Sandymount
The walk to Sandymount is perhaps one of the flattest on the PeakBagging.co.nz list, but the spectacular coastal scenery of Lovers Leap and the Chasm are amongst the best in New Zealand. It is also only a short drive from Dunedin.
| List Status | Official |
| Elevation | 320 m (1,050 ft) |
| Location/List | South Island, New Zealand |
| Region | Otago/Southland |
| Location Coordinates | 45° 53′ 29″ S, 170° 40′ 21″ E |
| Nearest Town/s | Dunedin
|
| Recommended Route | |
|---|---|
Duration  |
1 hour (loop) |
| Distance | 3.4 km (2.1 mi) |
| Start/End Points | Sandymount Roadend |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
| Track conditions |
Track |
| Season |
Nov to July (closed for lambing Aug 1 to Oct 31) |
| Sights | Lovers Leap, The Chasm |
| Hazards | Steep cliffs, exposed to coastal weather |
Getting There
By Car
From Dunedin, take Portsmouth Drive, and turn left over the causeway and then right on to Marne St. Head left up Larnach Rd, and it will then join Highcliff Rd . Turn left and continue up Highcliff Rd utntil you some to Sandymount Road on your right.
Google Earth Map
- You can also
view Sandymount in Google Earth
NZ Topographic Map
Our Recommended Route
You can walk the Sandmount/Lovers Leap loop in any direction. If you want to end with Sandymount itself, start by walking through the atmospheric stand of Macrocarpa trees that line the roadway (you may recognise this location as one that featured in old video by Dunedin band ‘The Chills’). After crossing a stile and crossing an area tussock, you will come to the junction of the track to The Chasm. After viewing The Chasm, return in the junction and continue past the equally awe inspiring Lovers Leap.
You then loop around the southern side of Sandymount before climbing up to the small summit. At the summit there is a plane table and excellent views of the coast.
Height Profile
