Shirt Tail Grunt

Leave the carpark clearing and head directly up the hill. Don't get distracted by the tempting flat trails to your left or right - you're here for a steep uphill!

The trail is marked and directly in front of you. The DOC sign estimates 2 hours return - you can beat that! To begin with, you're on a lovely single track, and a relatively easy gradient. Turn the corner and there's a seat to stop, catch your breath, and enjoy the view of Kingston township. From here the trail begins to steepen and become more technical. You'll soon get to a DOC sign warning about slippery rocks - be careful with them in wet weather, because you're clambering up them.

This will take you up to the small stream you need to cross, and that's when it gets really fun. Cross the stream, and that's the end of the marked track. The steep slope in front of you is what you need to go up. Veer as far left as you can - use the tree roots to help you up some of the steeper parts. Soon, you'll come across a sign - Viewpoint (left) / Bushline (right). Head LEFT. It's a very short grunt from here before you head left toward the light, and suddenly come out on a little bluff. Follow the trail again for another 50m to the viewpoint: stop and enjoy the view! And then - head right back down the way you came, enjoying the sweet downhill!