19. 15/11/2023. Hikers. Cleghorn Street to Signal Hill. Leaders Pam Clough and Jay Devlin
23 keen hikers gathered on a beautiful day at the Bottom of Cleghorn St where we made our way up the gravel road to the beginning of our walk which was firstly over farmland. Continue reading “Signal Hill Tramps”
This page of club tramps and hikes in the Opoho, North East Valley, North Road area (Dunedin City) groups together tramps to Cleghorn Street, Signal Hill area.
Follow Old Main North Road to Cleghorn Street which has the best view of the harbour. Walkway sign.
Walk starts starts at the gate on right, up McGregors Hill. Beyond stile Pine plantation on 3rd stile at summit.
Gravel road 10 minutes to end. Locked gate. Last stile. Signal Hill road.
Links to tramps and hikes in this area:
Signal Hill Tramps. 2023 – 1992 (19 trips with 5 reports, 4 with photos only, 10 with no reports or photos) Signal Hill Centennial Memorial, Ravensbourne, Big Easy. 2023 – 1998 (24 trips with 7 reports, 2 with photos only and 15 with no report or photos). See reports dated 18/5/2022 and 24/11/2021 for reference to Cleghorn Street.
24. 26/07/2023. Big Easy. Hikers. Grade 2.5, $5, 19km, Leaders: Pam Clough, Jay Devlin.
23 enthusiastic Hikers parked opposite the old Ravie Pub in very cold windy conditions as we started our walk to the Otago Yacht Club, where we took shelter for morning tea.
Taking shelter – Photo Alex
We then made our way past the stadium then down Butts Road to the beginning of the Big Easy Track behind Logan Park High School.
At the start of the Big Easy Track – Photo AlexPhoto Alex
The track is a zigzag gentle climb for 3.6ks to the Plateau where we stopped for lunch in very cold windy conditions so needless to say we didn’t linger too long to enjoy the lovely views of Dunedin.
Dunedin City from Big Easy – Photo & Caption Michael WebbJay organising afternoon coffee – Photo & Caption Michael Webb
After lunch we followed the track and various steep streets back to Ravensbourne 11.3kms all up.
Photo Alex
Coffee was at Sunnyvale where we enjoyed a roaring fire.
Cleghorn Street to Signal Hill Lookout. A very pleasant day weatherwise saw 14 of us undertaking this walk. We parked near Cleghorn Street and walked up the road before entering the farm track which was a bit muddier than expected.
Getting ready to start out at Cleghorn Street (photo & caption John)
There were a number of cattle on the farm and guess they churn up the ground. They took no notice of us – guess they are used to people walking across their land. Bit of a grunt up to the top of the hill, and a couple of stiles to cross, one of which was a bit of a mission for us shorter folk.
Stunning view 5 minutes into hike (photo & caption John)
Beautiful hiking conditions (photo & caption John)Morning tea in the sun (photo & caption John)
Then a long downhill stretch to come out on to Signal Hill Road. Headed up as far as the Signal Hill Lookout where we had lunch. After a reasonably lengthy lunch, as we were at the Lookout shortly after 11.30, headed back to the cars the same way we had come. Previously we had done a round trip, which necessitated car shuffling and a very steep descent via Blacks Road, so the leaders decided a ‘there and back’ would be easier.
Downhill leg overlooking Dunedin (photo & caption John)The Signal Hill Lookout (photo & caption John)Start of the trek back to the cars (photo & caption John)Group photo – Yes the camera is on a slope (sitting on a rock) (photo & caption John)An example of Pam’s photographic skills (photo & caption John)
Great views of the harbour and peninsula on the way back, as evidenced by John’s fine pictures. The day ended with coffee at the Botanical Gardens cafe – a most memorable day enjoyed by all. Pam and Jan.
22. 8 December 2021. Hikers. The Big Easy. M. Leaders: Jay Devlin & Pam Clough
18 eager hikers reported to the carpark behind Logan Park High School on a beautiful sunny calm day. We looked up to where we were going and it looked a steep climb up but in fact it was a very gentle zigzag climb.
