Glenorchy - Gateway to Mt. Aspiring National Park
Mt. Aspiring National Park and the Glenorchy area have endless walking tracks to explore.
Tracks range in length from short leisurely strolls, to multi day back country tracks.
Tracks range in length from short leisurely strolls, to multi day back country tracks.
Nearby Day Walks
The Log House is an ideal base for exploring day walks in the area. Please click the links below for DOC info on each track.
The Glenorchy Walkway, Glenorchy Lagoon
Glenorchy Lagoon & Walkway
The Glenorchy Walkway is a loop track creating a circuit around Glenorchy. The Loop features gravel tracks and wooden raised walkways through the wetlands just North of the township. The Lagoon is an excellent opportunity to view wildlife, in particular Black Swans. The Walkway offers stunning views of the mountains, lake, and wetlands. The Walkway is an excellent walking or jogging track right at the back door.
Length: 30 Minutes - 2 Hours
Start: Directly in front of the Log House
Fitness Required: Low (Mostly flat ground, but can be uneven)
The Glenorchy Walkway is a loop track creating a circuit around Glenorchy. The Loop features gravel tracks and wooden raised walkways through the wetlands just North of the township. The Lagoon is an excellent opportunity to view wildlife, in particular Black Swans. The Walkway offers stunning views of the mountains, lake, and wetlands. The Walkway is an excellent walking or jogging track right at the back door.
Length: 30 Minutes - 2 Hours
Start: Directly in front of the Log House
Fitness Required: Low (Mostly flat ground, but can be uneven)
Diamond Creek Walkway
Diamond Creek Track
Diamond Creek is a popular spot for anglers and boasts large numbers of Trout & Salmon. The Diamond Creek Track follows the true left of Diamond Creek to Lake Reid. The Views are beautiful, and the track leisurely. Fish can often be spotted easily from the track. This track can become boggy during wet periods.
Length: About 1 Hour Return
Start: 15 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Low (Mostly flat ground, but can be uneven)
Diamond Creek is a popular spot for anglers and boasts large numbers of Trout & Salmon. The Diamond Creek Track follows the true left of Diamond Creek to Lake Reid. The Views are beautiful, and the track leisurely. Fish can often be spotted easily from the track. This track can become boggy during wet periods.
Length: About 1 Hour Return
Start: 15 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Low (Mostly flat ground, but can be uneven)
Mt. Alfred, Looking at Dart River & Lake Wakatipu
Mt. Alfred Track
Mt. Alfred sits in between the Rees & Dart Rivers. Most of the mountain is private land, but there is a public DOC track on the Western (Dart River) side of the mountain. The track is a steady zigzag uphill climb through native beech forest. The climb can be steep at times, and slippery towards the top with loose rock and snow grass. The views from the top are well worth the climb. Permission from the farmer is required before accessing the top.
Length: 6 - 8 Hours Round Trip
Start Point: 15 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium - High
Mt. Alfred sits in between the Rees & Dart Rivers. Most of the mountain is private land, but there is a public DOC track on the Western (Dart River) side of the mountain. The track is a steady zigzag uphill climb through native beech forest. The climb can be steep at times, and slippery towards the top with loose rock and snow grass. The views from the top are well worth the climb. Permission from the farmer is required before accessing the top.
Length: 6 - 8 Hours Round Trip
Start Point: 15 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium - High
One of the Whakaari Reserve Walks
Whakaari Reserve Walks
The Whakaari Reserve area features multiple tracks including Mt Judah Track, Heather Jock Track, and the Mt McIntosh Loop. These tracks vary in length and fitness levels required. The Whakaari Reserve area was used for Scheelite Mining in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Some old mining huts can be seen on the tracks, along with newer more modern DOC huts. Mountain Bikes and horses are permitted on some of the tracks.
Length: Varies (30 Minutes - 10 Hours)
Start Point: 5 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Varies
The Whakaari Reserve area features multiple tracks including Mt Judah Track, Heather Jock Track, and the Mt McIntosh Loop. These tracks vary in length and fitness levels required. The Whakaari Reserve area was used for Scheelite Mining in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Some old mining huts can be seen on the tracks, along with newer more modern DOC huts. Mountain Bikes and horses are permitted on some of the tracks.
Length: Varies (30 Minutes - 10 Hours)
Start Point: 5 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Varies
Beech Forest, Lake Sylvan Loop Track
Lake Sylvan Loop Track
The Lake Sylvan Loop track is a pleasant walk through native beech forest. Follow the orange markers on the trees for about 40 Minutes to reach Lake Sylvan, a beautiful mountain lake surrounded by forest. Bird life is abundant with a good chance of seeing Bush Robins, Parakeets, and other native birds. This track can be done one way or as a loop around the old tramline. The track can get boggy and very muddy in wet conditions.
