Sawpit Gully - German HillBeginner - Intermediate

Description

Start behind the Chinese Miners Settlement and cross the small wooden bridge across the Arrow River, veering right to pick up the marked Sawpit Gully Trail as it follows the old pipeline upstream.

After 1.5k keep a sharp lookout for a hairpin left turn next to a big rock that takes you steeply uphill into Sawpit Gully. Last time I was there the signpost was missing. If you end up dropping towards the red bridge across the Arrow you've gone too far!

The track becomes a bit rougher as you head up hill, but nothing too technical. It crosses the stream in several places but in normal flows this can be done on stepping stones without getting wet feet.

3km into the run the track crosses the stream one last time at a point marked by two yellow poles. Very shortly after that is another yellow pole where you'll need to bear left. The trail then climbs steadily to a broad saddle at about 3.9k. To your left is the unmarked trail that heads up to the summit of German Hill, a rounded summit with no marker as such but which gives brilliant views down to Lake Hayes, across to the Cardrona Range and up to Brow Peak.

After soaking in the views follow the same trail downhill to rejoin the main trail and turn left. Not far along is a marked junction where you'll head straight on in to a small clump of beech forest.

Follow the trail downhill to a small wooden bridge and continue downstream to pick up a 4WD track that takes you the last 600 metres back to where you started.

Features of interest

The area is rich in gold-mining history and is outstandingly scenic yet accessible.

Make Up of Run

Moderate Single Track: 25%

Easy Single Track: 65%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%

Route Data