Last Updated: 28th Mar 2024
Sandymount - Sandfly Bay Loop
Sandymount Track
Sandymount Track (DoC) and Ridge Road Track (Dunedin City Council)
Submitted by Nils
Last Updated: 28th Mar 2024
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
9.5km
405m
405m
Last Updated: 28th Mar 2024
Sandymount Track (DoC) and Ridge Road Track (Dunedin City Council)
Submitted by Nils
Last Updated: 28th Mar 2024
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
9.5km
405m
405m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Plantation/exotic forest
Beach
Coastal
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.5%
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1:30
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:45
Fast
From the car park at the end of Ridge Road, the first 3.5 km of the run are along gravel road - first backtracking up Ridge Road, then turning right into Sandymount Rd. Follow this (ignoring the turn-off towards Hoopers Inlet) all the way to the Sandymount car park at the top and enjoy the views to the Inlet on the way.
Keep going past the DoC track sign, first through a nice corridor of macrocarpas and then onto open pasture. After a short time, pass through a gate on your left and follow the track down to the stunning lookout over Allans Beach and the coast beyond, then run back up following the marker poles.
Keep following the poles over grassy and increasingly sandy ground, passing through a small grove and up towards Sandymount. At the sign pointing to the car park, you can turn right for a steep detour to the top of the hill (following the direction of the sign), otherwise turn left along an undulating track that soon drops down sharply through the vast dune landscape towards Sandfly Bay.
Keep running along the beach (beware of seals and sea lions!), but not all the way to the other end - instead, once you reach a small creek (Morris Creek), turn right and spot an orange pole in the distance that marks the beginning (or end) of the Ridge Road Track.
Keep following the poles over undulating grassy and sandy terrain, and after a final short but steep uphill push you're back at your car.
Note: Sandymount Track is closed for lambing from 1 September to 15 October.
Stunning views of the Otago Peninsula and its coast, beautiful beach, chance of seeing interesting wildlife.
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 for two to three cars is available on the small grass strip at the end of Ridge Road.
3 km
11 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Generally easy to follow, but take your time to spot the next marker pole before proceeding.
Patchy.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map
No drinking water available.
Some sections are very exposed to the wind and the DoC sign warns against passing through the macrocarpa tunnel in high winds. In poor visibility, parts of the track (e.g. through the dunes) might be difficult to follow.
There are steep drop offs along the coast, although these should not be an issue if you stick to the track. Keep a safe distance from wildlife such as sea lions.
Cove Cafe
Portobello
https://www.facebook.com/covecafeportobello/
Friendly staff, good coffee and food and nice views over Portobello Bay
The Duck
Macandrew Bay
https://www.facebook.com/the.duck.dunedin/
Friendly staff, good coffee and food and nice views over Macandrew Bay
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Sandymount - Sandfly Bay Loop
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Absolutely beautiful but I got lost. Trail markers go through some fields with sheep and were tricky to see through the mist. The descent onto the beach is an absolute blast! Magnificent view. And then tiptoeing around sea lions. What an adventure!
August 27
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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