Sawpit Gully Track in Arrowtown is a fabulous three-hour loop. The track takes you to a saddle behind German Hill, following Te Araroa. Then, it follows the historic and rugged Sawpit Gully before returning along the spectacular Arrow Gorge.
The track starts just over the bridge at the west end of the car park. Taking the clockwise route, follow a 4WD track, then turn off onto the foot track. After a brief stroll alongside a creek, there is a steep 200-metre climb to the saddle between German Hill and Brow Peak on Te Araroa. When you reach the brief walk through native beech trees, you are getting close to the top.
On the way up, look back for an excellent view of the Remarkables; you can easily pick out the ski field road. The saddle is quite exposed at 700 metres, with golden tussock and alpine plants. You can add to the walk by hiking up German Hill (only another 60 vertical metres) or continuing on Te Araroa (Big Hill Track) to Macetown, where there is a campsite. Otherwise, continue on the main track towards Sawpit Gully, which runs around the northeast side of German Hill.
The track drops down from the saddle into Sawpit Gully, ending at the Arrow Gorge. Keep an eye out for the unmarked side track, which takes you to the ruin of an old stone hut. It is marked on the Topo Map.
After the hut, the stream drops quickly as you enter the steepest section of the gully, with a series of small tumbling waterfalls. You quickly lose sight of it as the track hugs the almost clifflike east side of the gully. Although narrow and rough in places with the odd exposed drop, the scrub at the edge provides security. Reaching the gully's end, you get views of the Remarkables again. Watch for a couple of unmarked short tracks to cliff-edge viewpoints up and down the Arrow Gorge.
Then, there is a final drop to the Arrow Gorge. From there, you can take a second loop track, the New Chum Gully Track, for a 90-minute walk back to Arrowtown or head back along the Arrow Gorge Track for a 20-minute walk to complete the loop. The stream from Sawpit Gully crosses under the track a short distance along the gorge towards Arrowtown, making for a very pretty waterfall and rest spot.
