Ross Creek Reservoir

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek

Great running, with many possibilities for connections with other area trails.

From the intersection with the Upper Leith Walkway the signed Ross Creek trail climbs into a gorge created by long-abandoned quarries alongside its namesake creek. An unsigned ford near an old water pipe marks the spot where the School Creek trail heads off to the west. The trail emerges from the dense forest at the base of the Ross Creek Reservoir dam, and climbs steeply to the dam's top. From here views across the reservoir include the aging "Valve Tower", one of Dunedin's iconic sights that rises like a miniature fairy-tale tower from the water and is connected to the dam by a long, floating catwalk (closed to public access). From the dam, a loop trail can be traveled in either direction around the reservoir.