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St James Cycle Trail © Canterbury ST JAMES CYCLE TRAIL Christchurch Tourism MALING ST JAMES CAR PASS PARK HOMESTEAD 1-2 DAYS 64km ST JAMES Trail Info Cycle Trail 1-2 Days The fi rst of the Great Rides to open, this fantastic The St James Cycle Trail is an 64km trail passes through the iconic St James Station, enthralling and challenging journey through some of New Zealand’s most near the alpine spa village of Hanmer Springs. spectacular and historic high country – a true mountain-biking experience to be TRAIL GRADES: proud of, and one you will never forget! stablished in 1862, the peaks, crystal clear rivers, high country MALING PASS CAR PARK TO St James Station was one lakes, alpine meadows, sub-alpine In early 2013 a new family-friendly ride WAIAU 4WD ROAD END - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) of the largest cattle and beech forest and expansive grassy river called the Homestead Run was opened. WAIAU 4WD ROAD END TO E This 15km loop starts from the end of sheep farms in New Zealand, before fl ats. SADDLE SPUR BRIDGE being purchased by the New Zealand the St James Cycle Trail at St James In spring the alpine meadows are in full - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) Government in 2008 to form the Homestead and is a great option for bloom, while from summer through to SADDLE SPUR BRIDGE TO St James Conservation Area. families or riders who don’t have enough mid-autumn riders can experience rich SCOTTIES HUT time to attempt the full trail. - GRADE 4 (ADVANCED) The 64km trail offers a mix of riding contrasting colours on long evenings, BELOW RIGHT: Forest track at Hanmer Springs SCOTTIES HUT TO ST JAMES grades through stunning and diverse with the chance to see the famous St BELOW LEFT: Relaxing at Hanmer Springs HOMESTEAD - GRADE 2-3 (EASY scenery, including soaring mountain James wild horses. Thermal Pools & Spa BOTH © Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa TO INTERMEDIATE) LOOK OUT FOR... HOMESTEAD RUN - GRADE 1 (EASIEST) Thermal Pools Forest walks & rides MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: There Relax, unwind and indulge at the retreat, and you can ‘take the waters’ in Hanmer Springs village is linked to an is no mobile phone coverage multiple award-winning Hanmer this alpine environment year round. extensive network of walking and biking beyond Jacks Pass. Springs Thermal Discover the healing qualities of the tracks in the nearby Hanmer Heritage DRINKING WATER: Accessible at Pools and Spa. open-air thermal pools, sulphur pools, Forest, an old many points along the trail, but we You will have or relax in your own private pool. There experimental forest recommend you boil, fi lter or treat to travel a long are three AquaTherapy pools, a heated containing a mix of way to match the freshwater lap pool with LazyRiver, an exotic tree species your water. Avoid taking water from experience of this AquaPlay area (for children under 10 with some more the lakes due to the waterfowl. outdoor thermal years old) and a SuperBowl waterslide. than 100 years old. 101 Maling Pass Waiau 4WD Saddle Spur Bridge Scotties St James ST JAMES CYCLE TRAIL car park Road End Camp Hut Homestead “This is a real tourism 12km 15.5km 14.5km 17km asset and I have no doubt it will draw thousands of cyclists a year. The Lake landscape is stunning.” Tennyson Waiau River MAP LEGEND Former Minister of Conservation, Maling Kate Wilkinson Pass open section WAIAU 4WD 1308m MALING PASS effort. The trail then follows old stock ROAD END CAR PARK optional route and farm tracks that meander down the start / fi nish point Clarence River Waiau Valley over the grassy river fl ats, passing by Little Lake and Muddy Lakes Tophouse Road point of interest before arriving at the spectacular bridge Saddle Spur Bridge. town e Saddle Spur Bridge to Ada Lake Guyon Hut g café/restaurant River n Scotties Hut, 14.5km a toilets This is the most challenging section on Lake R camping the trail, with rocky and uneven parts Guyon s e Fowlers Hut and hard climbs, tricky descents and shelter m a giant matagouri forest to negotiate. a hut Once over Saddle Spur Bridge, the Henry J River t S carpark trail climbs over the demanding Saddle Spur to reach Pool Hut. The trail accommodation Stanley River then crosses the McArthur Bridge 1 state highway before climbing steeply to Charlie’s SADDLE SPUR BRIDGE Saddle Saddle. After a winding descent, Spur Waiau