Routes
Huts / campsites
Roadends
Summits
Passes / crossings
Scenic features
Junctions
DOC Land
Altitude: 179m to 943m. Gain: 425m. Loss: 1189m . Gradient: 8 deg (Gentle)
Skills:
A route into Nelson that strings together the Dun Mountain Trail, the ridge track over Fringed Hill, and forestry roads.
From Dun Saddle, follow the marked track down slightly to Coppermine Saddle, and turn left onto the Dun Mountain Trail — a wide, flat path that sidles the eastern side of Wells Ridge and Fringed Hill. It makes for lovely walking.
Where the Dun Mountain Track intersects with the track to Fringed Hill, at the nameless saddle between Pts. 753 and 812, switch to the track to Fringed Hill and climb towards Pt. 812. This track is significantly rougher and slower going than the Dun Mountain Track, but it is more direct. At Pt. 812, there is a track junction. Continue straight (NW) towards Pt. 732.
At Fringed Hill, descend the gravel road and descend along the road to the left. At the first switchback, there is a small gravel carpark, and on the bottom end of this carpark, a faint but followable track descends along the ridgeline through commercial forestry land. There is a mountainbike track adjacent — do not take the mountainbike track.
Eventually, around the 400m contour line, the ridge track intersects with a forestry access road also used by walkers and trail runners. This road descends via steep switchbacks to Tantragee Saddle.