Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -13.3%
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2:00
Slow
1:20
Moderate
1:00
Fast
From the car park the track heads up the gully with the creek on the left for about 500m. It makes a nice warm up before you cross the bridge over the creek and start to climb. Up through exotic forest for another 500m which then changes to native bush. At the 2km mark there is a lookout over the upper catchment area. Around the 3km mark there is an intersection. Take the left turn to the summit and then the other way on the way down to the organ pipes. If you run on past the organ pipes you come out on Mt Cargill Rd.
This trail includes the peak Mount Cargill.
Mt Cargill summit has great panoramic views of Dunedin and Otago Harbour on a good day. Wonderful sunrises!
The Organ pipes are a really interesting rock formation with great views out over Blueskin Bay and up the east coast.
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.
Plenty of car parking at the car park. Public buses only go as far as the Normanby intersection. it's about 1.5km jog along the road from there.
7 km
15 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Generally good.
Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
There are a couple of small waterfalls around half way up the climb. They can dry up if it's been very dry but that doesn't happen often.
It can get really cold up there at any time of year if the weather turns bad. Snow, hail, lightning, and wind are all possible at anytime.
The Grid Cafe and Roastery
282 North Rd
http://www.gridcoffee.co.nz/
Great coffee and wacky conversation.
Open until 3pm most days.
Inch Bar
8 Bank St
https://www.facebook.com/Inch-Bar-100507150007389/
Great craft beer on tap and wacky conversation. A very friendly outdoor area where the locals are used to the occasional trail runner and attached dog. Please say hi for me!
Open from 3pm everyday.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Mt Cargill and Organ Pipes
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Awesome trail. The Organ pipes are simply mind boggling! Great 3 peaks training 👌
March 17, 2021
Well worth the hard climb up. Go first thing in the morning. The views are jaw-dropping!
January 6, 2021
Rough run up but worth it for the scenery, views of the coast and definitely the run back down. 🏃🏽♂️
December 6, 2020
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.