Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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Lankeys Creek Loop

Reefton, West Coast

Submitted by Isaac Burwell

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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Grunt Factor: 12 ?

Gnarl Factor: 24 ?

8.5km

440m

440m

455m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Run Makeup

30%
55%
15%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +13.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -13.4%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:30

Slow

1:00

Moderate

0:45

Fast

Leaving the Murray Creek carpark in Blacks Point, the first 2.7km is run along SH7 heading east, towards Christchurch. SH7 is not particularly busy, but it has small shoulders, so caution needs to be used. There is one corner to be particularly careful of - Crushington Corner which has armco along the side you'll be running on. I would recommend running on the outside of the armco in this section. It will be slower and more awkward, but will ensure you're not run over by any cars or trucks that come around the corner unsighted.
The beginning of Lankeys Creek track proper starts just after the Lankey Creek carpark, with its memorial commemorating Jack Lovelock, who was born in Crushington. Cross Lankeys Creek and pass through the gate and onto the track. The track initially runs through farmland for a short distance before entering the bush. The gradient is very gentle initially before crossing the 3rd bridge on the track where it begins to climb more steeply. The track then begins to climb very steeply, with multiple sections of steps until a track junction is reached after ~4.1km. The main track heads off to the left, but a detour a few hundred metres to the right leads you to the Bolitho Mine, with its very spectacular mine entrance.
Returning to the main track, the track climbs a bit more across some bluffs with some more steps for a few more hundred metres before reaching the tram track which signals a much flatter gradient. The track follows this tram track which gives some excellent views of the Inangahua River to just before the Energetic Gold Mine. The track is mostly flat in this section, but there are a few climbs where the track deviates from the tram track before re-joining it.
After ~6.2km the end of the tram track section is reached, and you have a short sharp climb before a very steep and slippery descent to the Energetic Mine. This steep descent is 90% steps and can be very slippery in wet conditions. Upon reaching Energetic Mine, the track heads off to the left and follows another wide tram track before a junction with the Murray Creek track is reached after ~6.8km. Turn left, across the swing bridge and descend back to the Murray Creek carpark.

mine workings, tramways, fossils

Ample carparking, but no public transport.

3 km

5 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Generally good.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone.

Because of the number of old mine workings present in this area I personally wouldn't drink from any stream sources. No other water sources available.

There are several sections with steps which can become very slippery in wet weather, particularly the drop down to the Energetic Mine.

Several old mine workings are encountered - the Bolitho Mine entrance and the Energetic Mine shaft are the two major ones. The shaft is fenced off and the mine entrance has signs prohibiting entry.
Running on the main road (SH6) for the first 2.7km requires caution as noted in the description.

Broadway Tearooms & Bakery
31 Broadway, Reefton
Decent cafe fare

Nana Ni's
59 Broadway, Reefton
Very good pies.

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Trail Reviews

Just stunning. The perfect little forest run with so many cute features. However 6am seems to be peak local traffic on the road section so recommend you sleep in! :-)

Mike McManaway

December 8, 2021

This is such a neat little run - the old mining works are really cool (must take a torch next time, loads of tunnels) and the beech forest is stunning. I just ran it in daylight for the first time after a couple of winter ones in the dark - awesome. The high level tram track bit through the middle is just idyllic running!

Katie Smith

November 23, 2017

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