Lorn Peak Lunacy

Are you ready? Let's go! From the stile at the end of the access road, the route is following the orange poles up the relatively overgrown farm road. Be prepared for some steep ascents as there's more than 200m climbing in the very first kilometre. It's always good to start a run as far into VO2Max as possible! There's limited chances to catch your breath on the way up, both from the spectacular scenery and from the sheer steepness of the terrain. It does get better the higher you go, but for the most part, remember those zigzags you saw going up the mountain on your drive in? You're following them all the way up to the top - which is further back than the false summit you see from the road.

After around 2.7km, you cross another fence and stile onto the conservation land. From here, there's a loop track that goes off to the left - ignore it and continue on up the hill. After about 500m, you run out of trail, and from then on, you're on your own! The best way to the top is to directly follow the fenceline - it leads right to the summit. You cross through some tall tussock and the steep terrain continues. Be aware that there is water underfoot here and it will freeze in winter.

Once you get onto the summit pyramid the tussock gives way to rocky terrain - the fenceline curves away to the left and so do you. Beware of getting your hopes up for false summits, as there's about three of them. But before you know it, there'll be nowhere further to climb, the beautiful Central Otago landscape will open up in front of you, and you're at the top! The way back down is the same route - the only trick is catching the track when you rejoin it from the fenceline, but it is clearly visible as you descend.