Distance: 5.6 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Unmaintained track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 362m to 645m. Gain: 330m. Loss: 278m . Gradient: 6 deg (Moderate)
Skills:

Unmaintained track (5/9)
Former track, overgrown - markers / ground trail still followable

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

This is the high-water route avoiding multiple crossings of Broken River which is tricky at anything other than low flows.

From the Waimakariri / Broken River confluence, climb the narrow steep spur heading east between the two rivers. The first 3m requires a scramble but good goat tracks lead up the narrow spur from there to terraces above. Continue east across scrubby terraces of dead manuka and live gorse/broom until you hit the old farm track. Note that you cross an old water race before reaching the track - so don't confuse the two.

Once on the track going is easy/obvious. The track is not shown on topomaps (2009) but follows the rough path of the fenceline shown on maps round Blackistons stream before continuing upriver on broad terraces. It then climbs steeply on the SW side of Truscotts Stream and from there joins the vehicle track indicated on maps, sidling high on the face before dropping directly to Avoca Homestead. The track gets some ATV use.

2-3 hrs

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description