Coronet Loop Mountain Bike
Saturday 1 March 2025

Coronet Loop Mountain Bike

56km
Mountain Bike
1522m
Climb
949m
Highest Point
Butler Green, Arrowtown
Start Line
Wilcox Green, Arrowtown
Finsh Line

This is a grade 3 – 4 trail (expert) with some technical aspects, exposure and plenty of climbing.

The trail is part of the Mahu Whenua Eco Sanctuary, which Soho Property Limited spent three years constructing the track in the deep back-country with their partners, Queenstown Trails Trust, QEII, DOC, and QLDC.

The event starts at Butlers Green, Arrowtown heading up the Bush Creek trail to join with the Coronet Face Water Race. The Water Race Track weaves along the front face of Coronet Peak through remnant Beech Forest. A thrilling descent of the flowy Hot Rod trail is followed by a steady climb up the Dan O’Connell track, bringing you to Coronet Peak Road where there will be a Refill station and cut-off point. Heading towards the true back-county from this point you’ll climb the excellent ‘Tradesmans’ track taking you to the highest point on the course at 949m, which links to the fast singletrack ‘Pack, Track and Sack’. This takes you into Long Gully, a real highlight of the circuit and onwards to the steep climb up an old farm track to Greengates Saddle.

From the top of the Greengates saddle you enjoy a flowing downhill, following the historic pack track, past the restored back-country Greengates Hut, before it opens out high above Deep Creek overlooking the remains of the Old Greengates Hotel.  A long descent flows past the remains of the old Greengates Hotel above the Deep Creek confluence.

Before the Pinchers Bluff section was solved and the Skippers Road was completed, this was the original miner’s route to reach Skippers township, with the Greengates Hotel being the last stop before crossing Deep Creek and heading over the saddle to Stapletons Terrace. Legend has it that the Greengates Hotel spent its final years being run as a piggery, serving bacon sandwiches to weary miners heading in to make their fortune.

The track continues upstream, over Picnic Rock with its amazing vistas and breathtaking bluff, before a long steady descent into Deep Creek, passing a couple of spectacular waterfalls on the way to the Golden Terraces visible in the distance. The track sidles in and out of the Creek, so be prepared for wet feet and up the ‘Willows Climb’ before crossing Parkers Creek and emerging onto the high plateau of Golden Terraces. This section gives a stunning back-country experience out here, linking sections of old pack track between the sheer cliff faces and winding past old mining ruins and water races.

The terrain eases up a little before the Eight Mile (Coronet Creek) Saddle, where the course will follow a water race joining the Macetown track at Eight Mile Creek and turning right to head down the fast and fun Macetown track, through the infamous river crossing of the original Macpac Motatapu mountain bike event to cheering crowds at Wilcox Green.

Course Maps

Event Details

Entry Fee View Entry Fees here
Event Date Saturday 2 March 2024
Distance 56km
Start Line Butler Green, Arrowtown
Start List Click Here
Finish Line Wilcox Green, Arrowtown
Start Time 8:30am

The event start will self-seeded rolling start. It is essential that you seed yourself relevant to your capability.

Categories Male & Female 16-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years and 60+ years

No E-Bikes

Minimum Age Must strictly be 16 years of age on race day to compete
Placegetter Awards A short presentation ceremony for the overall top 3 male and female placegetters for each event will be held at the finish line as soon as all 6 athletes have completed the event. Overall Male and Female solo winners will be awarded NZD$500.00.

There is no prize giving presentation ceremony for each age group category placegetters. 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters can collect their award from the Winner’s Lounge at their leisure from 4pm. No awards will be mailed after the event.

Spot Prizes All competitors are eligible for a spot prize, which will be randomly drawn. A list of winners will be available at the Winner’s Lounge and on the Motatapu App. If your race number is showing on the list, then head along to the Winner’s Lounge tent and show your race number to collect your prize. The Winner’s Lounge will be open from 11am until 8pm in the finish area of Wilcox Green, Arrowtown.
Mandatory Gear & Bike checklist Click here to view the requirements
Athlete Check-In Friday 1 March, 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Wilcox Green, Arrowtown

Saturday 2 March, 7:30am – 8:15am, Butler Green, Arrowtown

Collect your race bib at either of these times.

Cut-off Times Cut off at Refill Station 1 (18.5km from start line) – 11:00am

Course cut off – 5:00pm

Cut-off times will be strictly enforced, noting the time listed is the time you must be leaving the location, not arriving, and then stopping for 15 minutes.

Race Briefing There will be a race briefing before you start. It is compulsory for you to attend your race briefing. It will include up-to-date course and weather conditions. The briefing will be based on you having read all the information sent to you pertaining to your event.

Click here for the written version.

Mandatory Gear Checklist

The Motatapu mandatory gear & bike list contains what we believe is the absolute minimum to keep you safe in the alpine environment.  The weather is very unpredictable in the high country, a front can blow in and out of the mountains in less than 12 hours. It has been both sweltering hot and freezing cold in this area during March so you should be well prepared with all the necessary gear for all conditions, including snow, due to the high elevation of this event.

All competitors must carry the mandatory gear at all times during race day. No mandatory gear = no start!

All mountain bike competitors must ensure their bike is up to standard as per the bike checklist.

Officials can randomly check bikes (if applicable) and gear at any point during the event, including at the start and finish line. Officials have the right to stop an athlete for not adhering to the mandatory checklists. Any infringements may result in disqualification or removal from the event.

Mountain Bike entrants are not required to complete a bike check at a bike check store, however, we highly recommend booking a bike service with your local bike shop pre and post-event to ensure your bike is in top condition. Regular bike maintenance will increase the longevity of your bike’s life, minimise breakdowns and be easier on your pocket in the long run.

Mountain Bike Mandatory Gear & Bike List

Start Line - Arrowtown

BUTLER GREEN, ARROWTOWN

Limited facilities are available at the Butler Green, start line area. There will be Info Tent, toilets, parking (nearby) and coffee from nearby Cafe.

Refill Stations

The Coronet Loop Mountain Bike has 3 self-service Refill Stations along the course. Refer to the course map for exact locations. Refill Stations will have water and PURE electrolyte hydration drink. Please note that all athletes should be carrying what they need to complete the event.

There are toilets located at Refill Station 1 (18.5km), Refill Station 2 – Greengates Hut (26km) and Refill Station 3 – 8 Mile Hut (44km) and at Soho Creek (49km).

**Please note: While we are there to help, please ensure you carry enough food and drink to get you through your race.

Finish Line - Arrowtown

WILCOX GREEN, ARROWTOWN

The finish line for all events is located at Wilcox Green, next to Nairn Street, in the heart of Arrowtown. The Finish area will offer the full post-race experience; where you can relax, soak up the atmosphere, appreciate a well-earned massage, refuel, and enjoy celebrating your achievement with friends and family. Make a day of it enjoying the local flavours of the region, with plenty of delicious food stalls, beer, and entertainment; whilst cheering on other finishers throughout the day.

 

Race Rules

Click here to view the Race Rules

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