From the car park at the Boundary Stream bridge ride north up the gravel Lilybank Road for 10km when you turn right into the Round Hill ski field access road. Then it's a tedious workout for 7km up that gravel road gaining over 500m of altitude.
You'll see the sign for the actual Richmond Trail or your right. It sidles south along the side of the range on an old glacial moraine. You'll love the next glorious 10km of dirt singletrack with the turquoise glacial Lake Tekapo below and jagged mountains all around. The final 4km is a bumpy descent, sometimes steep, straight back to the car park.
The Richmond Trail Loop is half on gravel roads and half on singletrack that was not purpose built for mountain biking so you don't ride it for its interesting technicality. This is a ride for a clear sunny day to enjoy the magic of the high country and get a good workout.
Text updated by jimcummings, May 2016.
This loop uses gravel road to access the Richmond Trail. That trail has expansive views over Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains and basin. It's a ride that feasts the eyes and brings peace to the soul - and acid to the leg muscles.
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