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Baldwin Street
Baldwin Street, at Dunedin's Northern end is reputed by the
Guinness Book of Records
as being the steepest street in the
world. 35% gradient =
1:2.86
You are advised against taking a car up the street so no cheating
please. It is a very invigorating walk to the top on a cold day.
Only about a ten minute walk but you can sure feel it.
At its maximum,
the slope of Baldwin Street is approximately (19° or 35%) -
that is, for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the altitude
rises by 1 metre.
Looking up
Once at the top, just get your breath
back and enjoy the view. There is a drinking fountain up here too.
After this walk, lunch in the Botanical gardens would be the perfect
compliment, followed by a stroll. Then let the kids feed the ducks
or just play around the park.
Looking down
35 degree gradient =1:2.86
The
street's steepness was unintentional. As with many other parts of
Dunedin, and indeed New Zealand, streets were laid out in a grid
pattern with no consideration for the terrain, usually by planners
in London.
The
street is the venue for an annual event in Dunedin, the "Baldwin
Street Gutbuster". Every summer since the mid-1990s
(usually in February), this exercise in fitness and balance involves
athletes running from the base of the street to the top and back
down again. The event attracts up to 1000 competitors annually.
Since 2002, a
further charity event has been held annually in July, which involves
the rolling of over 10,000
Jaffas
(spherical chocolates covered in a solid red coating). Each
jaffa is sponsored by one person, with prizes to the winner and
funds raised going to charity.
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