Track

Central South Island Helicopters

Track Fly Over

Land at the trig station on Mt Miserable and pedal through tussock lands and high country to the top of the Herbert Forest, then down through the famous mountain bike tracks built by Mountain Biking North Otago.

The helicopters take four riders at a time. Your ride will be timed but it won't be an official race, pending final decision by the organisers.

Track test

The landing zone at Mt Miserable has panoramic views from Macraes Flat and the Rock and Pillar range on the horizon in the south, and up past the Waitaki River Mouth in the north.

We estimate the track is intermediate grade for the first couple of kilometers as it starts off in tussock high country and runs along the border of the Waianakarua Reserve on a typical high country track that has been cut down to the rock. After a couple of kilometers there's a short uphill section before you descend down a very steep section of track past the water tanks and out onto a fast downhill paddock navigating through pig rooting towards the historic Red Hut.

From the Red Hut you are back on the farm track and grinding up Mt Fortune, the main climb of the day. After that it's easy riding on a gravel road and your reward is a long gradual downhill to the Woolshed and then along Mt Misery Road to the start of the Herbert Forest mountain bike tracks. 

The forest tracks are purpose-built by Mountain Biking North Otago down through the forest over jumps and dodging tree stumps. 

Pick your course carefully - blue signs indicate intermediate tracks and black indicates advanced tracks. If you need an 'out' you can divert onto the gravel roads and follow your nose down the hill to base camp. Otherwise, follow the trail to South Ridge Rd and out onto base camp on Little Glencoe where cold beer and hot food will be available.

Elevation

Maps

High country tussock stage. Begins on left hand side at Mt Miserable Trig. High speed downhill paddock on right hand side of map.

From the Red Hut on the left it's a slog up Mt Fortune and then a long downhill section to the right of picture.

From left to right - more long, fast downhill to the Woolshed.

From the Woolshed at the top of picture it's relatively flat with a short climb to the forestry gate where the mountainbike trails start.

Pick your way down through the forest stage towards base camp. Dodge the tree stumps and hit the jumps. Then take the van back up to the forest entrance for another go at this stage on a different trail.

Overview: a total of 15km from the top of Mt Miserable to base camp at Reid Rd.