Swampy Summit facts for kids
Swampy Summit is a well-known hill located about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) north of Dunedin, New Zealand. It stands tall at 739 metres (2,425 feet) above sea level.
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Where is Swampy Summit?
Swampy Summit is an important landmark near Dunedin. Its eastern side forms the western edge of the Leith Valley. Across this valley is another hill called Mount Cargill. A lower area known as the Leith Saddle is about 2,500 metres (1.5 miles) east of Swampy Summit's highest point.
Rivers Starting Here
Two rivers begin on the eastern side of Swampy Summit. These are the Water of Leith and the Waitati River. The Waitati River flows through the valley on the north side of the Leith Saddle.
What Makes Swampy Summit Special?
As its name suggests, Swampy Summit has a large wetland area. This special area covers about 48.4 hectares (120 acres) and is found southeast of the peak.
The Peat Bog Wetland
This wetland is mostly a peat bog. A peat bog forms when dead plants build up in a wet place over a very long time. This particular bog grew in a hollow near the summit. A type of plant called sphagnum moss has grown all over it. Just beyond this wetland is a smaller peak called Swampy Spur.
What's Around Swampy Summit?
To the west of Swampy Summit, the land slopes down into the valley of Whare Creek. This creek is also known as McKenzie's Creek and flows into the Silver Stream. A ridge connects Swampy Summit to another important peak, Flagstaff, which is about five kilometres (3 miles) to the south.
Exploring Swampy Summit
The slopes of Swampy Summit are popular for outdoor activities. There are several tracks for walking and mountain biking. One of these, the Swampy Ridge Track, goes all the way to the top of the hill.
Early Tracks and Roads
The very first track on Swampy Summit was made in the 1840s. An early settler named Johnny Jones created it. He used it to make his trips easier between his farm near Waikouaiti and the new settlement of Dunedin. Later, in the 1960s, a private road was built to the summit. This road was needed when telecommunications equipment was placed on and near the peak.
