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A satisfying loop that climbs from spectacular coastline to the Silver Peaks.


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Map Key

24.5

Miles

39.5

KM

0%

Singletrack

1,380' 421 m

High

7' 2 m

Low

2,989' 911 m

Up

2,993' 912 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Unknown

One section is signed "No Dogs." Beware of logging activity.

Overview

This is a demanding loop that uses farm and logging roads to climb from the beach at Warrington high into the Silver Peaks. Many miles of dirt road on this route are closed to private vehicle travel, making for nice riding. While entirely non-technical, there is a lot of up and down, so expect a good workout!

Description

This loop can be started from a number of different locations (the intersection of Highway 1 and Coast Road, for instance), but the carpark at the Warrington Domain has lots of space, toilets, camping, and a beach, all of which makes it a good place to get organized.

From Warrington find your way to Coast Road, where you'll want to head north toward Seacliff. This is a paved road with spectacular views out over the ocean that will take your mind off the occasionally steep climbing. After the 3rd railroad track crossing (fortunately there's not much train traffic) look for the signed intersection with Church Road, which heads uphill to the left. On Church Road you'll quickly cross the railroad tracks a 4th time, and then get to work climbing through the paddocks above Warrington. Views are good, and this quiet farm road sees very little traffic.

Church Road will deposit you at Highway 1, where you'll want to cross directly over to Steep Hill Rd. This road continues the climb toward the Silver Peaks, and despite the road's name, has a more relaxed grade than earlier parts of the ride. Views begin to include the inland mountains as you gain elevation on the ride through open country.

Somewhere near the signed intersection with Lawson Rd, Steep Hill Road imperceptibly changes to become Mountain Track Rd. This road continues to the boundary of the Silverpeaks Forest, which is managed for logging. A prominent yellow gate stops vehicle travel, though the road beyond is open to bikers and hikers. Mountain Track Road rolls to the south along a high ridge through a patchwork of logged forest. There are some good views of the surprisingly craggy Silver Peaks just to west, although much of this track passes through dense forest.

At the south end of Mountain Track another gate blocks private vehicles from the access roads to the south. You'll continue past this gate, and the grade will finally start to tilt downhill. Mountain Track will change names to Semple Road, and at a marked intersection with a gated farm road you'll turn off to the left - the sign at the intersection calls this "Joyce Road", the bottom half of the road is signed as "Jones Road" (as does a local trail guide), and GoogleMaps calls it "Wright Road". Despite all this confusion, the intersection is fairly obvious - jump the gate and head downhill on this little-traveled farm road.

Jones Road has really pleasant riding, passing between evergreen forest and clearings with views over Blueskin Bay. Its mostly a downhill ride, with a couple gates to contend with, all the way down to State Highway 1. Here, you'll continue straight across onto Coast Road, which leads around the amazing tidal spectacle of Blueskin Bay and back to Warrington.

Contacts

Shared By:

Almonzo Wilder

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#6

in Dunedin

#3763

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#6

in Dunedin

#28

in New Zealand

#3,763

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1,353 Since Nov 26, 2014
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Photos

Carpet of spring- on Jones Road
Nov 26, 2014 near Dunedin, NZ
Rolling farmland along Church Rd.
Nov 26, 2014 near Portobello, NZ
Warrington Beach. Not a bad place to start a ride.
Nov 26, 2014 near Portobello, NZ
Blueskin Bay below.
Nov 26, 2014 near Dunedin, NZ
Despite sticking to a high ridgeline, much of the Mountain Track has fairly limited views.
Nov 26, 2014 near Dunedin, NZ

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