29/04/2026. Signal Hill from Ravenbourne. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: Sandy Webb & Gail Williams.
23 trampers met at Rimu St and began the trek uphill via the Signal Hill and Telecom tracks.
Morning tea was at the Monument in sunshine with great views back over Dunedin.
We then walked a short distance and entered the Burns Reserve. This is a marked route, where we encountered fantails and could hear Tuis and Bellbirds. The route had numerous tree roots to step over and muddy areas where there was some slipping and sliding.
The route passes through bush, pine forest, along a fence line and emerges eventually at Gerry’s rock. Here, there are stunning 360 views including the entire harbour, along with native orchids and protected early graffiti.
After lunch in the sunshine on top of the rock we returned via a different track to Bryan’s stile and out onto a shingle road.
The plan was for an optional climb up to the Signal Hill trig, an option which was taken by absolutely nobody, so we turned and walked back up the road to the monument and then down over the bike tracks to the cars.
Grateful thanks to Jane and Spen, who showed us the tracks during the recce, and explained the history of the area to us all.
Afterwards a small group met for coffee at Crusty Corner, and everyone made it home before the rain.
Distance 10.5k, height gained 518m, actual moving time depended on whose gadget you believe: 3hr 11min or closer to 4hr.
Gail and Sandy
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.