Flat Top Hill v2

From the main carpark (where the signboard is), follow the trail along the lake to the left and over the Dam. Just up the hill after the dam is a track sign, you are heading left onto Basin View Track, keep following the orange markers (the blue ones are mtb) until around the 2km mark where you will come to another sign. You are taking Rock of Doom Track (we are Wild Things after all).... this section is quite a technical downhill with lots of flat schist rocks that are largely ok when dry but can be treacherous when wet.

In most cases where there is a large downhill rock, there is also a smaller 'substitute' route. There is one place in particular the trail appears to peter out, but a bit of checking and it continues to the right. The secret is that unless you are a mountain goat, take your time. Eventually this will drop you onto the Roxburgh Gorge Cyle Trail for just over 3km of smooth manicured trail. Make the most of it, because just over the 3km on the nice trail you will come to the sign for Davis Bend.

Here you follow the arrow for Flat Top Hill and start climbing. Several times you will think the crest of the hill is just ahead, only to find it climbs further once you get there. Eventually though you will reach the top having climbed about 395m vert in 2.4km. Once on top veer right and look for the orange pole on your left, just after that there is a grass path off to the left that leads you too another sign-board. Follow the walking trail and keep an eye out for Over Thyme Track, this is a lovely wee single trail that winds down the hill and joins Basin View Track. From there you can see the finish, just follow Basin View Track back to the start point and relax!