the beautiful native bush. I did this as a walk but it would be very runnable.

Tom Brennan

June 17, 2023

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