Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Flat Top Hill
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 18
Gnarl Factor: 30
13.1km
450m
450m
560m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 18
Gnarl Factor: 30
13.1km
450m
450m
560m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -7.8%
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2:15
Slow
1:40
Moderate
1:10
Fast
The loop starts from the carpark at the Conservation area. Run across dam and then take the track the heads to the right. Follow this track along the base of flat top hill until it heads directly up the face at about 5km. Most of the track involves following markers. Along the top follow the track as it works its way through the exposed schist tors until it loops its way back to the dam and carpark.
Great views overlooking the Roxburgh Gorge and down the Manukerikia Valley. A nice dam to cross and some old gold mining era pieces of interest.
Large parking area
9 km
11 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
Reasonably well signposted as many tracks exist, track is marked consistently with orange markers on poles.
Generally good.
Lightweight fleece top, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
No drinkable water on site
Can be very windy up on top and is exposed to Southerlies.
A lot of loose rocks around which could cause tripping or rolling ankles.
Courthouse Cafe
Old Courthouse Building, 8 Centennial Ave, Alexandra
https://www.facebook.com/The-Courthouse-Cafe-144456498934437/
Great coffee, great pasta salad, great curried vege salad. Plenty of delicious sweet stuff too.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Flat Top Hill
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So…. I got lost and didn’t follow the right track it would appear! But it was an awesome run nonetheless. The scenery is incredible and the views are stunning. Amazing schist rock formations and some good running!
January 11, 2022
I loved being on this trail, ran round it in pouring rain , so atmospheric, missed a Doc sign and headed off on a mountain bike track somewhere, looped back around and did 18km instead, funny as, I just ran up on the hill and found my mistake and retraced back. I took my standard survival gear plus some food as there isn't much shelter from the weather, so the seam sealed rain coat and merino came out. Running through wet purple flowering thyme was amazing and the rock formations stunning in the rain and low cloud!! Me and the trail great Sunday afternoon and plenty of alternate tracks to take just for fun..don't forget to check out the "rock of doom"
November 22, 2021
MD
Keep coming back to this when in the area, It was pretty smokey up here on NYD but route signage has improved so no issues even with the poos visabilty.Dragged teh MTB round (& also ran) the adjacent Purple Haze (&Black & Blue) tracks which are also recommended
January 8, 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.
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