Last updated November 2026
The Bypass Track is a link track in Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area that joins the Blowhard Track to the Glentui Loop Track, letting you make a round trip over Mt Richardson from the Glentui picnic area.
DOC grades it Advanced; check DOC for the walking time on the track itself. It starts near the midpoint of the Blowhard Track and follows a ridge down the eastern side of the Glentui River catchment.
DOC says the full loop via the Richardson, Blowhard and Bypass tracks takes 4–6 hours. The Glentui end is about 49 km from Christchurch, near Oxford, which makes it a big day trip from the city.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Bypass Track on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Near the midpoint of the Blowhard Track (loop from the Glentui picnic area)
- Finish
- Glentui Loop Track
- Distance from the city
- About 49 km from Christchurch
- Walking time
- Check DOC for the track itself (4–6 hr for the full loop)
- Track length
- 2.8 km
- Grade
- Advanced
- Dogs
- Dogs on a leash only
- Maps
- NZTopo50 BW22 (Oxford) and BW23 (Cust)
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
About Bypass Track
On its own, the Bypass Track is a short connector. Its value is in the loop it creates. From the Glentui picnic area, you can climb the Richardson Track to Mt Richardson, head down the Blowhard Track, then turn off near its midpoint onto the Bypass Track.
The Bypass Track follows a ridge down the eastern side of the Glentui River catchment and comes out on the Glentui Loop Track, which leads back to the picnic area. DOC gives 4–6 hours for the whole round trip.
The Mt Richardson Loop
The Richardson Track climbs from the Glentui picnic area through tawhai forest, then tussock and Dracophyllum scrub to Mt Richardson (1047 m), with views to the Puketeraki Range and over Lees Valley.
Linking it with the Blowhard and Bypass tracks brings you back to the start without retracing your steps. Use Plan My Walk to check the weather and share your plans.
Getting There
From Oxford, follow Ashley Gorge Road for 13 km to Glentui, then turn into Glentui Bush Road and follow it for 6 km to the end. DOC says the Richardson and Bypass tracks are accessed from Glentui Bush Road.
Track Conditions and Safety
DOC warns: “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.” Possum trapping with leg-hold traps is taking place in the area, by permit only, with traps at least 50 m from the track, so keep dogs on a leash and under control. Wasps are numerous from January to March.
When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had an alert for the Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area: “Recent storms have caused significant treefall on tracks”.
DOC’s examples were on the Mt Thomas tracks and the route towards Bob’s Camp Bivvy rather than the Glentui tracks, but it said some orange direction markers had been affected and “Extreme caution is required”. Check DOC before you go and tell someone your plans.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Bypass Track: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area: the Richardson, Blowhard and Glentui Loop tracks.
Plan My Walk: weather, track alerts and a trip plan to share before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Bypass Track?
The track is 2.8 km one way. DOC’s page gives more than one walking time for the track itself, so check DOC.
How long is the full loop?
DOC says the round trip from the Glentui picnic area via the Richardson, Blowhard and Bypass tracks takes 4–6 hours.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it Advanced.
Can I take my dog?
Dogs on a leash only, because possum trapping is taking place.
Where do I start?
At the Glentui picnic area at the end of Glentui Bush Road, near Oxford.
Is there a stream crossing?
Yes. Walking clockwise, you ford a small stream near the start because the bridge has been removed.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.