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

Login



don't have an account?

Racing to Rain Gauge, Otago

Trail Directory proudly supported by Further Faster

Update Your Header Picture

Racing to Rain GaugeBeginner - Intermediate

Submitted by Issy Whitaker

Info Info
Map Loading

Trail Information

16.00km

650m

630m

 

Otago

Dunedin

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush
Riverside
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops

Beginner - Intermediate

2:30 (Slow)
2:00 (Moderate)
1:20 (Fast)

-7.6%

+10.9%

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

At the junction of Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road and Rollinsons Road, start with a cruisy descent down a very quiet gravel road for about 3.5km before turning right on Silverstream Valley Rd where you will come to Silverstream carpark. This is the start of Raceman's track along an old abandoned water race. At the beginning make sure you stay close to the building to find the narrow track on the right hand side of the river.

Head along the rooty and undulating singletrack. Turn left to cross the river at the first sign for Powder Ridge (If you accidentally go straight you should end up back on the route again). As you continue the tracks become more well signposted. There are a few easy/shallow river crossings to negotiate. Continue along Raceman’s Track which becomes flatter and easier going. A couple of other tracks break off to the right and left so it is handy to have the map or route on your phone/watch.

Just before the 9k mark you meet Rain Gauge Spur track. This is the beginning of an awesome 3km ascent to your final goal, the hairpin bend on Swampy access track. Initially you climb steeply up the side of the spur, before reaching the top and following it along through manuka forest and eventually emerging onto the tussock with awesome views back across the Silver Peaks.

Turn right down Swampy Access Track and cruise the 4k descent 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

Abandoned water race


Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 0%

Technical Single Track: 30%

Moderate Single Track: 0%

Easy Single Track: 20%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 25%

Gravel Road: 25%

Sealed Road: 0%


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 out of town up Three Mile Hill and turn right on Flagstaff-Whare Flat road. Head past the Bullring and keep driving down until you reach the junction of Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road and Rollinsons Road

    There are parks on the side of the road just before the junction and just after it.

    9 km

    14 minutes

    Yes

    No

  • Staying Safe

    Moderate.

    Between the Silverstream carpark and the beginning of Rain Gauge Spur track (km 4 to km 9) there are a few tracks breaking off on the right and left so a map is handy. Even if you do take the wrong turn it is possible to find your way back to the route easily with a map.

    Very patchy.

    Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries.

    Along Raceman's track you have easy access to a free flowing clear river which you have to cross a couple of times. Essentially no water after km 9 once on Rain Gauge Spur.

    There are muddy patches along the trail which could become deep after rain but not impassable. The last km of Rain Gauge Spur is out of the tree line so potentially could be very windy.

  • Post run indulgence

    Patti's and Cream
    176 Eglinton Road, Mornington, Dunedin
    https://www.pattisandcream.co/
    The best ice cream in Dunedin hands down. Olive serves home made ice cream in hand rolled waffle cones. She also makes a mean milk bun burger if you're after something more savory. Check her facebook page in case shes serving down by the beach in her Bedford food truck.

  • 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