Blowhard Track
Located in Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area in the Canterbury region
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Introduction
You can walk or mountain bike up to Mt Richardson Trig on this track.9. 5 km one way
Mountain biking
Advanced: Grade 4Dog access
The lower portion of this track climbs a wind-swept ridge through tall open forest and emerges through stunted tawhai onto open grasslands. Skeleton tree trunks along the top ridge are a legacy of wildfire which swept up the Lees Valley in 1980.
This track can be combined with Richardson Track to climb up to Mt Richardson from different road ends. Both tracks can be combined with the Bypass Track to make a circuit.
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Mountain biking
It's a challenging ascent once you enter the forest. The track is steep and rough in places and bikes may need to be carried at times. It then flattens out as you follow the ridgeline to the trig at the summit of Mt Richardson. Return the same way.
It is a 3 hr trip uphill.
Mountain biking is not permitted on Richardson or Bypass Tracks.
Blowhard Track is accessed from Maori Reserve Road.
From Oxford, follow Ashley Gorge Road for 16 km, then turn into Maori Reserve Road and follow this for 4 km to the end.
NZTopo50 map sheets: BW22 (Oxford), BW23 (Cust)
Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light-coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.
Stay safe in the outdoors
- Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
- Understand the weather. Check weather forecasts.
- Pack warm clothes and extra food. Check gear lists.
- Share your plans and take ways to get help. Share directly or use the Outdoor Intentions form or Plan My Walk. Take a distress beacon.
- Take care of yourself and each other.
Contacts
| Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 318 9211 |
| arthurspassvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | 104 West Coast Road Arthur's Pass 7654 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |