Last Updated: 27th Nov 2023
3 Peaks Plus 1
Last Updated: 27th Nov 2023
Grunt Factor: 78 ?
Gnarl Factor: 30 ?
55.0km
2880m
2865m
730m
Last Updated: 27th Nov 2023
Last Updated: 27th Nov 2023
Grunt Factor: 78 ?
Gnarl Factor: 30 ?
55.0km
2880m
2865m
730m
Urban fringe
Point to Point (one way)
Very hilly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.5%
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
11:00
Slow
8:00
Moderate
6:00
Fast
The run starts on Woodhaugh St and in 400 turns into the Ross Creek reservoir reserve. Follow those trails up to join the Pineapple track for the first big climb up Flagstaff.
Carry on over to the bullring on Whare Flat Rd and cross the road to join the Longridge Rd forestry road. 1.5km down that turn right onto Smeatons track and join back onto Longridge Rd at the bottom. Back onto Whare Flat Rd then onto Tunnel Track. Keep following that and along beside the water race until the route down to Powder Creek.
Cross Silverstream (probably with wet feet) and 500m later turn right for the big climb up Powder Ridge and then up Long Ridge to Pulpit Rock the course highpoint. Follow Green Ridge down to Hightop and then turn right toward Swampy Summit.
At Swampy pass the Summit and head for the cell tower then down Leith Saddle track turn right into the flax track to head down into Morrisons Gully and Leith Valley.
Head up Leith Valley Rd for 1.5km and just over the bridge turn left in the track through the forestry to head up Mt Cargill.
From the summit head down the trail to Bethunes and follow the road to the finish at Mt Cargill.
This trail includes the peaks Flagstaff, Swampy Summit, Mount Cargill, Hightop and Pulpit Rock.
Obviously the biggest feature of interest is this is the route for the 3 Peaks Mountain Race 55km distance. Also you pass a historic water race that used to provide Dunedin's water supply in the 1880s. Lots of really nice native bush sections with good bird life thanks to an active pest management programme.
Usually a bit of on-street parking is available on Woodhaugh St or Malvern St.
0 km
0 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
There's a lot of other trails around so best to download a gpx onto your phone or watch and follow that. Or you can enter the race and it will be well marked and marshalled.
Cell coverage is available on the tops but patchy elsewhere.
Patchy.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map
Water in Silverstream (20km) is drinkable. Apart from that there is almost nothing.
Swampy ridge is always muddy. Rain at any time of the year can add a bit more in other sections. Silverstream (20km) can be high in a massive deluge but usually OK the day after. Pulpit Rock and Swampy sections are high and exposed and can get very cold and windy with no visibility in bad weather than can be any time of the year.
Rocks, mud, river crossing that might be high in very high rainfall.
Inch Bar
8 Bank St
https://www.facebook.com/Inch-Bar-100507150007389/
Good beer
Good company
Great atmosphere
Open fire in winter
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and 3 Peaks Plus 1
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
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.
The Wild Things Trail Directory is proudly supported by 
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
