43.7 miles
Distance
3,143 ft
Climb
-2,813 ft
Descent
06:03:56
Avg time

Acheron Road Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    St James Conservation Area
    Hanmer Springs
  • AKA
    Molesworth Station
  • Difficulty Rating
    Access Trail or Doubletrack rate
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Dirt/Gravel Road
  • Bike Type
    XC, Gravel, Adaptive MTB
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Extreme
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    Summer 7 am – 7 pm
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Bridge, Rock Garden
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Local Popularity
    55 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Land Owner
    Department of Conservation

During the summer season, the Acheron Road is open 7 am – 7 pm from Labour weekend Saturday to Easter Monday or the second Sunday in April (whichever is the later date), but may be closed without warning due to weather conditions or fire danger. The Acheron Road status can be checked 24 hours a day by contacting DOC Wairau / Renwick Office (03) 572 9100 or online at www.doc.govt.nz (type Molesworth in the search bar).

Keep to roads and marked routes. These are high‑altitude routes where weather conditions can change rapidly. Always carry wind‑ and water‑proof clothing.

The distance from Blenheim to Hanmer via the Acheron Road is 207 km. Open dates are the same as for motorists. Outside the open season mountain bikers must apply for a permit from Wairau/Renwick Office.

Along the Awatere Road, toilet facilities are provided at the Marlborough District Council’s Blairich Recreation Reserve
(37 km from Blenheim/161 km from Hanmer) and Hodder Bridge Picnic Area (76 km from Blenheim/132 km from Hanmer).

Allow a full day to cycle the 59 km section through Molesworth, camping a night at the Molesworth Cob Cottage before setting out the next morning or — if you are beginning your journey in Hanmer — by the Acheron Accommodation House, 27 km from the township ($ 6.00 per night per adult (age 18+) and $3.00 per night per child (age 5–17)). These are the only sites along the Acheron Road where camping is permitted.

source: Molesworth Station brochure
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Acheron Road multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    329 ft
  • Altitude min
    2,300 ft
  • Altitude max
    3,728 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,502 ft
  • Altitude end
    2,831 ft
  • Grade
    0.1%
  • Grade max
    -21%
  • Grade min
    45.7%
  • Distance climb
    23 miles
  • Distance down
    16 miles
  • Distance flat
    4 miles
  • Avg time
    06:03:56
  • Avg reverse time
    08:27:53
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Apr 3, 2021
Very Dry
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      Directions to acheron-road trailhead (-42.462840, 172.889560)
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      Acheron Road Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Apr 3, 2021 @ 6:10pm
      Apr 3, 2021
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      Videos

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