At 676m, Mt Cargill is one of the hills that dominates Dunedin,s skyline. The track begins by meandering through a popular picnic area before crossing Lindsay Creek and starting to gain height with a vengeance.

The initial section passes through a pine plantation, and is crisscrossed with death-defying but popular mountain bike tracks. As the track gains altitude, the pines are replaced with native forest, with broadleaf or kapuka prominent. This is the species which gives Cargill its Maori name, Kapukataumahaka, which refers to the snaring of pigeons as they ate kapuka berries.

When Mt Cargill comes into view, capped with its imposing television transmitter tower, there is still plenty of altitude to gain before reaching the summit. At a track junction in a saddle, head right for the Organ Pipes, a collection of basalt columns of volcanic origin. Five minutes on, a sign indicates a detour up a rough track to Buttars Peak. This is a worthy side trip to a raised rocky outcrop some 200m across and is better known as the Organ Pipes. To the west is Mt Cargill (676m). On a clear day, there are great views to be had in all directions.

Returning to the main track, descended towards the slopes of Mt Holmes (575m), dropping down some slippery boardwalk sections. Then return the way you came to the road end, perhaps taking in the short climb to Mt Cargill summit.