Last Updated: 1st May 2024

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Flat Top Hill

Lye Bow Road

Alexandra, Otago

Submitted by Kieran Philip

Last Updated: 1st May 2024

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 18 ?

Gnarl Factor: 30 ?

13.1km

450m

450m

560m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

20%
40%
30%
10%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.5%

Average Downhill Gradient: -7.8%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

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.

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.

Large parking area

9 km

11 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

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.

Trail Legend

GJ

Gareth Jenkins

has completed Flat Top Hill twice in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

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!

Lauren Mai Anderson

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"

Lynette ELFICK

November 22, 2021

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

Matt Doherty

January 8, 2020

LOVE running this when I visit my parents!

Joshua Leigh

August 7, 2019

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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.

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