Maitland Ridge Circuit – Mt Richmond Forest Park

Sunday 11 December 2022

This is an excellent circuit taking in Red Hills Hut, Maitland Ridge, Beebys 4WD, and Wots Up Doc mountain-bike track.

The track included beech forest, tussock, an historic cob cottage, a tarn, and a goblin forest. There were sweeping views including across the Wairau River to the Raglan Range and upriver along the Rainbow Road. 

The whole route is a designated or purpose-built mountain bike track and not technical, just long (23km) with elevations starting at 575m climbing to 1200m on the Maitland Ridge and again to 1340m at Beebys 4WD.

The rain had been predicted to start at 5pm, and after the 8 hours tramping it arrived on cue as we arrived back at the cars.

The eleven strong team were: Tony (leader), Anne, Diane, Eric, Esther, Peter. Visitors: John, Lynne, Penny, and Tessa, and NTC member Jo.