Wild Things - New Zealand's trail running community
New Zealand's trail running community

Login



don't have an account?

Mt Difficulty Loop, Otago

Trail Directory proudly supported by Further Faster

Update Your Header Picture

Mt Difficulty LoopIntermediate

Submitted by Kieran Philip

Info Info
Map Loading

Trail Information

28.30km

1500m

1500m

 

Otago

Cromwell

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Mountainous

Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops

Intermediate

5:00 (Slow)
4:00 (Moderate)
3:00 (Fast)

-9.8%

+11.6%

Restrictions in place during lambing season (spring), check DOC website.

Download PDF Guide

Fastest Known Times (FKTs)

Please set your gender to see your position on the FKT leaderboards.

Men

Show more

Women

Show more

Filter FKTs

The more , the harder the FKT will be to beat. Learn about Fastest Known Times.

Missing your time?

Register or login as a VIP and get yourself on the FKT leaderboard!

Register Now

Description

From the carpark head up to Stewart Town, through there and on to the Long Gully Bluffs track. Follow this route down until you get to the water race. Follow that for 500m and then go through the gate just past the vineyard. You're then taking right after another 500m, cross the creek and follow the farm track up the hill.

A good honest climb, then you'll reach the main farm track. Follow this up for 2km, then take a right and head down towards another water race (this part will be familiar to those of you who've done Mt Difficulty Ascent). Follow the water race track along and keep an eye out for when the poles lead you off up the hill to your left (kinda doubles back on itself). Follow this track all the way up to the summit. Once at the summit it's following the ridge all the way along until you reach Slapjack Saddle. Keep heading down from Slapjack Saddle back the to the gate where you crossed just after the vineyard. Follow the same track back to your car.


Trail Community

Find people who are interested in this run.

You must register or login to view this content.

Features of interest

Great views of Cromwell Basin, Gibbston Valley


Make Up of Run

Easy Single Track: 5%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 95%


Route Data

Reviews:

You must register or login to view this content.

Photos:

You must register or login to view this content.

Your Trail Wishlist

All the runs that are on your To Do list (no limit).

Add to wishlist view wishlist

Your Trail Dreamlist

The runs you most want to do (limited to 10).

Add to dreamlist view dreamlist

Wild Explorers

I did it!
  • Access

    Head to Bannockburn, up Hall Road until almost the end and then turn right into Pipeclay Gully Rd and then park at the DOC sign at the bottom of there.

    Quiet wee parking lot. Hardly ever many cars in there and pretty safe.

    9 km

    11 minutes

    No

    No

  • Staying Safe

    Easy.

    Generally good.

    Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.

    Can fill from water race half way up Mt D.

    Very unpleasant in poor weather. Can be bitterly cold in the wind, as there is no cover.

  • Post run indulgence

    Black Rabbit Cafe
    Bannockburn
    http://blackrabbit.nz/

  • Blog Posts and Articles
  • Sponsor this trail

    If you are interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch below:

    Submit

Got a favourite trail? Tell us about it.

Share the love and add your favourite trail(s) to our growing trail directory.

Submit A Trail

Become a member today

Start enjoying the many benefits to becoming a member of our thriving community.

Become a member

Great brands at great prices with our VIP member's discount

Stay up to date

Sign up to our newsletter for latest offers and trail guides

Share this trail with a friend:

VIP Membership

Please register as a VIP or login to your VIP account to view this content.

Cancel Login Register

Membership Required

You can see up to three trail guides without being logged in but after that we require you to be logged in to your Free or VIP account. If you don’t yet have an account you can register here.

Login Register