Climb the World’s Steepest Street: Baldwin Street, Dunedin, NZ

In the 19th century, British surveyor Charles Kettle superimposed an orderly grid that had worked well on relatively flat terrain on a towering hillside in New Zealand. Thanks to Kettle’s misguided efforts, a residential street in Dunedin known as Baldwin Street has a 19-degree slope. Guinness World Records determined that Baldwin Street’s nearly 35-degree gradient is the steepest street in the world.

Travelers who aren’t afraid of working their hamstrings and breaking a sweat can climb the 1,150-foot street. Even though every house is perfectly level, Baldwin Street’s extreme gradient creates an optical illusion that makes each house on the street look like a slanted cartoon house that could slide into the valley below at any moment.

Visitors who reach the top of Baldwin Street are greeted by a water fountain, a bench, and a mural commemorating the steepest of steep streets. There is also a plaque celebrating a man who defied gravity by somehow managing to roller skate to the top of Baldwin Street. The stamina required to traverse Baldwin Street is rewarded by a magnificent view of a lush green valley.

Baldwin Street is home to a handful of races and charity events, including a benefit race where thousands of Jaffa candies—round candies with an orange-flavored chocolate center—are rolled down the street. Spectators bet on which candies will cross the finish line first, and all proceeds are donated to charity.

If the view from Baldwin Street has you yearning for an even more spectacular panoramic view, consider hiking to the top of Mount Cargill. With an elevation of nearly 2,220 feet, Mount Cargill is the highest peak in Dunedin. The summit of Mount Cargill offers a breathtaking view of Otago Harbour and the surrounding mountains. It takes nearly 3.5 hours to hike to the top of Mount Cargill, but traversing a forested trail brimming with native birds such as fantails is certainly worth the effort.

Don’t let the fact that Baldwin Street is tucked away in a quiet suburb deter you from visiting. There are boundless opportunities for zany photos, stunning views, and a cardiovascular workout that will eclipse any strenuous workout that you might do at the gym on leg day. Dunedin is celebrated for its striking natural beauty. The tip-top of Baldwin Street is one of the best places to enjoy one of the most stunning vistas that you will ever see.