The Kilmog

The Kilmog (or Kilmog Hill) is a notoriously steep stretch of State Highway 1 in the South Island of New Zealand.

North of Dunedin, the rough hills of the Silverpeaks range reach to the Pacific Ocean coast, and the main highway north traverses a section of these hills between Waitati and Waikouaiti. In the five kiloetre stretch from Evansdale, at the northern end of Blueskin Bay, the road climbs from sea level to an altitude of 300 m - the highest point on the highway south of Amberley in north Canterbury. It then drops nearly as steeply into the coastal floodplains of the Waikouaiti River.

This stretch of road is prone to landslips, and is often closed by snow in winter. A narrow winding alternative route by-passing the Kilmog follows the coast past the settlements of Warrington and Seacliff, but this is not recommended for heavy vehicles.

The hill's name is believed to be a corruption of the Southern Maori word Kilimoko, the name of a species of manuka tree.