Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Black Gully - Blue Mountains

Gore, Otago

Submitted by Mike Tennent

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 19 ?

Gnarl Factor: 66 ?

8.5km

600m

600m

938m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Mountainous

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Riverside

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

30%
20%
45%
5%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +18.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -20.2%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

3:00

Slow

2:15

Moderate

1:20

Fast

From the DOC sign in the reserve take the trail to the right into the bush and over the small bridge.

At the first sign take the straight ahead option for Black Gully Trail Loop. From there it is steady climbing, a few flat bits. You will descend to a stream crossing, look to the left and you will see the orange triangles about 30 - 40 metres downstream. Either cross there or pick your way along the bank or head down the stream... up to you.

After that it is just climb and climb, following the ubiquitous orange triangles ever upward. Eventually you will get up above the treeline at about the 4km mark and a short climb on a poled route to the trail intersection and DOC sign. This sign says 1km to Black Gully Track and points right... going right is correct, but it will be 1.5 to 2km until you come to the next DOC sign.

This stretch is swampy in places and you will probably get wet feet. When you reach the next sign at first you will see it says nothing about Black Gully Track... until you check the back. There it says head right and 2km ....once more they fib, it's about 3km to the carpark.

Be careful navigating the tussock above the treeline as some of the poles have fallen over, but the trail is pretty easy to follow. Once back in the trees the downhillers amongst you will thrive, about 80% of the downhill is open and runnable... enjoy!

Views forever on a good day. Wonderful beech forests and some knarly trail.

Plenty of parking in the reserve.

45 km

34 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

There are nearly always orange triangles and then poles, but care is still required. The only confusing bit is the stream, remember, look left.

Patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions).

Water from streams at various places on the trail.

Could get very slippery in winter. Also after heavy rain you would probably not cross the stream.

Lots, technical trail, angled trail (sideways) often you can't see where you are putting your feet. A trail that deserves respect.

Trail Legend

DS

Dean Stewart

has completed Black Gully - Blue Mountains once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

A nice surprise this one. Steady non- running ascent through beech forest, open tops (a bit scrubby) & a mind blowing decent on buff single track through more beech forest - a real classic downhill segment right there! If you’re peak bagging then we’ll worth adding in Tapanui Hill, as I of course felt compelled to do!

Malcolm Law

March 29, 2022

The bush is awesome, damn steep tho!

Rachel Howells

April 5, 2021

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