more stats
1.4 miles
Distance
612 ft
Climb
-463 ft
Descent
518 ft
High Point
149 ft
Altitude change
38 ft
Altitude min
353 ft
Altitude start
502 ft
Altitude end
1.961%
Grade
-32.527%
Grade max
32.797%
Grade min
4,374 ft
Distance climb
3,190 ft
Distance down
57 ft
Distance flat

Observation Hill Loop Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    McMurdo Station
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    White (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    5 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #144511 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #138771 in Trail Running
    • #132734 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, DJ
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    October to February
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • TTFs on Trail
    Bridge

Words by the guys at McMurdo Station:

The Ob Hill Loop trail takes you out to Cape Armitage and around the back side of Observation Hill (see Ob Hill trail description) via a land route. Peace and solitude are experienced as you approach Cape Armitage from either direction.

Route
The Ob Hill Loop trail begins with a road walk at either end. You can access the trail from the road to Scott Base (just off the road as it begins a climb towards Ob Hill) or you may access by walking past Crary and the Helo Pad, across the pedestrian bridge and then by following the road as it climbs back up towards Ob Hill.

The trail is 1.37 miles long and the total loop distance is 2.7 miles. The trail can be walked in either direction with a steep climb as you approach the side slope behind Ob Hill. Care should be used if snow has covered the trail particularly in this area. The trail is marked by red sleeved bamboo poles.

Current Hazards
There is a steep side slope behind Ob Hill. Snow collects on the trail and can cause hazardous footing. Please report any trail hazards. The trail is located where lichens and other small plant life grows in the summer months. To minimize environmental impact users should remain on the designated trail at all times.

Access Info

You can access the trail from the road to Scott Base (just off the road as it begins a climb towards Ob Hill) or you may access by walking past Crary and the Helo Pad, across the pedestrian bridge and then by following the road as it climbs back up towards Ob Hill.

This trail is unsanctioned.

Recent Activity on Trail

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Observation Hill... Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Jan 27, 2026 @ 6:31am (Antarctica/McMurdo)
Jan 26, 2026
 Hero dirt. A couple of patches of snow/ice still on the west side, NBD. Lots of evidence that MTBs still frequently use the trail. I end up...
Dec 21, 2025 @ 6:57am (Antarctica/McMurdo)
Dec 20, 2025
 There's just a couple of sections on the south and soutwest side of Ob Hill that are covered in packed snow/ice, just be careful there. The rest...
Dec 28, 2024 @ 10:01am
Dec 28, 2024
 80% of the trail is snow-covered (powder, not pack) with knee-high drifts on the southeast side. I found it a bit challenging for trail running...
Jan 21, 2023 @ 10:36pm
Jan 21, 2023
 Trail is in great shape. Keep your eyes on the trail. Be sure to stop running if you want to oogle the views. Golfball, baseball, and softball...
Jan 5, 2023 @ 10:05pm
Jan 5, 2023
 Recent snow on the trail but there are workarounds, no worries!
more »
Status:
on Jan 27, 2026
Snow Covered
Avg: 4.24 (2 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to observation-hill-loop trailhead (-77.850106, 166.704659)

        Photos

        1 more »
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        hike
        52 |
        Dec 20, 2025 @ 12:49pm
        Dec 20, 2025
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        hike
        48 |
        Dec 20, 2025 @ 12:49pm
        Dec 20, 2025
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        hike
        50 |
        Dec 20, 2025 @ 12:48pm
        Dec 20, 2025
        report
        trailrun
        33 |
        Dec 27, 2024 @ 4:43pm
        Dec 27, 2024

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        1 Review & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About Observation Hill Loop

        ▼ Where is Observation Hill Loop located?
        Observation Hill Loop is located in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. It is part of the McMurdo Station trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -77.85011, 166.70466.
        ▼ How hard is Observation Hill Loop?
        Observation Hill Loop is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 1.961%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Observation Hill Loop?
        Observation Hill Loop has 612 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 463 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 38 ft to 518 ft.
        ▼ Is Observation Hill Loop a point to point trail?
        Observation Hill Loop is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ How long is Observation Hill Loop?
        Observation Hill Loop is 1.4 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on Observation Hill Loop?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on Observation Hill Loop. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Observation Hill Loop?
        Observation Hill Loop is best visited during: October to February.
        ▼ How busy is Observation Hill Loop?
        Observation Hill Loop is a less popular trail with lighter traffic. There have been 55 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 50 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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