The route is described from south to north (Clyde to Bannockburn).

From the car park on Hawksburn Road, cross a stile and follow yellow marker pegs to a 4WD track.

After 2.5 km the track forks – take the branch straight ahead (marked with pegs) that stays on the main ridge crest for the next 3 km until the boundary fence between Earnscleugh and Cairnmuir Stations is reached. This is crossed via another stile.

For the next 1 km, there is no 4WD track to follow but the track is well-marked and descends between Fish and Jackson Creeks following a fence line on the ridge crest. After crossing another fence line, it picks up a 4WD track again.

Turn right here, following the markers, and head northeast towards the Cairnmuir Hill trig. The trig is a short, 300 m detour off the track and well worth the panoramic view across Lake Dunstan towards Leaning Rock.

From Cairnmuir Hill, the track heads northwest along the ridge then drops into the middle reaches of Cairnmuir Gully. There is a well-preserved boundary rider’s stone hut from the 1860s where the 4WD track crosses the creek. From there, the track climbs out of the gully until another fence line and track junction is reached. Turn right towards Cromwell and follow the marked 4WD track down to the Cornish Point Road car park.

There are two car parks:

Hawksburn Road (Clyde). From Clyde, cross the Clyde Bridge and head south towards Alexandra on Earnscleugh Road. Take the first right turn into Lookout Road, also known as the Clyde-Bannockburn Road or Hawksburn Road. The car park is signposted at the first gate, about 3 km up the road. Note that Hawksburn Road is steep, rutted and rocky. It is negotiable with care by 2WD cars for most of the year, but a 4WD may be required in winter or in adverse weather conditions.

Cornish Point Road (Bannockburn). From Cromwell, cross over the Bannockburn Bridge and take the first left turn into Cornish Point Road. Follow the road for approximately 4 km to the car park, sign posted on the right.