Despite its proximity to central Dunedin, the Leith Valley retains a wild, secluded aura. It's easy to see why the Victorians, susceptible as they were to a romantic landscape, made their homes here despite the lack of winter sun.
They went to extreme lengths, in fact. On the hill in front of you as you approach Glenleith you will see a white two-storied house of a style known as Carpenter Gothic. This is Leithendel. It was built in 1864 several kilometres away at City Rd and shifted to its present location in 1885.
Today, carefully maintained English-style gardens and well-preserved old houses suggest that the valley's residents also appreciate the character of the pretty Water of Leith tumbling in its rocky bed and the steep enclosing cliffs.
If you are biking with your family, schedule a stop at Malvern Park. While the kids swing, check out the row of vertical poles spanning the Leith. This intriguing installation, courtesy of the Otago Regional Council, is designed to catch flood debris which otherwise would lodge under the bridge further down.
From the Upper Leith walkway, branching off Woodhaugh St, you can view another flood protection measure: a boulder trap. The walkway provides access to a perfect grassy picnic spot by the Leith but isn't suitable for novice bikers.
At the end of your ride, treat yourself to an icecream, visit the ducks at Woodhaugh Gardens, arguably Dunedin's best maintained park (noting that biking in the park is not allowed) or for an overview of the valley and the hills to the north climb the Bullock Track to Prospect Park.
Distance: About 3km each way
How to get there: Heading north on George St, turn left into Duke St and park opposite Woodhaugh Gardens.
The route: Sealed road. Bike up Duke St (which turns into Malvern St) to the bus stop at the intersection with Fulton Rd, giving way to traffic coming down Fulton Rd, continue biking until the road gets too steep for comfort, then freewheel back down to Woodhaugh Gardens.
Halfway down the valley, Woodhaugh St provides a quieter and less shaded alternative route parallel to Malvern St. The small side streets - Queen St North, Harden St and the first bit of Patmos Ave - are interesting side trips.
Watch out for: Traffic, including buses on weekdays, especially at rush hours.
What you will see:
• Recent landscaping work at the magnificent brick See House, which the Anglican Diocese had built in 1900 to house its bishops.
• A white house with unusual Mediterranean-style arches on Duke St. And across the road on Queen St North four substantial houses, including one with a tower which looks Mediterranean but isn't.
The four houses were originally one enormous weatherboard residence called Dale House, designed by H. F. Hardy, which was carved up in 1902 and the portion with the tower subsequently roughcast.
• The handsome Woodhaugh Hotel on the lower intersection between Malvern St and Woodhaugh St.
• At the upper intersection between these streets, a bluestone house has been built to fit the corner's funny angle.
• The Leith Valley touring park: site of New Zealand's first machine-made paper mill.
• Tumble-down villas-turned-student flats, redeemed by iron lace and gracious trees.
• The horrible weedy creeper Muelenbeckia, smothering vegetation on the steep slopes above the valley floor. What a shame.
• The brooding brown flank of Flagstaff presiding over everything.
- Meg Davidson