Heading off up the Big Easy (photo and caption Ross)Warming up up the Big Easy (photo & caption Ross)Gaining height (photo and caption Ross)
A third of the way up the track we stopped for morning tea with lovely views over Dunedin to Taieri Mouth. This is a pleasant walk in amongst native bush with lots of lovely tree ferns and abundant bird life.
Morning tea spot on a big bend on the Big Easy (photo and caption Ross)
We reached the monument right on lunchtime. This area really showed off the beauty of Dunedin and surrounding coastline and suburbs.
Lunchime at the monument (photo and caption Ross)Lunch with a view (photo and caption Ross)
After lunch we walked back down a steep Signal Hill Road which was a bit ouch on the knees. We then turned left into Blacks Road where we again entered the Big Easy Track that wasn’t signposted as it seemed to look like a driveway, but was shown on a map when we did the recce. This part of the track was particularly steep and had to be negotiated carefully but thankfully no one slipped over. 11k completed. We had coffee at The Hub which is in the University precinct. Leaders for the day were Pam and Jay.
21. 24 November 2021. Trampers. Ravensbourne, Signal Hill, Big Easy. M. Leaders: Theresa White & Ross Davies
We were greeted with a beautiful day and 16 members set off from the Marina, along the walk/ cycle way at a good pace. We crossed the road at the hotel, across Adderlay Terrace, to a walkway up the hill. Morning tea at the Manuka St playground got the breathing back on track.
Morning tea (caption and photo Helen)
Street walking for a bit until we reached the entrance to the Signal Hill track. At the top the new planting of native trees had grown quite a lot since we were there last time. The way to the top from the Plateau was by the Telecom Track. Up and up we continued.
Walking up to the Signal Hill Lookout from the Ravensbourne Track (caption and photo Pam)
A short break with a view of our beautiful city of Dunedin was enjoyed from the Monument. Onwards along the Signal Hill road until we came to the “No Exit “street on the right (used to be Cleghorn Street).
Looking back south over Dunedin from the ‘No Exit’ road off Signal Hill Road
We all wondered if the rescue teams would find us!! Up the gravel Cleghorn Street until we got to the many masted site at the top. At this point there was a small mutiny among the troops. NO MORE UP!!! Our intrepid leader Ross said “Just a bit more and the view will be worth it“. We followed a small track through some broom, over a style, into farm land, along a pine plantation and true to his word there was the view. The whole harbour and all the surrounding small settlements were there for us to” ooh and ahh” at over lunch.
Lunch with a view (caption and photo Ross)
Our lunch stop presented us with a magnificent view, like a Colin McCahon painting (caption and photo Marijke)
The return trip was thankfully down.
Signal Hill Track called Centre Road (caption and photo Ross)
We choose the shortest route down the cycle trails to Logan Park School.
Coffee at the Plaza before returning to the cars at the Marina.
Screenshot Strava Signal Hill Route (Ross)Screenshot Signal Hill Elevation (Ross)
Theresa & Ross
20. 24/8/2016. Trampers. Signal Hill Tramp. Leaders: Neil and Margreet.
Well the chilly Nor’easterly was ‘thin’ and the drizzle was horizontal; but 7 hardy trampers set out from the yacht club and walked to Ravensbourne along the walkway/cycleway. After crossing SH88 we found shelter in the lee of the War Memorial for morning tea.
Morning tea in shelter of the Ravensbourne war memorial. (Helen pic and caption.)
It was a nuggety wee zig-zag up Manuka St to find the track entrance to Signal Hill. A steady climb in dripping bush for 20 minutes saw us break out at the Plateau. Following the Telecom track, another energetic climb took us to the Centennial Monument.
Top of Signal Hill. (Helen pic and caption.)
We should have had stunning panoramic views over the city but sadly it was just a pea soup vista!
Leaving the two large bronze figures (‘History’ and ‘The Thread of Life’) to the raging elements, we quickly descended to the sheltering bush line where a nice ‘possie’ for lunch was discovered.
Lunch today. (Margreet pic and caption.)
After a leisurely (obviously Neil Morrison was absent!) lunch, the team continued down the ‘Big Easy’ mountain bike trail to Logan Park High School and onward to the start point. On the way we did see the restored Opoho Creek fish ponds which are home to the Banded Kokopu (a type of whitebait); and also the old Pelichet Bay infectious diseases hospital established in 1908 above Butts Road.
