• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Ride Kaikoura Trails
  • Be Involved
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • The Kaikoura Trail Team
  • The Club
    • About KCC
    • Contact KCC
  • News & Articles
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Kaikoura Cycling Club

Kaikoura Cycling Club progresses and promotes Kaikoura cycling.

Back to: Cycle at Kaikoura

February 16, 2018

Clarence Reserve

Nestled between the Seaward and Inland Kaikoura Ranges, Clarence Reserve Station was once one of the country’s largest. These days this vast and rugged high-country is part of the Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park and cyclists have unrestricted access.

The primary access is over Blind Saddle, leaving from the Kahutara River bridge on the Inland Kaikoura road. It's a decent climb up to top at around 1200m, with great views back to the Inland Road and down to the coast. Looking toward the Clarence River from the top reveals the vastness of this high country. You will see weird rock formations and the remnants of fences and historic huts from farming days as you make your way down to the Seymour Stream. Following the Seymour brings you to the Clarence River and Forbes Hut (previously Seymour Hut).
There are many opportunities for adventure beyond Forbes Hut. Up the Clarence, under the imposing Dillion Cone is the Palmer Hut. Turn off 2 km up the Seymour from the Clarence for the track to Palmer Hut. Following the track down the Clarence will take you across Quail flat and eventually Goose Flat Hut, 22 km down river from Forbes Hut.
To get out of the valley, it's the same way you came in.

Pictures

  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura
  • Clarence Reserve biking at Kaikoura

Map & GPS

Highlights Need To Know Water/Food Additional Resources
Highlights
  • Impressive views from Blind Saddle and summit
  • Expansive and rugged high country
  • Modern DOC huts for overnighting
Need To Know
  • Surface - Shingle, 4wd track, riverbed
  • Vast and remote high country. Be prepared for all weather
  • Mountain bikers are requested to use roads and formed tracks only
  • No Fires
  • Hut pass/ticket required at huts
  • Respect our cultural heritage
Water/Food
  • Water at huts
  • Various creeks with fresh water - treatment recommended
Additional Resources
  • Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park DOC brochure
  • Clarence Reserve DOC map
  • Licence to Ride - Clarence Reserve article

Listed in: Cycle at Kaikoura

Footer

Search the KCC website

Sponsors & Supporters

Our helpers.

Coastal Sports Kaikoura

 

  • Vic Prince – Legend Landscaping
  • Winston Gray – Former Kaikoura Mayor
  • Geoff Harmon – Kaikoura Businessman
  • Mike Morrissey – DOC Ranger
  • The Trail Team
  • Countless others who lend a hand
© 2022 Kaikoura Cycling Club | Site by AS Photo | Website Terms of Use