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The trail is either hanging from the rock, cut into
the rock or cut right through it. The banks are stark
except for an abundance of wild thyme and the
ever present lupins clinging to the rocks. Along this
section you will notice (if you keen an eye out) for
the drainage tunnels (there are 13 of them) that were
drilled into the hillside in the mid 1990’s in attempt to
alleviate landslips into the Clutha River. You will know
when you reach the gully as this is where you’ll find
the coffee and burger barges moored up against the
side of the trail, a welcome sight.
Cairnmuir Gully to Halfway Hut: 8.4km, grade 2-3
We eased our way past the crowds at the coffee
stop towards the Cairnmuir Ladder, an aptly
named section of the track that if it wasn’t for the
switchbacks, would require a near vertical climb.
Although you may feel like grinding it out to the top,
make sure you take time to stop and enjoy the view
halfway up, it’s also the perfect excuse to take a
breather. From here you can see most of the trail you
have ridden along as well as the stonework faces of
the Cairnmuir slide that was built to protect the river
from a major landslide. The top of this section is the
highest point on the track so the ride down was loads
of fun. Towards the bottom we crossed Hugo Bridge,
a narrow swing bridge traversing the gorge below.
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