Arrowtown is a spectacular playground for trail runners – we’re surrounded by scenery that will take your breath away.
This gorgeous landscape of mountains, lakes, rivers and forests is crisscrossed by tracks and trails that are perfect for a sedate jog beside the Arrow River through short and sharp hill runs to all-day mountain hit outs. Of course if you can run a track you can walk it too, so look no further for easy strolls, walks to lookouts, and genuine hiking peaks too.
Here are five of our top Arrowtown trail runs for all fitness and experience levels. This is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the trail running opportunities that surround Arrowtown, there are many other options including Big Hill, Brow Peak and even the famous Motatapu Trail (if you fancy a 52km run to Glendhu Bay near Wānaka).
Check out our Walking & Hiking page for more trail inspiration or view the trail network here.
Arrow River Loop
Easy, 4km, 30–45 minutes
This is an awesome easy run if you’re looking for a way to blow off steam for half an hour or so. Head down to the bridge at the base of Tobins Track and run downriver until you hit the next bridge (near the bottom of Jopp Street). After that, it’s simply a matter of crossing the river and running back up the other side until you hit the Tobins bridge again.
Tobins Track
Easy/moderate, 6km, 50–75 minutes
An Arrowtown classic originally built by Thomas Tobin as road access to Wānaka, Tobins Track is now a popular walking, running and cycling track (4WDs also use this track from time to time). Climbing above Arrowtown, the track is generally regarded as a bit of a slog on the way up, but a great return on investment with amazing views of the Whakatipu Basin at the top. For those looking to stretch this out a bit, you can head down the steep Tobins Drop and run back along the river track.
New Chum Track
Moderate, 7km, 55–80 minutes
A good technical loop with a couple of solid climbs and some great variation in terrain, New Chum is an Arrowtown trail-running staple. Head up Tobins Track until you hit the turnoff on your left and then follow your nose (and the trail markers). You’ll run the ridgeline of Glencoe Station before descending into gullies and streams. The exit point is by the Norman Smith Bridge on the Macetown trail and from there it’s down the river until you get back to town.
Sawpit Gully
Moderate/advanced, 7km, 50–90 minutes
Of course I may be biased, but you’ll be hard placed to find a better 7km loop in New Zealand than Sawpit Gully. It’s an absolute classic. There is heated debate about whether the loop should be done clockwise or anti-clockwise. I start from the carpark near the Chinese Settlement and take the Arrow River Trail upriver. This follows the river to a signposted turn off to Sawpit Gully. The track then climbs steeply up to Eichardts Flat then drops steeply down to Bush Creek. A great combination of ferocious ups, technical descents and rock hopping through a creek bed, this run is a local favourite.
Miners Trail
Moderate/advanced, 15km, 2–3hrs
Perfect for those looking to stretch their legs and add a bit more vert to their runs, Miners Trail is a mountain run with varied terrain underfoot including farm track, backcountry single track and short sections of steep ascent/descent. The trail forms a loop, starting up Tobins Track and onto the Crown Terrace before heading into Glencoe Station. The route then continues up the tussocky hillside to a high point at 1047m and a breathtaking view of the Wakatipu basin. The trail narrows to single track as it cuts across the top of the mountain heading towards the big descent to the Arrow River, which you follow to get you home.
From left to right: Tobins Track, New Chum Trail, Miners Trail.
The above information was provided by Jimmy Sygrove, APBA Board Member and avid Arrowtown runner.
Author: APBA
