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The Skyline Walk

The Skyline Walk unofficially starts at the Glenleith (Booth Road - Fulton Road) end of the Flagstaff-Pineapple Walk. It then breaks right, connecting with the Swampy Summit Track (4WD), and travels down the Leith Saddle Track.

After crossing SH1, a track on the far side of Sullivans Dam follows a route along the ridge towards Mt Cargill connecting with the Sir A.H. Reed Track, the Mt Cargill and Organ Pipes Tracks, which completes the Skyline Walk.

All the tracks provide panoramic views of Dunedin, the Otago Harbour, surrounding hills and valleys. Flagstaff, Swampy Summit and the Sir A.H. Reed Tracks provide glimpses of the city boundary on the Rock & Pillar Range.

Leith Saddle track and Sullivans Dam to Mt Cargill: both of these tracks are far rougher than the other tracks listed in this pamphlet. They both require sturdy boots and are more suited to confident trampers than day walkers.

Vegetation:

Snow tussock, Manuka, flaxes and Olearia are common plants seen on the trackside. You also pass through many stands of regenerating coastal forest; mahoe and pepperwood are common in the under storey beneath Totara, Rimu and broadleafs.

Wildlife:

Common birdlife include sky larks, which can be heard high above you. Fernbirds, bell birds, fantails and wood pigeons are common in the forested areas. Many butterflies and native moths can be seen. Native lizards - skinks - are commonly seen sunning themselves on trackside rocks.

Other Skyline walks

Flagstaff-Pineapple Walk

This is a moderate grade track following Flagstaff ridge, down off Flagstaff summit to Ross Creek/Glenleith. The walk can be started from either end, Glenleith, Booth Road or the 'Bull Ring' on Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road (off Three Mile Hill Road). From the Booth Road end the track steepens quickly. After about 5 minutes the track reconnects with a road.

The well signposted track begins again on the north side of the water treatment building (the right hand side). From here the track climbs, sidling across the face of the hill, travelling through patches of bush. Approximately 40 minutes up the track the bush ends. At this point there are excellent views of the city, Mt Cargill and Ross Creek.

A long steep climb is ahead before reaching a signposted junction with the Swampy Summit Track. At this point you are approximately an hour from Booth Road and the Bull Ring (other end of the track). The Pineapple Track continues to the Flagstaff summit.  A plane table helps locate the many viewable landscape features from this prominent high point. From here you descend an easy grade to the Bull Ring car park on Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road. 

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Leith Saddle Track

The track starts on the left side of Waitati Valley Road. 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 Swampy Spur. You can then travel south along the Swampy Ridge Route to the 'Bull Ring' car park, or to connect with the Flagstaff-Pineapple Walk or head north along the Swampy Ridge Route to connect with Semple Road and the Silver Peaks Route. 

Swampy Summit (Pineapple Track to Leith Saddle)

The track starts by branching off the Pineapple Track on the ridgeline. This then connects with the 4WD track, heading towards Swampy Summit. Turn right and head down Swampy Spur to connect with the Leith Saddle Track. 

Mt Cargill Walk (Bethunes Gully)

This walk starts at the Bethunes Gully car park and travels alongside Lindsay Creek. The track climbs steadily up the flank of Mt Cargill, firstly through pine forest and then regenerating native forest.

Approximately 25 minutes into the walk a sign defines a small loop track off the side of the main track. Further down this track a break in the scrub provides a good viewing point of Mt Cargill.

There are a number of bike barriers on route.  The track then climbs steadily to the top of the ridge between Mt Cargill and Buttars Peak. The intersection allows you to continue onto the Sir A.H. Reed track on the left, or the Organ Pipes Track or a short walk up Buttars Peak on the right. 

View track map (PDF, 1.2MB, open in new window)

Organ Pipes Track

The track climbs steadily from the car park for several minutes, then opens onto an exposed ridge. The track then continues for 20 minutes, where a large rock outcrop can be seen at the side of the track.

The track continues at an easy grade, it is also lined with many large examples of the basalt columns. Further on the track branches, the Organ Pipes are a few metres ahead and in clear view from the slope of fallen columns.

Sir A.H. Reed Track

It starts on the north side of the car park. After a short climb the track sidles along the hill below the TV transmitter and then links with the Mt Cargill Walk and Organ Pipes Tracks further on.

You can continue along the track to Buttars Peak to afford yourself an isolated view of the harbour basin and Otago Peninsula or continue on walking down to the Organ Pipes. History: (This track was established in 1973 and named after Sir A.H. Reed, an avid walker who did a great deal to popularise walking about Dunedin).