Clyde Lookout and Hawkesburn Road
Track Overview
Approx 1.5km to the lookout.
Hawkesburn road is 25km from Earnscleugh road, near Clyde to Bannockburn Road, opposite the start of the Nevis road, near Bannockburn.
Hawkesburn road was once the main travelling route from Clyde to Bannockburn in the gold rush!
It is a public road and is shared with 4x4s, bikes, walkers and bikers.
Starting at the base of the hill "carpark" you go straight up a zigzag steepish road. The road is well maintained up to the lookout and a bit further. Stunning views in 10mins!! It's a steady climb, it took us approx. 20 mins to the lookout (you climb approx. 190m) my relatively unfit horse didn't struggle.
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You can continue climbing past the lookout for another 1.5km to the first gate. After that there's alot of ups and downs for about 9km. Go straight at the junction of Pylon and Hawkesburn road, then one final gully down to the tar seal.
This road crosses the mountain! Its gets high and is exposed. Be prepared for all conditions and have emergency communication.
I don't think there is any water on this trip but I will update when I have more info.
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The road crosses private land please respect the land owners, stay on route and don't go exploring.
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Directions and Float Parking
Enter Hawkesburn Road, Clyde 9391 into Google Maps or click here.
Go along the road to the base of the hill and right at the base of the hill, on the right hand side is a decent carpark area see picture below left and below right for size. You could get a few floats in there if your clever.
Accommodation
No camping.
Check out the "where to stay" tab for options in the area.
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Clyde River Trail
Track Overview
Approx 12km return from either end.
A beautiful, historic river side trail that runs between Alexandra and Clyde.
More details to come...
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Directions and Float Parking
Accommodation
Please check out the "where to stay" tab and check out Alexandra
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Fraser Dam
Track Overview
Approx 8km one way to the dam from parking location.
A well formed public gravel road snakes you upwards about 400m to an elevation of 660m to a pretty spectacular picnic spot! You will enjoy lovely views of the area on the way and may meet the friendly local cattle. Fraser Dam road also links up to the Kopuwai Conservation area/tracks. Be careful if you venture further this is a popular hunting area.
This track is popular with motorbikes and vehicles, there is plenty of room to get around each other.
Fraser Dam was built in the 1930s as an irrigation catchment, and is a popular trout fishing spot.
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Directions and Float Parking
If you enter Backcountry Saddle Expeditions into maps it will pretty much take you to the spot.
Just past the horse trekking is an area marked on the map good for parking.
If there are lots of you, contact Debs 0275443815 at the horse trekking and ask her real nice and she may allow parking on her property (she likes Speights).
Click for Maps
Accommodation
Please check out the "where to stay" tab and check out "Hidden Valley Horse Retreat" or Alexandra.