On-leadHard
Mount Richardson, Blowhard, and Bypass Tracks Loop
Glentui · Canterbury · Loop
↑ 733 m gain↓ 733 m descenthigh 1044 msteepest 44 %
DISTANCE11.9 km
ASCENT733 m
DURATION5–5.5 hr
STEEPEST44 %
ROUTELoop
RATING · HIKERS 4.5 · 275
DOG EFFORT4.6 /5 paws
PARKING70 m away
Nearest emergency vetChristchurch After Hours Veterinary Centre, Christchurch
03 366 1052
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
River swim spotsForest shadeA popular track, busy on weekendsBest in summer; snow and ice at altitude in winter
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
About Mount Richardson, Blowhard, and Bypass Tracks Loop
Near Glentui in Canterbury, Mount Richardson, Blowhard, and Bypass Tracks Loop runs 11.9 km as a loop.
Expect hard going, with around 733 m of climb, pitching up to 44 % at its steepest, and takes about 5–5.5 hr to walk.
Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, and big views. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.5 / 5 across 275 reviews.