Last Updated: 1st Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

The Elephant

Oamaru, Otago

Submitted by Stu Houston

Last Updated: 1st Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 35 ?

Gnarl Factor: 10 ?

40.0km

680m

680m

351m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, some big hills

Open farmlands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

13%
15%
10%
57%
5%

Sealed Road

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +3.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -3.4%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

7:00

Slow

5:00

Moderate

3:30

Fast

Park at the Elephant Rocks carpark and take a wander down to look at the rocks to warm up. Then follow the Alps To Ocean Trail all the way to the old Rakis rail Tunnel and turn around after running through it.

The trail is pretty much a gravel cycling trail although there are sections that you follow roads. The trail is well sign posted but carry a map. The trail is undulating with many hills but they are nice gradients. The road sections of the trail are a bit of a pain but the trail sections make it worth the hassle and are great running. You don't have to do the full 20km - even just the first 6 km from the rocks is on a sweet little trail !!

Elephant Rocks at start are pretty neat and there are many cliffs along the way which have fossils to see. Run through the old Rakis rail tunnel at the turn around.

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

No public transport but plenty big car park

40 km

35 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Take a map - the trail is well sign posted but signs go missing so better to be safe as this area is a labyrinth of roads.

Generally good.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map

Take water with you as there is no water available and DON'T drink from any stream this is dairy farm country.

Trail is exposed in places so take windproof layer. !!

Watch out for mountain bikers - this isn't a busy section of the Alps 2 Ocean but keep an ear open. Beware spring and nesting magpies - be ready to duck !!

Anything in Oamaru
Oamaru

Pink Pig
Duntroon
Great pies cafe isnt always open though.

Trail Legend

Raewyn Peters

Raewyn Peters

has completed The Elephant once in the last year.

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Overlapping Trails

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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