Rough tracks
This page describes a series of tracks that explore an early water scheme and use part of an original road out of Dunedin. The area provides an opportunity to explore some of Dunedin's history while enjoying nature.
Morrisons Burn Track
This is a moderate grade track. The first easier entrance uses the gravel access track, on the left just over the Leith Valley Road Bridge. Follow the track for a couple of hundred metres then turn right to enter the bush just before the upright railway iron.
The second entrance follows an old gravel access track past a weir and leads to a waterfall; you branch off just before the waterfall and scramble 25 metres up a steep bank; traversing towards the left near the top, to meet the gravel access track at the top. Turn right walking down hill for about 95 metres before turning left into the bush just past an upright railway iron.
Follow the steep muddy track on leaving the bush, follow a small tongue of grass to the fence, turn left and use the gate to re-enter the bush. The track will be very muddy in this section. This track breaks out onto a wider, power line, access track.
Further up it joins the Swampy Ridge Track as it meets the ridgeline. From here you can also turn left, (south) and follow the ridge all the way up to Pineapple Track and Flagstaff. Alternatively turn right, (north) along Swampy Ridge Track to Leith Saddle Track and connect to the Burns, and Rustlers Tracks. Either return the way you have come or use one of the connecting tracks to make a circuit.
Swampy Summit Track (Pineapple Track to Leith Saddle Track)
Travel up the Pineapple Track to the signpost on the ridgeline; continue straight ahead branching off the Pineapple Track, which veers to the left.
This track connects with a 4WD track, turn right and head down Swampy Spur along Swampy Ridge Track to connect with Morrison's Burn or Leith Saddle Track or continue on to Swampy Ridge Track or Burns Saddle or Swamp Ridge Track.
View track map (PDF, 1.2MB, open in new window)
Leith Saddle Track
This track is under the management of the Department of Conservation. The track starts on the left side of Waitati Valley Road opposite the carpark as sign posted.
This is a moderate grade track following a line up the ridge from Leith Saddle. A steep climb through regenerating forest, along stepped track and board walks, to a viewing spot as you clear the regenerating forest.
You can continue up a rough track through low scrub to the Trig Station S, 666 metres and then to the transmitters on Swampy Spur. You can then travel a further 1.4 km on the gravel access road to the Swampy Ridge Track.
Then south to the Pineapple Track; or head north along the Swampy Ridge Track to connect with Burns, and Rustlers Tracks.
Burns Track, Rustlers Track, Burns Saddle Track & Pipeline Track
These four separate tracks make up a figure of eight circuit. This provides for a great day walk. The Pipeline Track begins from Waitati Valley Road (Leith Saddle). Take either Burns Track or Rustlers Track as your route to climb to higher ground, and then branch across to Swampy Ridge Track or up Burns Saddle Track to the Swampy Ridge Track.
There are many impressive views from the tracks of the Waitati Valley, Silverstream Valley, Blueskin Bay, Mt Cargill, and Silver Peaks. Access to the tracks starts on the left side of Waitati Valley Road as signposted; on the far side of the first bridge opposite the small parking area.
The track initially climbs, then sidles along a DCC water pipe line, the Pipeline Track. A sign marks Burns Track, that heads up into the native bush. You can either head up Burns Track or continue along the Pipeline Track to link with Rustlers Track.
Burns Track
This is steep, and at times muddy, at the start. It climbs through native bush for about 150 vertical metres, and then breaks out into turpentine scrub. It then sidles along the hill contour through scrub. Keep a sharp eye out for the ground trail, as this section can be overgrown with grass and flax.
The track drops briefly through scrub into Burns Creek. From here it climbs steeply to the crossing at Burns Saddle. At the saddle there's a choice to link to Rustlers Track, or Burns Saddle Track or continue straight ahead, dropping gently into Fergusons Creek.
After the creek crossing the track makes its way through some deep bogs. The track is very muddy in places. It eventually connects with the Swampy Ridge Track.
Here Swampy Ridge Track can be traversed over to Hightop by turning right, (north), or by turning left, (south) you can travel to Swampy Summit, over to Leith Saddle or Morrisons Burn Track, or back down Burns Saddle Track to the crossing.
Rustlers Track
Rustlers track is accessed further along the Pipeline Track. The track is quite muddy and rough in places, especially where it crosses Burns Creek. From the Rustlers Track signpost the track climbs steeply through regenerating scrub and forest.
It climbs through native bush for some time, breaking out on a small knoll that provides good views. It then descends to the Burns Saddle and the crossing of the two other tracks.
Burns Saddle Track.
From Burns Saddle this track climbs steeply up through turpentine scrub, breaking out onto the ridge. The track follows an old fence line to the gravelled Swampy Ridge Track. Keep a sharp eye out for the ground trail, as the track is indistinct in places.
Turn right (north) along Swamp Ridge Track, and return via Burns Track, or turn left (south) to connect with Leith Saddle Track or Swampy Ridge Track, Flagstaff, Pineapple Track (see pamphlet, Sky Line Walks, for more detail).
Last reviewed: 02 Jul 2009 4:49pm
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