Flagstaff Track is a short walk that provides a way up or down Flagstaff from the west. It can be used as one of several alternative starts to Dunedin’s Skyline Walk. Start on Flagstaff Whare Flat Road at the carpark known as the Bull Ring. The obvious gravelled foot-track leads firstly through manuka scrub and then through tussock grassland. The summit of Flagstaff is 1.5 km from the Bull Ring. For further information, see the Dunedin City Council leaflet Skyline Walks. Bicycles are not allowed on Flagstaff Track. It is heavily used by walkers and is unsuitable for shared use.
You’re out of the manuka scrub now and into the tussock and flax. This used to be bush but was burnt in Maori times, then the tussock was grazed by European settlers. Now the tussocks are being overgrown by flax and then manuka, and eventually it will all be bush again. The most recent fire to go through the area was in early 1976 and it went from about the boundary with the manuaka that you walk through and over the other side of the summit. This is an area that has been greatly studied as it is slowly reverting back to the natural cover.
Been one of the trustees that looks after some private property on the nearby "Firebreak" track I often do the loop track by going up the fire break track from the Bull Ring , over to the top of Flagstaff and then down the Flagstaff Track. This is the 4th time that I've been along this track this month. Be aware that during a winter storm the area can be quite exposed and snow can be expected so take appropriate clothing.
Skyline walks http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/walking-tracks/skyline-walks
Tracks map http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/webmaps/tracksmap