The Great Ross Gold Run

This is perfect for those on a time constraint, or those who just want a cruisy trot around the Ross heritage trail. Lots to take in, a wee gem. And add in the loop of the lake at the end and you've got a neat little circuit that you can do a few loops of if you want more km's.

Start up the steep rise from the Goldfields Info Center and you'll spot a DOC sign for the trail entrance. It climbs quickly up to one of the two historic cemeteries in Ross - this one being the 'Dead Centre' of old Ross. Pause for the wonderful view out to the Tasman Sea and reflect on the gutsy pioneers you are surrounded by.

Carry on past the cemetery and back into the bush where you'll climb a short while until the old miners hut. Pop in and see if anyone's home. Beyond the hut there's a little bit more uphill and undulations until you pick up another heritage feature - the old log bridge. Take care to stick to the trail as there are open mine holes around

A quick zig zag descent will spit you out onto the Mt Greenland 4WD road. There's another trail directory on where that road leads up to but for this one head down alongside the gold panning stream. Finish off with a quick loop of the lake which has filled what was until relatively recently a massive gold mine site- once the 'biggest hole in the South Island'. There's actually millions of dollars of gold lying right under Ross, maybe one day it'll get extracted.

As you finish mind your head around the hole in one golf and you head up to the Empire for a beverage in one of NZ's most historic pubs.