Distance: 2.6 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 832m to 1009m. Gain: 25m. Loss: 202m . Gradient: 5 deg (Moderate)
Skills:

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the track junction 500m east of Mt Richardson the Blowhard track drops east along the ridgeline through beech forest and open clearings - giving views of the Canterbury Plains to the south. Initially the track is of rough MTB standard, dropping two moderately steep steps to reach the flat ridgeline below. Once on flats the track is broad, well surfaced and fast travel.

The junction with the Bypass Track is signposted, 3km east of Mt Richardson.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the junction with the Bypass Track, the Blowhard Track runs west along the ridgeline in beech forest and open clearings - giving views of the Canterbury Plains to the south. . Broad and well cut it is gentle for the 1st 1.5km, before it starts to climb. Two moderately steep climbs of 100m each follow. 500m short of the Mt Richardson summit the rough MTB track meets an obvious old 4WD track. A signpost 'Mt Richardson marks the junction.