Pisa Conservation Area tramping tracks
Tramping track
Getting there
Access to the first three tracks described here is from Tuohys Gully carpark which is off the lower section of the Waiorau Snowfarm Road. The turnoff to the Snowfarm is 22 kilometres from Wanaka on the Cardrona Valley Road.
The alternative or, other end, access point for the Roaring Meg Pack Track is the Roaring Meg Recreation Reserve on SH6. And for the Lowburn Pack Track, Swann Road in the Lowburn Valley.
About the area
The Pisa Conservation Area is 22,000 hectares of stunning high country that overlooks the Upper Clutha and Wakatipu basins, and beyond to the Southern Alps/Ka Tiritiri o te Moana. The Pisa Range is the highest of Central Otago's fault block mountains and consists of very distinctive landforms and ecological systems.
Description
The Roaring Meg Pack Track, Pisa
Conservation Area
Roaring Meg Pack Track
Time: 5 - 6 hr (19km)
From the Tuohys Gully carpark an access track climbs steadily up the gully to the 1140-metre Tuohys Saddle. An easy-grade track to the right leads down to a privately owned musterers hut, Miners Hut, The Meg Hut, a DOC facility available to the public is also nearby. The main track then sidles through some steep sections as it follows the gorge of the Roaring Meg/Te Wai a Korokio. The poled track ends above the Meg Dam. Follow the road down to the Roaring Meg Recreation Reserve, opposite the power station on SH6 in the Kawarau Gorge.
Circuit Track
Time: 4 - 5 hr (14km)
This provides the opportunity to explore part of the Pisa range and finish where you started. Follow the Roaring Meg Pack Track from the Tuohys Gully carpark to Tuohys Saddle. Take the track on the left to the DOC Meg Hut and follow the Roaring Meg Stream down to Miners Hut (private). This will involve a number of river crossings. The return journey is via an easy ascent to Tuohys Saddle, then the descent to the carpark.
Lowburn Pack Track
Time: 7 - 8 hr (24km)
This starts from the same carpark as the other two tracks, crosses Tuohys Saddle, and takes the track on the left to the Meg Hut. From the hut take the poled track that climbs up to the tops and then traverses the headwaters of Mitre Creeek and Skeleton Creek and reaches a 1400-metre high point that overlooks the Clutha Valley. Then follow the public access track down to Swann Road in the Lowburn Valley.
Activities
Horse riding
Mountain biking
These are suitable for horse riding and mountain biking as well as walking.
Horse gates are not provided. Riders need to obtain gate keys from the landowners.
Places to stay
This is a standard eight-bunk hut in the Wanaka area.
Plan and prepare
- These tracks both cross and border private land. Please respect livestock and property, ensure gates are left as you found them and that, where provided, stiles are used,
- In summer very hot and dry conditions are common. Carrying an adequate supply of both drinking water and sun protection is essential.
- Dogs and firearms are not permitted.
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required