River Clarence River the trail crosses the Edwards River 865m Bridge to arrive at Scotties Hut. Note: Pool Hut sections of the trail after Saddle Spur bridge Homestead Run and after McArthur Bridge are very Edwards River Cow Stream narrow and pass steep drop-offs. We Hot Spring recommended you walk these sections. Peters Valley Scotties Hut to St James Jones bridge Homestead, 17km Stream ST JAMES HOMESTEAD Follow the 4WD track up the Edwards SCOTTIES HUT Valley. The trail is mostly easy going, Charlies Saddle Tophouse Road interrupted by short stretches of rocky 754m riverbed and unbridged streams. The Jacks Pass climb up to Peters Pass is the last big effort on the trail – here the trail leaves nge the 4WD track, taking an easy downhill er Ra nm run through the beautiful Peters Valley Ha to the St James Homestead and the end of the trail. At the homestead there are numerous protected historic farm HANMER SPRINGS buildings dating back to the 1880s that give a glimpse into the past glories of this high country station. The woolshed © AA Traveller 2015 in particular deserves exploring. RIDING THE TRAIL Homestead Run, 15km From the St James Homestead, ride Maling Car Park to Waiau crossing bubbling streams along the way. Waiau 4WD Road End to up the beautiful Peters Valley to 4WD Road End, 12km Once on the valley fl oor the trail levels out Saddle Spur Bridge, 15.5km Peters Pass where a great picnic spot From the car park, the trail follows the 4WD and follows the ºtrue-left of the river to the The fi rst third of this section is a purpose- overlooks Waterfall Stream. Follow the track. Gently gaining altitude at fi rst, the road end. built cycle track. From the road end, the trail until it intersects with the Edwards trail soon steadily climbs towards Maling Note: The descent from Maling Pass is trail traverses the hillside on the left of the Valley 4WD track. Head east (right) Pass, the high point of the trail (1308m). steep and the surface loose – control Waiau River, before emerging onto the down the 4WD track to connect with From the pass, the trail descends steeply your speed and take special care when wide river terraces at the junction with the Tophouse Rd, then ride 3km down through alpine meadows and mountain negotiating the numerous drainage ditches Lake Guyon track. The 10min detour to this valley to the homestead. beech forest into the Waiau Valley, that cross the track. picturesque lake is well worth the time and 102 things to do... ST JAMES CYCLE TRAIL A mix of diverse alpine scenery and interesting natural features will delight you alongside this incredibly View down Maruia River scenic trail. valley near Springs Junction Lewis Pass ALONGSIDE Lewis Pass crosses the main divide at a height of 864m alongside a THE TRAIL series of rivers. Many walkways begin at the edge of the road, and there are natural hot springs at Much of the trail is accompanied by Hanmer and Maruia. the picturesque Waiau River, which has many great fi shing spots as well as interesting fl ora and fauna on its banks. About halfway along the second section of trail on the opposite side of the river, the shelterbelts of the isolated Ada Homestead are visible. Farmed from 1862, this is also the home of the Lake Tennyson © Alpine Pacifi c Tourism St James wild horses, famous throughout New Zealand and sought Lake Tennyson after by recreational riders for their steady and sturdy nature. Lake Tennyson is an isolated Along the fourth section of the trail, the and beautiful glacial lake in the 1km side-track to Cow Stream hot pool headwaters of the Clarence River. is worth it to ease aching muscles before Waiau River the last climb of the trail. 103 ST JAMES CYCLE TRAIL Conical Hill summit © Pat Barrett Switch the bike for your walking shoes in Hanmer Springs. There are plenty of walking tracks that take advantage of the impressive scenery. TIME ON interest include ponds and their Forest Journey (1.5 hours return): aquatic life, wetland and a stream. See pines, poplar and larch on this route, plus foot bridges and a cottage. YOUR SIDE Conical Hill Walk (1 hour return): Note the exotic plants as you climb Waterfall Track (2.5 hours return): to the 550m summit of Conical Hill. Pass through beech forest on the Woodland Walk (1 hour return): The lookout at the summit offers good way to the 41m-high Dog Stream As well as exotic trees, points of shelter to view the Hanmer Basin. Waterfall. 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