Lake Ohau - Ben Ohau Range tracks

Track category

Short walk
Tramping track
Mountain bike - Easy

Description

These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

Respect public access easements through private land: stay on the track, leave gates as you find them, do not disturb stock.

Baikie Hut

Track classification: Tramping track ; Mountain bike - Easy
Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 9 km

Follow an old farm track which runs parallel to Twizel River and leads to Baikie Hut. This track is used in summer for tramping options higher up on Ben Ohau Range and in winter for ski-touring.

Mountain biking: This is a popular track with mountain bikers with a steady climb of 200 m to the hut.

4WD: Permission is required from Pukaki Downs Station to drive into this hut. Vehicles are not permitted beyond Baikie Hut.

Fraser Stream walk near Ben Ohau
Range

Fraser Stream

Track classification: Walking track
Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 8 km

Part of the Dusky Trail travels beside Fraser Stream and this initial section makes an interesting walk. Boardwalk protects a small area of wetland and after 4 km the junction of Fraser Stream and Darts Bush Stream makes an ideal turn-around point.

Dusky Trail

Track classification: Mountain bike - Easy
Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 23 km circuit

This starts at the Fraser Stream entrance with the track climbing beside the stream and then traversing under the Ben Ohau Range. Bikers then need to cross the Twizel River (which can rise during rainfall and become impassable) and can take a side trip to Baikie Hut or carry on out to Aoraki/Mount Cook Road.

Ben Ohau Wetland

Track classification: Short walk
Time: 10 mins one way
Distance: 1 km

From the car park follow the farm track for a short distance (less than 1 km) and you will see a signpost on the right for Ben Ohau Wetland. A small pedestrian gate leads you through to the wetland area. This deep, natural carex wetland provides a good spot for bird-watching. Great for young families.

Crossing Darts Bush Stream

Darts Bush Stream

Track classification: Mountain bike - Easy
Time: 2-3 hrs
Distance: 21 km circuit

This track travels through exotic plantation forest and climbs up and over Pyramid Saddle. There are several stream crossings with both Darts Bush and Fraser Streams needing to be crossed. Bikers can take a short cut back to the start by riding beside Fraser Stream, or take the longer route back which emerges near Lake Poaka.

Ben Ohau/Ruataniwha Peak from
Lake Ohau

Ben Ohau/Ruataniwha Peak

Track classification: Tramping track
Time: 4-5 hrs return
Distance: 5 km; 810 m vertical

Steep scree faces rise sharply from Lake Ohau to give this peak lots of character. It is the subject of many photographs and artists interpretations. An old 4WD track climbs past a remnant mountain beech/tawhai forest, up the western flank of Ben Ohau Peak.

Getting there

The Ben Ohau Range/Ruataniwha stretches northwest of Twizel towards Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. It is the dominant mountain range in the area and is 3.5 hours drive south of Christchurch.

Activities

Mountain biking and cycling

Track descriptions

Plan and prepare

Topographical maps for the area: BY15, BZ15.

Be prepared: The climate in this region is traditionally very hot in summer and extremely cold in winter. New Zealand weather can change very rapidly so trampers need to be prepared for a range of conditions.

Fire: Fire restrictions apply to all public conservation land. Check with the Twizel Information Centre or DOC's Te Manahuna Area office for the current fire status.

River crossing: Be aware of weather conditions in catchment headwaters. Do not attempt to cross swollen rivers or streams.

Avalanche: Avalanche run-out zones can impact on the valley floor from May to November. Carry 457 khz transceivers, probes and shovels in avalanche terrain.

Communications: Cell phone coverage cannot be relied upon in this region. The use of satellite phones or mountain radios is recommended instead. At the very least trampers should be carrying a personal locator beacon.

Before heading out:

• check weather conditions
• carry a map/GPS
• make sure your bike is roadworthy and carry all necessary repair tools
• leave intentions with someone at home
• carry appropriate food, water and clothing
• reduce the spread of didymo by making sure your bike is clean and dry from your last ride

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