Pinchgut Track
Located in Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area in the Canterbury region
Introduction
Follow the Okuku River to Pinchgut Hut.Dog access
From the parking area, walk along the gravel road for a further 300 m then take a track that drops down to the Okuku River. Cross the river, picking up a marked track leading to a clearing. Turn right and follow another short section of marked track. Turn right onto a vehicle track, following it for 400 m, then left onto a benched track above Okuku River. Along this section you pass through an impressive stand of kānuka. Two large land slips are bypassed by walking along the edge of the river. Beyond Whare Stream the track climbs steeply, then sidles along the hillside to Pinchgut Hut.
From Pinchgut Hut, it's 3 hours to Bob's Camp Biv via Cattle Peak Route, and 2 hours 30 minutes to the junction with Bob's Camp Bivouac Route via Whare Ridge Route.
From Loburn, follow the Loburn - Whiterock Road for 13 km. Turn into Taaffes Glen Road and follow this until you reach Round Hill Stream where there is a small parking area.
NZTopo50 map sheet: BW23 (Cust)
Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light-coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.
Okuku River may not be passable in high flows.
Crossing rivers: If you plan to cross an unbridged river, you must know how to identify an unsafe river, and where and how to cross safely. You should also be prepared for being unable to cross.
If the river is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe, do not try to cross. Turn back or wait for the river to drop - this often takes a few hours after rain, so be ready and pack emergency shelter and extra food.
A river is unsafe if there is:
- discoloured water
- debris in the water (such as branches)
- water flowing faster than walking pace
- movement of rocks in the water you can hear
Learn more about river safety on the NZ Mountain Safety Council website.
Your safety is your responsibility
- Take the right gear to keep yourself safe on your tramp.
- Tell someone your plans using the Outdoors Intentions form including when to raise the alarm if you haven't returned.
- Follow the five essential steps of the Safety Code.
Contacts
| Rangiora Office | |
| Phone: | +64 3 313 0820 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | esienquiries@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
32 River Road Rangiora 7400 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 349 Rangiora 7440 |
| Full office details | |