Last Updated: 2nd Dec 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Roxburgh Gorge

Alexandra, Otago

Submitted by Kieran Philip

Last Updated: 2nd Dec 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 22 ?

Gnarl Factor: 22 ?

19.5km

510m

510m

541m

  

  

  

Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.

Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Riverside

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

16%
68%
10%
6%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.6%

Average Downhill Gradient: -7.7%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

3:00

Slow

2:15

Moderate

1:30

Fast

Starting at the 150th Anniversary car park, head towards the bridge. Follow the signs and go under it. Follow the well signposted track along for the next 8km. At the signpost head up in to the Flat Top Hill Conservation Area via the 4WD track. At the top you will reach a junction by a fence. Follow the 4WD track to the right for about 700m. Take a right hand track through the gap in the fence and follow the orange poles for the next 2.5km. Here you'll reach the Rock of Doom track turnoff, head to the right and down there. Either follow the black poles, or just bomb it down your own route until you reach the river trail at the bottom. Once back on the main trail, follow it back towards Alexandra and your original starting location.

Great views of the Roxburgh Gorge, River, Schist Tors.

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.

Car parking is located off Earnscleugh Road, about 300m from the main road turn off. Plenty of parking available, overlooked by houses so is pretty safe.

4 km

6 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Follow orange poles in Flat Top Hill conservation area. Follow black poles on Rock of Doom track. If in doubt up on top, generally stick to the right hand side tracks.

Patchy.

Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map

No drinkable stuff, take your own.

Can be snowy on top, as well as very windy!

Plenty of tripping hazards.
Cyclists on the river trail.

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

You and Roxburgh Gorge

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

Register Now

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

Loved this but next time I won’t do it in the middle of Summer as there’s no shade up top. The wild thyme did smell wonderful in the heat though.

Richele McKenzie

January 2, 2023

Great run in the sun, with the track in good condition for winter - I lost the Rock of Doom track 2/3 of the way down (maybe no bikers have made it to the bottom yet :P ?) and fudged my way through the thyme and prickly bushes bonus being I smelt good by the time I got back to the river track.

Jessie Lindsay

July 25, 2020

This was a wet day run for us so we did it in reverse as the Rock of Doom downhill is best done on a dry day. Too much flat for my liking or it would have been a 5 star run although the views on the return to Alex through the gorge are lovely

Matt Doherty

January 8, 2020

Awesome run. Great balance between the nice fast river trail, a grunty climb and some fun technical trails. Wicked views too. Can get hot, so take a lot of water.

Dan Boulton

January 2, 2019

Login to submit a review

Trail Running Community

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

You must register or login to view this feature.

Register Now

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.

Flat Top Hill

Flat Top Hill

Length: 13.1km

Level: Intermediate

Doctor's Point Return

Doctor's Point Return

Length: 19.7km

Level: Experienced

Flat Top Hill v2

Flat Top Hill v2

Length: 12.5km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Other trails nearby
Shakey Loop

Shakey Loop

Length: 10.0km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Old Man Obelisk

Old Man Obelisk

Length: 32.2km

Level: Intermediate

Earnscleugh Tailings

Earnscleugh Tailings

Length: 10.6km

Level: Beginner

Alex to Clyde... And Back!

Alex to Clyde... And Back!

Length: 24.0km

Level: Beginner

Find more trails and peaks nearby