Organ Pipes Track
Organ Pipes Track
4.5
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4.5
23 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Jon M
1,202 contributions
Feb 2019
The track is a fairly simple track, though it's a bit of a climb, and the Organ Pipes look impressive, though it's a bit of a scramble to get up to them. Nice view from the top, too. Worth a visit if you're in the area.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kasejason
Chicago, IL355 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
The Organ Pipes are a series of hexagonal pillars that rise up out of the Mount Cargill forest. They have been eroded over the ages and now there are countless fallen columns littering the mountainside at the base of the organ pipes. It is possible to climb to the top of the pipes for a brilliant view and a king-of-the-world feeling.
The hike to the Organ Pipes is an unrelenting uphill jaunt all the way up from the road. An intense 30 minutes will lead you to the base of the organ pipes. From there, it is another 5 minute scramble to the top of the pipes. We found that it was very windy and exposed at the top.
To reach the organ pipes from Dunedin, take North Road to Mount Cargill Road and drive for about 2.5 kilometers. You will find a small parking area on the left side of the road with a sign indicating the start of the Organ Pipes trail. There were signs in the parking area warning of car break-ins, so make sure that you don't have any valuables visible in your car. If you are reasonably fit, you should be able to make it to the top of the organ pipes and back within an hour and a half.
The hike to the Organ Pipes is an unrelenting uphill jaunt all the way up from the road. An intense 30 minutes will lead you to the base of the organ pipes. From there, it is another 5 minute scramble to the top of the pipes. We found that it was very windy and exposed at the top.
To reach the organ pipes from Dunedin, take North Road to Mount Cargill Road and drive for about 2.5 kilometers. You will find a small parking area on the left side of the road with a sign indicating the start of the Organ Pipes trail. There were signs in the parking area warning of car break-ins, so make sure that you don't have any valuables visible in your car. If you are reasonably fit, you should be able to make it to the top of the organ pipes and back within an hour and a half.
Written 16 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on2it2
Tauranga, New Zealand57 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
Enter 298 Mount Cargill Road into your GPS and you will find it easily. This is a rural area with a fairly narrow winding road. There is a little carpark on the side of the road. with Graham's Bush Track on the downhill side. You will find another track heading uphill which is the one you need. The track is very good with lots of steps formed from local rocks to make it easier going. You will need to have a good level of fitness as it is uphill all the way but you can take it slowly. Thankfully you are walking through beautiful native bush the whole way so it is cool walking in the middle of summer. When you get to the bottom of the organ pipes you will love looking up at them. Only two of our party decided to climb to the top and it was a real scramble over the fallen rock columns. Once up the top of the column of fallen columns it was not that easy to find where to go. head to your left and bush bash to the top. You will come over the top and that is where you will find the most awesome views and a look down the columns. Well worth the trouble but be very careful on the climb as the odd column moves under your hand.
Written 7 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mooseandbok2006
Christchurch, New Zealand1,610 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We parked in the car park on Mount Cargill Road and walked all the way to Mount Cargill, for amazing views, before coming back the same way and detouring 5 minutes to the Organ Pipes. What a lovely walk, although we did come across some very muddy patches along the way. Make sure you have decent walking shoes on as the terrain is very varied. Be prepared to scramble up the rocks at the Organ Pipes. I think we must have looked like monkeys climbing up and down the rocks, but the view was worth it. Absolutely fascinating rock formations, it makes you wonder how on earth they were formed. Allow a few hours to really enjoy the walk and the views from the communication tower.
Written 28 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Tampa, FL4,394 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
This is a steep trek up from a small car park to a memorable location with the uncommonly shaped rocks and a great view.
The path is formed into steps and is manageable. The day we went it had rained but there is good drainage.
Highly recommended either as a stand alone trek or as part of the MT. Cargill hike.
The path is formed into steps and is manageable. The day we went it had rained but there is good drainage.
Highly recommended either as a stand alone trek or as part of the MT. Cargill hike.
Written 5 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samandhenry
Dunedin, New Zealand547 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Accessed either from the Top of Mt Cargill (under the tv mast) or from below (Bethunes Gully Track) The former is the shorter, and a pleasant walk. Fascinating rock formations well worth the effort
Written 25 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen G
Tauranga, New Zealand131 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
As a walk this is pleasant, but a word of caution, this should only be done by the sure footed.
The track in is dirt and stone and has some steep parts, so even with a little precipitation this track is quite slippery: wear good shoes.
Secondly, the very last section to the organ pipes is a steep climb over stones and rocks: not for the faint hearted or kids.
Parking is very limited at the start too, maybe for 4-6 cars only, depending on how they are parked!
The track in is dirt and stone and has some steep parts, so even with a little precipitation this track is quite slippery: wear good shoes.
Secondly, the very last section to the organ pipes is a steep climb over stones and rocks: not for the faint hearted or kids.
Parking is very limited at the start too, maybe for 4-6 cars only, depending on how they are parked!
Written 7 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Austin Mek
Bedok South, Singapore3 contributions
Dec 2019
Landslide? Organ Pipes are gone... still a great hike though! Great views on Mt Cargill of the City!
Written 3 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curious00208245326
Cooroy, Australia7 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
I started from the Mt Cargill road car park. As others have said, it’s a pretty tiny little carpark and can only really fit a few cars in on the side of a winding rural road.
I don’t consider myself fit in any way, I can walk on flat ground all day with no issue but a couple of minutes uphill and I’m panting and red faced but I still made it up. Multiple quick, breath catching breaks and I made it up the steep incline in about 20 minutes. Well worn path with some steps along the way, mostly in the shade. There’s a series of steps exposed to the sun and then after this the climb is a lot more gentle. The path then forks with the left side heading to the pipes and the right continuing on Mt Cargill. This is well sign posted. I was then out of breath again for the climb up the fallen stones but that was pure fear hahahaha. It’s actually pretty easy to climb up the stones, just take it really slow and test where you’re putting your feet before weight bearing as some are a little loose. Excellent views over the peninsula await.
All-in-all, a moderately difficult but relatively short walk that’s well worth the views.
I don’t consider myself fit in any way, I can walk on flat ground all day with no issue but a couple of minutes uphill and I’m panting and red faced but I still made it up. Multiple quick, breath catching breaks and I made it up the steep incline in about 20 minutes. Well worn path with some steps along the way, mostly in the shade. There’s a series of steps exposed to the sun and then after this the climb is a lot more gentle. The path then forks with the left side heading to the pipes and the right continuing on Mt Cargill. This is well sign posted. I was then out of breath again for the climb up the fallen stones but that was pure fear hahahaha. It’s actually pretty easy to climb up the stones, just take it really slow and test where you’re putting your feet before weight bearing as some are a little loose. Excellent views over the peninsula await.
All-in-all, a moderately difficult but relatively short walk that’s well worth the views.
Written 3 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BelleNovaScotia
Nova Scotia, Canada109 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We rented a car from Pegasus at the cruise port and drove to the Organ pipes trail. Fairly short up hill hike through lovely wooded area. Lots of singing birds. You come out at the bottom of the organ pipes and need to climb up the rocks to get a better look! Not for people that have mobility issues.
Written 10 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We rented a car. You could probably get a taxi.
Written 30 July 2019
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