Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Cromwell Gorge and Cairnmuir Loop
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 35 ?
Gnarl Factor: 16 ?
23.4km
1620m
1620m
1001m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 35 ?
Gnarl Factor: 16 ?
23.4km
1620m
1620m
1001m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Lakeside
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.0%
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4:30
Slow
3:30
Moderate
2:30
Fast
Starting at the DOC carpark, head up the 4WD track, at about 1.5km you'll come to a wee saddle - the DOC track heads up the hill to the right (this is where you'll come out), but stick to the road and head down to the left. You'll come to a gate at the next saddle and go through this and stay on this track for the next 8km or so as you weave in and out of the gullies on your way down the lake. You'll eventually get to the bluffs, at this point follow the track up the hill. This is the big climb, pretty simple to follow the track, just plod your way up! At the top, go through the gate and head down the DOC track back to the carpark. There are signposts and yellow markers on your way down.
Cairnmuir Slip - large reinforcements to stop the hillside from sliding into the lake and busting the Clyde Dam... Central Otago views.
There is a parking area just off Cornish Point Rd. Small, but nice and clear, never had any security issues.
11 km
13 minutes
Unknown
Yes
Name: Al Hamilton - Cairnmuir Station
Telephone: 0274791858
Easy.
Patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Very little, especially in summer.
Snow on tops at times, very windy and exposed often on the tops.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Cromwell Gorge and Cairnmuir Loop
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Think it's worth noting that half of this track is on private land and is marked as such. There are no entry signs at the split point from the DoC track and at the bottom of the bluffs.
January 11, 2023
3 stars only because I got lost! Somehow lost the track going up from the bluff. Managed to pick up random farm track taking me down to Paterson Road. Thankfully I was prepared , I was out there for awhile!
August 2, 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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