Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Suggest edit Edit

Doctor's Point Return

Alexandra, Otago

Submitted by Kieran Philip

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Suggest edit Edit

Open

Grunt Factor: 28 ?

Gnarl Factor: 57 ?

19.7km

Length of run

460m

Total Ascent

460m

Total Descent

176m

Highest point

Driving Time

Driving Distance

Directions to start

Share your photos

Send to phone

View other trails

Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, small hills only

Riverside

Run Makeup

30%

20%

30%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +5.8%

Average Downhill Gradient: -5.7%

Trailhead

Estimated Times to Run

4:00

Slow

3:00

Moderate

2:00

Fast

GPX File

Topo Map

3D Satellite

Guide

Starting from Graveyard Gully parking, head over the stile and on to the track. Simple instructions would be to just follow this down the gorge for the next ~10km.
However, the first 4km are all good, a nice bit of single track. Once past Butchers Point the track begins to get a little more technical. Keep following this down the gorge.
The further you go the rougher the track gets. After Davis Bend at about 7km you are really just following goat tracks, rock hopping and having a great old time. You'll eventually get to the Doctor's Point sign to let you know you've arrived! If you have time have good explore, there are some great remains from the old gold mining era.
After this, turn around and head back the way you've come, with the nice transition into easier running the closer to your car you get.

Old gold mining remains
Central Otago landscape in all its glory

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.

Transport and parking:

Room for parking at the graveyard. It's an out of the way spot, so ensure valuables are taken with you, or out of sight.

Distance from Alexandra:

4 km

Driving time from Alexandra:

6 minutes

Dog friendly:

Unknown

Landowner permission required:

Navigation Rating:

Very hard.

Navigation Tips:

For half the time the track is pretty nondescript with it mostly being a goat track. Marker poles are few and far between. Just follow the river down and back!

Cellphone Coverage:

Very patchy.

Suggested Gear List:

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 bag, Cellphone, Map

Availability of Water:

Take your own, or there is the river - but I wouldn't go near that for drinking!

Seasonality Issues:

Very cold in winter, very hot in summer.
Good Central Otago conditions!

Hazards:

Heaps of rocks to trip on.
Bluffs

The Courthouse Cafe
8 Centennial Ave Alexandra
http://www.packingshedcompany.com/
Great salad, great scones, great coffee, great service.

Trail Legend

Gareth Jenkins

has completed Doctor's Point Return once in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

Fastest Known Times (FKTs)

Learn about Fastest Known Times.

View your Fastest Known Times

Missing your time?

You and Doctor's Point Return

As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

Be the first to submit a review for Doctor's Point Return!

Trail Running Community

Find people who are interested in or have completed this trail run.

You must register or login to view this feature.

Overlapping Trails

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.