Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Slick and Quick Swampy

Dunedin, Otago

Submitted by Henry Ritchie

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 17 ?

Gnarl Factor: 34 ?

10.0km

600m

600m

724m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

10%
30%
15%
30%
15%

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +11.6%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.8%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:30

Slow

1:10

Moderate

0:45

Fast

Start at the carpark at Sullivan's Dam and make your way down the gravel road (away from Sullivan's Dam), across the bridge over the top of the motorway and keep following the gravel road for about 1.85km until you reach a bridge. Just before this bridge you'll want to turn right and head up a steepish gravel track for about 600m and you'll see a little track heading into the bush on your right (easily missed so keep an eye out).

Head up this muddy, technical 'track' (you'll pop out into the open grass once or twice) before heading into the bush again. You'll eventually end up on a 4WD track that heads up (very steep in places). Keep following this and as it starts to ease. As you get closer to the summit you'll see a little track on your right which will take you up to the summit (again, easily missed).

From here, shoot down the Leith Saddle track (very muddy in places), to the top of the the motorway. Cross, and run down to the car. You can add distance by adding a loop or two of Sullivan's Dam if you feel like it. Very enjoyable run with plenty of variation, and is relatively short, (slick) and sweet!

Fantastic views from the top of Swampy of the city, up the northern coast and of Mount Cargill.

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Enough room to park on either side of the road and safe.

12 km

17 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

As mentioned above, two tracks which you need to take on your RIGHT can easily be missed. Not disastrous if you take the wrong turn, you'll soon realise!

Perfect throughout.

Lightweight fleece top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Headtorch and spare batteries

No water

Very muddy after rain (but fun).

Trail Legend

Steve Stewart

Steve Stewart

has completed Slick and Quick Swampy twice in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

If you are looking for a shortish trail near the city with all the terrains, this is it.

Andrew Glennie

September 10, 2020

Nice loop, fantastic views up top... think I would prefer to run it in the other direction but overall a neat 10km

Mike Tennent

December 5, 2019

great run thanks. The directions were great. It was icy with lots of frozen snow when I did it. Need to be careful descending the Leith Saddle track in the ice.

Ed Masters

May 30, 2018

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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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