Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Dun Mountain Traverse
Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 68 ?
Gnarl Factor: 46 ?
41.0km
1600m
1650m
1129m
Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 68 ?
Gnarl Factor: 46 ?
41.0km
1600m
1650m
1129m
Back country - remote
Point to Point (one way)
Mountainous
With permit
Native bush
Riverside
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.0%
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9:00
Slow
6:45
Moderate
4:30
Fast
From the road end follow the Pelorus Track (part of the Te Araroa Trail) past Captain Creek Hut to Middy Creek Hut. Cross the river on the bridge and start the long grunt uphill through bush to Rocks Hut. Now follow the signs for Dun Saddle. The bush becomes more stunt and the underfoot conditions more rocky.
From Dun Saddle it's a 140m climb over about 1km to the summit of Dun Mountain, from where there are panoramic 360 views on a nice day.
Retrace your steps back to the Saddle and turn right (signed to Coppermine Saddle) on a rocky trail. On arriving at the junction with the Dun Mountain Trail hang a left and begin the long, gradual descent towards Nelson. Leave Third House Shelter to your left and continue on the Dun Mt Trail, ignoring other tracks, all the way to its end on Tantagree Road.
This trail includes the peak Dun Mountain.
The beautiful Pelorus River, stark open tops of Dun Mountain and the historic Dun Mt rail route make for a varied and challenging long run.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Parking available at road end.
70 km
72 minutes
With Permit
No
Moderate.
Well signposted but quite a few junctions so keep an eye on the map.
Very patchy.
Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries
Water in the Pelorus River is good and at Middy Creek & Rocks Huts. After Rocks Hut there is no more water on the route.
Can be very muddy after rain. The top sections can be icy in winter.
The main hazard is exposure on the open tops around Dun Mt. Go prepared regardless of the time of year.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Dun Mountain Traverse
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Amazingly varied landscape/terrain - so runnable on the Nelson side, but gotta say "not so much" on the Pelorous side! :-) We did it in reverse which might have been a mistake.
January 21, 2022
A great run with a grunty climb to the saddle. Awesome views of bush and then the open mineral belt at the top before dropping down to a nice easy gradient downhill, though the downhill isn't thrilling.
November 2, 2018
There is a lot of climbing up and it can be very cold at the top. Fantastic views from the top. This is a great track.
September 6, 2018
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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