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Canterbury · Hiking

Glentui Loop Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

A walker seen from behind carrying a grey and orange backpack, with hills in the background.

Illustrative photograph. General backpacking illustration; location unverified. This is not a photograph of the named route or evidence of its terrain, condition or difficulty.

Photo: Cody Black / Unsplash License / Details

This family walk starts from the pleasant Glentui picnic area.

Last checked 8 October 2026 · Department of Conservation

By Outdoor Next Editorial standards

On this page

Location & access

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.

Official location information
Location source

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.

Reference point: -43.19868, 172.25040. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.

DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.

Key facts

Distance
2 km loop
Walking time
1 hr
Track grade
Easy
Location
Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area
Dog access
Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.

Route overview

This family walk starts from the pleasant Glentui picnic area.

This DOC directory entry covers Glentui Loop Track in Canterbury, within Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

  • Distance: 2 km loop
  • Walking time: 1 hr
  • DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Walking in a anti-clockwise direction from the Glentui picnic area, the track descends to a bridge over the Glentui River then climbs a ridge on the other side. The first section is steep in places and there are a few major drop-offs before reaching the ridge.

The track links first with Bypass Track, then crosses a bridge. Shortly after, there is a small stream crossing. The track then links with the Richardson Track before returning to the picnic area.

This is a family walk suitable for people of moderate fitness, but good footwear is required.

We recommend walking in an anti-clockwise direction.

Getting there

From Oxford, follow Ashley Gorge Road for 13 km to Glentui. Turn into Glentui Bush Road and follow this for 6 km to the end.

Know before you go

You will need to ford a small stream close to the beginning of the track when walking in a clockwise direction, as the bridge has been removed.

Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light-coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.

Possum trapping is taking place here

Possum trapping using leg-hold traps is taking place in this area. Ensure your dog is on a leash and under control on this track to keep them safe.

Possum trapping is allowed by permit only. Leg-hold possum traps must be a minimum of 50 m from the track.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.

Sources & official links

  1. 1.Glentui Loop Track: official route information— Department of Conservation
  2. 2.DOC walking and tramping directory— Department of Conservation

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