Length: 1 - 2 Hours
Start Point: 20 Minute Drive from Glenorchy, on Routeburn Road
Fitness Required: Low
The Lake Sylvan Loop track is a pleasant walk through native beech forest. Follow the orange markers on the trees for about 40 Minutes to reach Lake Sylvan, a beautiful mountain lake surrounded by forest. Bird life is abundant with a good chance of seeing Bush Robins, Parakeets, and other native birds. This track can be done one way or as a loop around the old tramline. The track can get boggy and very muddy in wet conditions.
Length: 1 - 2 Hours
Start Point: 20 Minute Drive from Glenorchy, on Routeburn Road
Fitness Required: Low
Elfin Bay, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Rere Loop Track
Lake Rere Loop Track
Lake Rere can be accessed 1 way or as a Loop Track (joining the Greenstone Track). The start of the track is about a 40 minute drive from Glenorchy, by the Greenstone River. The terrain of the track varies - meandering through native beech forest, crossing through open farmland & fields, and walking along Lake Wakatipu. At Lake Rere there is a nice open meadow, the perfect spot for a picnic (although there are sandflies!). Native birds can be seen on the track, and occasionally deer are spotted.
Length: 4 - 6 Hours Return
Start Point: 40 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium
Lake Rere can be accessed 1 way or as a Loop Track (joining the Greenstone Track). The start of the track is about a 40 minute drive from Glenorchy, by the Greenstone River. The terrain of the track varies - meandering through native beech forest, crossing through open farmland & fields, and walking along Lake Wakatipu. At Lake Rere there is a nice open meadow, the perfect spot for a picnic (although there are sandflies!). Native birds can be seen on the track, and occasionally deer are spotted.
Length: 4 - 6 Hours Return
Start Point: 40 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium
The Glacierburn, Humbolt Mtn Range
Glacier Burn Track
The Glacier Burn Track climbs through the Beech Forest before opening up to Glacier Basin. Glacier Basin offers beautiful views of the impressive cliffs above. Turn around and Glenorchy & Lake Wakatipu can be seen far below in the distance. Please note that avalanches are common in Glacier Basin in Winter & Spring. It is not recommended to go above the bush line in the winter & spring months.
Length: 2-4 Hours Return
Start Point: 25 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium
The Glacier Burn Track climbs through the Beech Forest before opening up to Glacier Basin. Glacier Basin offers beautiful views of the impressive cliffs above. Turn around and Glenorchy & Lake Wakatipu can be seen far below in the distance. Please note that avalanches are common in Glacier Basin in Winter & Spring. It is not recommended to go above the bush line in the winter & spring months.
Length: 2-4 Hours Return
Start Point: 25 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium
The Routeburn Track - About 2-3 Hours from Road End
Routeburn Day Walk
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealands "Great Walks" and is considered a World Class Walk. One end of the track is located about 25 minutes from Glenorchy. Day walks can be done from the start of the track. The start of the track sidles along the Routeburn River through Beech Forest before opening up to grasslands about 1-2 hours in. Routeburn Day Walks can be short and leisurely, or require high fitness depending on how far you decide to go. Those with high fitness levels could reach the top of Conical Hill and back in 1 day.
Length: Up to you! Walk in as far as you like, then exit the same way.
Start Point: 25 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Low - High
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealands "Great Walks" and is considered a World Class Walk. One end of the track is located about 25 minutes from Glenorchy. Day walks can be done from the start of the track. The start of the track sidles along the Routeburn River through Beech Forest before opening up to grasslands about 1-2 hours in. Routeburn Day Walks can be short and leisurely, or require high fitness depending on how far you decide to go. Those with high fitness levels could reach the top of Conical Hill and back in 1 day.
Length: Up to you! Walk in as far as you like, then exit the same way.
Start Point: 25 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Low - High
Earnslaw Burn Track, Mt Earnslaw
Earnslaw Burn Track
The Earnslaw Burn Track can be done as a day walk or an overnight. Most of the track is through Native Beech Forest, before opening up to a beautiful tussock basin. Up the valley around the corner are impressive views of Mt Earnslaw icefall. During wet periods there are often many waterfalls cascading off Mt Earnslaw into the river below. This track does require attention to foot placement, and in the tussock basin especially the ground can be uneven.
Length: 8 - 12 Hours Round Trip as a Day Walk
Start Point: 20 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium - High
The Earnslaw Burn Track can be done as a day walk or an overnight. Most of the track is through Native Beech Forest, before opening up to a beautiful tussock basin. Up the valley around the corner are impressive views of Mt Earnslaw icefall. During wet periods there are often many waterfalls cascading off Mt Earnslaw into the river below. This track does require attention to foot placement, and in the tussock basin especially the ground can be uneven.
Length: 8 - 12 Hours Round Trip as a Day Walk
Start Point: 20 Minute Drive from Glenorchy
Fitness Required: Medium - High
IMPORTANT: Remember to always be prepared when heading into the mountains, even if you only plan on a short walk. Always carry extra food & water, and clothing for any weather condition. Weather in the mountains is unpredictable and can change quickly. Emergency Locator Beacons are always recommended.
