Grandview Ridge tracks
Located in Wānaka area in the Otago region
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Introduction
Highly visible over a large area of the surrounding landscape, the Grandview Ridge provides a spectacular vantage point for views over the upper Clutha Valley and peaks beyond.Various from 10.5 - 43.5 km
Mountain biking
Advanced: Grade 4Seasonal restrictions
Two sections are closed annually for lambing:
- Deep Gully Track: 30 September – 4 November
- Eastern Hills Track: 15 September – 30 October
Dog access
From the Long Gully car park, a well-formed farm track on moderately steep hill terrain links tracks across the upper slopes and ridgeline of the Grandview Range. Options from a few hours to full or multi day are available, providing extensive views across the upper Clutha Valley to the Southern Alps/kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
Longer options
Long Gully car park to Timaru Creek Road
Distance: 43.5 km to exit via Breast Hill Track, 37.5 km to exit before the Breast Hill Track junction via Pakituhi Hut
This is the complete Grandview Ridge Track (previously known as Grandview Range Track) and provides great views of the upper Clutha Valley and the peaks beyond. The track provides access to the network of conservation areas including Breast Creek, Grandview Creek, Hospital Creek, Bluenose, Awa Nohoaka and Long Gully Conservation Areas. It traverses the ridgeline through private properties so keep to the poled route.
It was from this area that Otago's first surveyor, John Turnbull Thomson, saw and named 'New Zealand's Matterhorn' Mount Aspiring/Tititea.
Long Gully car park to Nook Road carpark
Time: 9-11 hr
Distance: 29 km
You can also choose to continue onto the Awa Nohoaka Conservation Area access tracks from the Nook Road or Sandy Point carparks.
Shorter options
These tracks provide access to the Long Gully Conservation Area.
Long Gully car park to Sandy Point car park via Deep Gully Track
Time: 3-5 hr
Distance: 11.5 km one way
Long Gully car park to Sandy Point car park via Eastern Hill Track
Time: 3-5 hr
Distance: 11 km one way
Deep Gully-Eastern Hills Loop
Time: 3-5 hr
Distance: 10.5 km
This option offers a great loop with extensive views over the Upper Clutha Valley. The track starts across the road from the Sandy Point car park. A poled route follows the toe of the hill before climbing up Deep Gully and up onto the Grandview Ridge. Turn right to follow the Grandview Ridge track for 500 m before branching off and descending down the Eastern Hills track back to the starting point.
Mountain biking
Mountain bikers can't exit/enter via the Breast Hill or Timaru River tracks - exit at the Hāwea end of Grandview Ridge, via the Grandview Mountain Track to Nook Road carpark.
The main access points for the Grandview Ridge tracks are:
- Long Gully car park - approximately 24.5 km from Wānaka township on the Luggate/Tarras Highway (SH8a). Turn left off SH8a onto Jolly Road, travel 2.6 km and turn left onto the Long Gully farm access road. The Long Gully car park area is past farm buildings where a sign/stile indicates the start of Grandview Ridge Track.
- Sandy Point car park - SH8, 17 km from Wānaka.
- Nook Road carpark - approximately 5 km from Hāwea township. From Cemetery Road continue on to Gray road. Turn left at the end of Gray Road onto the Hāwea Back Road for less than 200 m before turning right onto Nook Road. Travel for 500 m before reaching the Nook Road carpark and the beginning of the Grandview Mountain Track. Walk or bike up this track for 9 km before reaching Grandview Ridge Track.
- Timaru Creek Road - approximately 7 km from Hāwea township. From Cemetery Road turn left onto Gladstone Road which then becomes Timaru Creek Road. There is a parking pull off on Timaru Creek Road 300 m on the left past the beginning of the Timaru Creek/Breast Hill Track. This is only a walking access. Follow the Timaru Creek/Breast Hill Track to Pakituhi Hut. Grandview Ridge Junction is 300 m past this hut.
No fires.
In winter and spring these access points travel through ‘challenging’ avalanche terrain before entering ‘simple’ avalanche terrain on the tops – view avalanche information if planning a trip between May and November.
Stay safe in the outdoors
- Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
- Understand the weather. Check weather forecasts.
- Pack warm clothes and extra food. Check gear lists.
- Share your plans and take ways to get help. Share directly or use the Outdoor Intentions form or Plan My Walk. Take a distress beacon.
- Take care of yourself and each other.
Contacts
| Tititea / Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | 03 4437660 |
| Email: | wanakavc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
1 Ballantyne Road Wanaka 9305 |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 93 Wanaka 9343 |
| Full office details | |