Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Shirt Tail Grunt
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 6 ?
Gnarl Factor: 88 ?
1.8km
200m
200m
517m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 6 ?
Gnarl Factor: 88 ?
1.8km
200m
200m
517m
Urban fringe
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +24.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -22.6%
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0:45
Slow
0:30
Moderate
0:15
Fast
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!
You cross a small stream with a lovely waterfall. There's a natural climbing wall just off the trail. Beautiful views up Lake Wakatipu and down the valley from the top.
Plenty of parking in the clearing at the start of the track, or back at the cafe.
0 km
1 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
After the stream crossing, make sure you are heading straight up the slope, to the right of the bluff. Too far left you'll end at the base of the climbing wall, but too far right you'll be heading up Mt Dick. Stick as close to the bluff as possible.
Perfect throughout.
Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Lake Wakatipu at the start of the track or easy access to the stream most of the way up.
The rock section is very slippery in wet weather and extreme care would need to be taken.
Slippery rocks and steep slopes. The beech trees on the steep section ensure a constant cover of leaves that are very easy to slip on.
Kingston Flyer Cafe & Bar
Kingston
Simply the best place to sit and enjoy a well deserved beer and bowl of chips after you've nipped up the hill, situated in the old station house.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Shirt Tail Grunt
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Thought I’d give this a whirl on my way through to Kepler. It was wet and I had my non-grippy road shoes on. Yes it was beautiful at the lookout but the dicey climb up there and down again was not what I should have been attempting the day before a big race 😆
December 5, 2020
My favourite little local, I do this on a near daily basis. If you're looking for the best view closest to Kingston, you can't go far wrong with this one.
May 21, 2020
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