Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Spooky Gully and the Rocky Shore
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Grunt Factor: 15 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
7.8km
520m
520m
283m
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 15th Jan 2025
Grunt Factor: 15 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
7.8km
520m
520m
283m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Beach
Coastal
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.8%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.3%
VIP Feature: Send this route to your Garmin account so you can follow the course on your Garmin device.
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
1:30
Slow
1:10
Moderate
0:50
Fast
Feb 2021: The first 1.5k of the track isn’t being maintained and the first ascent (from the carpark) has eroded further and become quite dangerous. Take care! If you have an update on this please email us
Head up the steep track on the left side of the creek. Go carefully as the dirt is very loose in places. Stop to catch your breath then head left along a track cut through the gorse. This is quite narrow in places. Eventually it joins the ridgeline, with stunning sea views.
You will pass old stockyards on the coast side. Continue uphill. After a small downhill section you will come to a track on the right. Follow as it drops steeply into Spooky Gully, crosses a small stream then heads steeply up again to Tip Track.
Head right onto Tip Track and run all the way down to Happy Valley Road where you once again turn right. Run down to Owhiro Bay, but do a small detour through Happy Valley Fields, avoiding a bit of asphalt.
Once you get to the end of the road cross to the beach and head right again, but instead of running along the road, jump over the creek (if it's low enough) and follow the rocky shore back to the carpark.
The trail starts at the site of the old Owhiro Bay Quarry. Taputeranga Marine Reserve. Unique flora and fauna. Stunning sea views!
Public toilets are available in the carpark at the trailhead.
Parking is available at Te Kopahou Visitor Centre at the end of Owhiro Bay Parade.
9 km
15 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
If you miss the Spooky Gully Track you will end up at the Red Rocks Track.
Patchy.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
A tap and toilets are available at the Visitor Centre. There is often a coffee caravan parked there as well.
Exposed to strong winds on the ridges. Can get slippery after rain.
The beginning and the Spooky Gully section are steep with loose gravel. Lots of gorse along the first couple of kms - prickly but may also set your hayfever off.
The coffee cart. Not open every day or during bad weather.
Visitor Centre carpark.
Nice coffee and scones. Dog treats!
The Beach House and Kiosk
410 The Esplanade, Island Bay.
https://www.beachhouseandkiosk.co.nz/
The Kiosk (down the back) has nice coffee and lovely gluten free sweet treats. As well as regular treats too.
Trail Legend
Login as a VIP to become a Trail Legend. Learn about Trail Legends.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Spooky Gully and the Rocky Shore
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
Testing loop with steep climbs and descents and a couple of km of fast downhill road. The first couple of kms were not too overgrown and so I escaped with only minor gorse abrasions! Views were spectacular....!
January 15, 2025
Wonderful loop. The gorse and approach was no big trouble today, just minor exfoliation and only blood on one limb
October 31, 2023
I’ve got to be honest Richele but this was torture! Slipped several times going up the first track, slipped down the ridge at the top then spent 2k bush-bashing through gorse which my legs bore the brunt of. I’m sure it would be lovely once cleared! I will congratulate you on one thing though - it’s not often I say that the Tip Track was the highlight of the run but it was on this one! Haha!
December 26, 2020
Apologies Wild Things - the last time I popped up the track from the carpark the gorse was really tall. Wear long pants.
November 3, 2020
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.
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
