Full details of my walk
Grovers Hill walk is really lovely, it’s a short walk you can do while in Roxburgh town with bonus views out over the stunning valley at the top of Frog Rock lookout. It’s a great loop walk of 3.6k which will take you around 1 hour allowing for time to take photos as well.
Unfortunately, a mini hurricane came through which devastated the pine trees, so the council decided to take them all out in the name of safety. Now it’s very bear walking around and not the same at all.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Roxburgh, South Island, New Zealand
- Time needed: 1 hour walk
- Distance: 4.2 km
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Bikes allowed: No
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Loop
- Elevation: 100m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: Yes, in King George V Memorial Park
- Dogs: Yes, on a leash
- Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
Summary points about this walk
Walk Highlights
Track Quality
Hazards
Transport
Water
Driving Instructions
Shops & Restaurants Nearby
Area & Trail History
Map Location
Points of interest along the walk
Start of the Grovers Hill Track Walk
Start the walk at King George Memorial Park at the north east end of Roxburgh town. Walk along Berwick Street then turn left into Liddle St.
At the next intersection go right into Teviot St. When you get to the Dump Station that’s where you start to walk in, look for the sign saying Frog Rock.
It feels like you are walking down someone’s driveway, which you are, but all good. At the end of the drive keep walking just a little bit and you’ll see the grassy track go left around the side of a shed. Walk through the gate and off you go.
Frog Rock Lookout
When you get to the first yellow marker just after the small hill climb, turn right. Look out for it or you can easily walk right past it. You’ll start walking uphill now all the way to the top.
Just before the very top, you’ll turn right at the sign where you’ll arrive at Frog Rock Lookout. Totally stunning views out over Roxburgh town and the Teviot Valley.
Walking in what was the pine trees
After leaving Frog Rock lookout, you’ll take a gentle walk downhill. Close to the bottom you’ll turn left, don’t go through the gate on your right. Well, you can, this track will take you out through the Golf Course and further up the main road. But that’s another walk. Just keep a good eye on the yellow track markers.
Views of the Clutha River
As you follow the track along side the Clutha River you’ll get to a wonderful picnic spot. Stop here and take in the lovely views of the Clutha River. Not far on you’ll complete the loop and met up with the track again. Go back the same way to your car.
6 Responses
P.S:
Oh what a lovely track “IT USED TO BE”, until some ruffians cut down (milled) all the forrest – for logs, from up there, completely screwing the delightfully easy walking track, by obliteraing all signs of the track, along the ground.
Maybe in a few years time, someone will again “create” the walking track, although, without that forrest there, it takes away from the beauty of the area.
I totally agree with you Keith, thanks for sharing.
Wish I’d read the comment above before heading off to check this walk out. It’s been 8 months and there’s been no improvement in this tracks condition…. Cut my legs to ribbons, there’s no track to speak of for most of the way round and it is indeed a wasteland thats covered in nettles and thistles. I get the comment above re the hurrricane but really this should be closed and clearly marked as such till it’s been sorted out….
Hi Sally-Ann, yes it’s dissappointing the track is not fixed up yet. I agree, the walk should be closed. Thanks so much for your comments.
Hi there
We walked the track yesterday (17.4.22). The first half down to the river at the end of Grovers Hill Rd is ok, but the walk up to Frog Rock is a wasteland following recent pine harvesting – we found three bent and flattened yellow markers amongst the detritus. It is possible to miss the round loop we took and ascend to Frog Rock lookout from near the start of the walk, but there is no signage, and no track to follow until higher up, with a steep hill climb at the bottom covered in pine needles. All ok for those fit and able, but won’t be a pleasant walk until the forest harvesting work has been remediated – that’s my next email to the Council 🙂
Hi Paul, yes the track through to Frog Rock has definitely changed. It’s not actually due to pine harvesting, we had a mini hurricane blow through which literally knocked over all the pine trees. The council decided it wasn’t safe to leave any of the remaining pines there so is taking them all out. The local walking committee had just started to put up brand new signage when the storm came through. They have been waiting for all the trees to be removed before going back in and finishing the signage. Hopefully, it won’t be too far away before the new signs are up.