Sandymount

Sandymount is a reserve and the high point immediately to the northeast of Sandfly Bay on the Pacific coast of the Otago Peninsula. The main access is along metal Sandymount Road from Highcliff Road.

The 20-minute hike to the top of the 320-metre-high mountain is signposted by the car park. You can then walk down the mountain on a second track that starts just before the top and connects with the loop track that goes around the mountain. The loop takes you to Lovers Leap and the Chasm on the coast.⁠

Sandymount is largely covered by low-regenerating native scrub and flax. The path up from the car park is moderately rocky and easy, although the path down to the loop track is more akin to walking on a sandhill in places, hence the name. When you get to the bottom, head left on the track for the rest of the loop and right if you want to walk down to Sandfly Bay or for a flat walk back to the car park.⁠

The views around the surrounding region are excellent throughout this hike. The top was overgrown, but you can push through easily for a better viewpoint over Allans Beach and onto Mt Charles to the northeast. To the north and northwest is Hoopers Inlet and surrounding hills, and to the west is Sandfly Bay, best seen while walking down to the loop track.

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