The Water of Leith's source is 100 metres to the south of Leith Saddle, at a height of 380 metres above sea level.[1]
The Leith Saddle Track is a 3.5 hour climb through native cloud forest to Swampy Spur and Swampy Summit with links to other walkways in the Silverpeaks and Dunedin's hills.[2]
The Dunedin Northern Motorway has an at-grade intersection at the Leith Saddle summit with Leith Valley Road and Waitati Valley Road. Both have low motor vehicle volumes and have metalled surfaces, making them attractive to cyclists.[3]
Transit New Zealand signalled a long term intention in 2004 to realign SH1 in the vicinity of Leith Saddle; construction would require removal of some old-growth forest.[4]
The forest here features a species of Libocedrus, variously called Pahautea, Kaikawaka or New Zealand cedar, Libocedrus bidwillii, which is unusual in this region of New Zealand.[5]