Highlight of the day had to be a hot drink at the warm and welcoming Emerson’s Brewery. Distance 10.5 KM.
– Neil and Margreet.
19. 11/3/2015. LPHS to Ravensbourne. Leaders: Jim and Betty.
Centennial Memorial (Elaine pic)
18. 27/11/2013. Both. Marina, LPHS, Memorial, Ravenbourne, Harbour Walkway, Marina. Leaders: Jim and Betty.
Route. Turned GPS on only at LPHS car-park. Sorry! Add abt 1.5 km gap from our cars to the 6.82 total (obscured) to get 8.32 km.
Steep climb. Somewhere between the 1 & 2 km indicators on map.
Memorial photo.(At the little tail between the 2 & 3 km indicators on map.)Lunch at 4 km indicator on map – I think.
16. 14/4/2010. Hikers. Signal Hill, Logan Park. Leaders: Bev H, Chris.
The two trampers for the day joined the hikers. A surprising group of mushrooms behind the Logan Park High School were quickly “gobbled” up. The steep hill beyond was heavily marked with zig-zag BMX tracks.
We tackled the climb.
Further up was a pleasant walk through an avenue of bush.
A lane through the trees
We sat on the steps of the Centennial Memorial for lunch. Several groups of people came and went before us, including one group who came to scatter the ashes of a family member. A member of a bus group offered to take our picture with Elaine’s camera.
Who thought to include the sign? (From Elaine’s positive)
Leaving the memorial, we made our way down through trees and cleared ground to Ravensbourne. This was the first time several of us had made the Ravensbourne-Signal Hill- Logan Park trip in the reverse direction.
Down at Ravensbourne, several ‘went to bed’ on a mattress stored outside beside a shop.
After that, it was along the walkway beside the railway and then back to the cars at Logan Park High School parking area. Thanks to Bev and Chris for a well-planned and guided walk. – Ian
15. 17/10/2007. Hikers. Logan Park, Signal hill. Medium. Leaders: Barbara and Arthur.
14. 27/9/2006. Trampers. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Signal hill, Opoho. Easy. Leaders: Evelyn C, Lesley S
13. 7/7/2004. Both. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Signal Hill. Medium. Leaders: Ian, Arthur and Barbara.
12. 17/9/2003. Hikers. Logan Park, Signal Hill. Medium. Leaders: Betty, Colleen.
11. 14/8/2002. Logan Park School – Signal Hill. Medium. Leaders: Molly, Hazel, Barbara McC.
10. 28/3/2001. Ravensbourne to Signal Hill. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary, Catherine.
9. 18/10/2000. Ravensbourne – Signal Hill Road. Leaders: Sabina, Anne, Wendy B
8. 19/5/1999. Ravensbourne, Adderley Terrace, Signal Hill. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary, Doreen.
7. 8/4/1998. Signal Hill, via West Harbour return via Opoho. Park at old Art Gallery. Leadrs: daphne, Shirley R.
6. 27/3/1996. Signal Memorial return Adderley Terrace. Leaders: Les and Mavis, Margaret D, Judy
5. 31/8/1994. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Adderley Tce, Signal Hill, Opoho. Medium. Leaders: Daphne, Margaret D, Mary L, Myrie.
4. 21/7/1993. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Adderley Terrace, Signal Hill, Opoho, Logan Park. Medium. Round Trip. Cars at Art Gallery. Leaders: Betty B, Daphne, Margaret D, Pet A
3. 28/8/1991 Signal Hill via West Harbour. Return via Opoho. Leaders: George, Barbara M, Evelyn M, Peg C
2. 2/5/1990 Signal Hill via Logan Point and up Adderley Terrace, Ravensbourne. Back through Opoho and Northern Cemetery. A good city walk with plenty of history. Average. One hill only. Leaders: Nancy, Margaret B, Bev M, Molie
1. 28/9/1988. Signal Hill Memorial. Interesting Dunedin history. Harbour views. Leaders: George, Peg C, Molly.
19. 15/11/2023. Hikers. Cleghorn Street to Signal Hill. Leaders Pam Clough and Jay Devlin
