Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

The Great Ross Gold Run

Ross, West Coast

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 6 ?

Gnarl Factor: 17 ?

4.1km

180m

180m

155m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Riverside

Lakeside

Run Makeup

10%
90%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.5%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

0:45

Slow

0:35

Moderate

0:25

Fast

This is perfect for those on a time constraint, or those who just want a cruisy trot around the Ross heritage trail. Lots to take in, a wee gem. And add in the loop of the lake at the end and you've got a neat little circuit that you can do a few loops of if you want more km's.

Start up the steep rise from the Goldfields Info Center and you'll spot a DOC sign for the trail entrance. It climbs quickly up to one of the two historic cemeteries in Ross - this one being the 'Dead Centre' of old Ross. Pause for the wonderful view out to the Tasman Sea and reflect on the gutsy pioneers you are surrounded by.

Carry on past the cemetery and back into the bush where you'll climb a short while until the old miners hut. Pop in and see if anyone's home. Beyond the hut there's a little bit more uphill and undulations until you pick up another heritage feature - the old log bridge. Take care to stick to the trail as there are open mine holes around

A quick zig zag descent will spit you out onto the Mt Greenland 4WD road. There's another trail directory on where that road leads up to but for this one head down alongside the gold panning stream. Finish off with a quick loop of the lake which has filled what was until relatively recently a massive gold mine site- once the 'biggest hole in the South Island'. There's actually millions of dollars of gold lying right under Ross, maybe one day it'll get extracted.

As you finish mind your head around the hole in one golf and you head up to the Empire for a beverage in one of NZ's most historic pubs.

Explore the historic Ross Goldfields and check out the wealth of history this area provides.

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Park at your start finish point

0 km

1 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Pretty straight forward

Generally good.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Whistle, Cellphone, Map

Water available at the Info Centre.

No probs all year round, all weather loop

Mid out for holes in the ground away from the trail- lots of mining took place here!

The Historic Empire Hotel
19 Aylmer St, Ross
History and cold beer

Ross Goldfields Information Center
Aylmer St, Ross
https://www.westcoast.co.nz/plan-your-trip/ross-goldfields-information-heritage-centre/
Gold panning and heritage interpretation

You and The Great Ross Gold Run

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Trail Reviews

Really enjoyed this run, apart from the fact that due to recent rainfall part of the track around the lake was under 1.5mtrs of water and i hadn't brought my togs. Some one has started to cut a new track by the edge of the lake making it wider but it only goes so far, hopefully when i return it will be finished and i can do it again, be aware that the bush side of the track is quite wet and muddy and you have to cross a stream.

Callum Templeton

April 26, 2021

Well formed trail through the forest that transitions into an easy 4WD track back to town before going around the lake. Lakeside track furthest from town is very overgrown and the lake covered a small part which I waded through to find surprisingly warm water compared to the glacial rivers. Photos still in my phone that got rain soaked and is now in the cupboard dehydrating. Hope it turns on again tomorrow.

John OConnell

December 23, 2020

Every time we stop here to visit the family, we always do the trail. Just love it. Few slips from the big rain falls, but still an enjoyable track.

Sharon Sharpe

January 30, 2020

Another spin around an old favourite. A couple of slips since the big rains recently

Tony Sharpe

January 22, 2020

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