The Hogs Back Track is Closed for the Winter Season
The track has moved into Winter mode with lots of slick clay, mud, and frost heave. People are starting to cut corners and walk off the track so lets give it a rest till next Spring. Let everyone know the track is closed for the season...opening again in Spring. It has been an awesome Autumn of riding. Thanks to all those who gave $$ or time this year!
Details of other proposed Craigieburn Mountain Bike Tracks can be found here
We have big plans for more mountain-bike track development in the Castle Hill Basin. Please help us help you enjoy yourself at Castle Hill by giving a donation towards future track development using the Paypal donation button below (note that a Paypal account isn't required to make a donation).
Castle Hill Village Community Association Official Opening of the Hogs Back Track 3 March 2012
The original plans for opening the track at Texas Flat were cancelled due to bad weather and replaced by an informal ribbon cutting ceremony at the Castle Hill end of the track.
Paul and Monique Weber cut the ribbon to declare the Hogs Back MTB Track officially open...
...and the first 'official' track users are away!
The Castle Hill Community has worked with the Department of Conservation for last six years to construct a track within the Craigieburn Forest Park
connecting Castle Hill Village with Texas Flat on the Cheeseman Ski Field Road.
The majority of the track construction was carried out in a series of community work parties over the 2010/2011 summer.
The track is now complete with approx. 8 km of
single track able to be used by walkers, mountain bikers and skiers to access
the backcountry (see the map below for details of the track route).
Route Description
From the access road to Thomas Bush just west of Castle Hill Village the track climbs through beech forest onto the Long Spur ridgeline. After following the ridgeline the track then descends across the open flats below Long Spur to the beech forest at Long Creek. A ride through the beech forest is followed by a short climb up the true right of Waterfall Creek. After crossing Waterfall Creek the track then traverses across to the western side of the Hogs Back ridge before dropping down to Texas Flat (via Ernie's Mistake).
The return ride back to Castle Hill Village can be made by either taking the reverse track route or by riding 4.7km down the Cheeseman Skifield access road to SH73 and then 2.3km along SH73 back to Castle Hill (note this section of SH73 includes a 90m climb).
Track Statistics
Track length Castle Hill Village to Texas Flat: 7.4km
Total ascent Castle Hill Village to Texas Flat: 425m
Total ascent Texas Flat to Castle Hill Village: 369m
Round trip distance via the Cheeseman Skifield Road: 15.6km, 525m ascent
Images from the Track
Hogs Back Track Images by Mark Nicols
Hogs Back Track Route
The GPS track data of the route can also be viewed here on Google Maps. (The actual GPS data in kml format can be downloaded here).
1. Provide the local community and visitors to the area clear access from Castle Hill Village to the Cheeseman Ski Field road and thus the rest of the Craigieburn Forest Park.
2. Provide an additional trail head for access to the greater Craigieburn Forest Park thereby reducing pressure on the facilities at Broken River. Castle Hill Village has vehicle parking, toilets, drinking water and an emergency phone.
3. Increase the extent and capacity of trails within the Craigieburn Forest Park for hiking and biking.
4. Increase biker safety by providing off-road access from Castle Hill Village to the Craigieburn Forest Park.
5. Construct the track using best practice design and technologies to improve hiking/biking pleasure and reduce subsequent track maintenance.
6. Create a world-class mountain bike track that has international significance.
7. Provide a resource that encourages people to undertake outdoor activities and enjoy the unique qualities of Castle Hill Basin. This is in line with the objectives of the Selwyn District Council Walking and Cycling Strategy to encourage cycling in the Selwyn District.
Further Information
For further information on this proposal or to provide support please contact Paul Weber, Castle Hill Village
