By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
Key facts
- Distance
- 2.1 km loop
- Walking time
- 1 hr
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Lake Brunner area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
The track passes a hydroelectric power station, a stand of kahikateamiro-rimu forest and views over the dam.
This DOC directory entry covers Arnold River Dam Walk in West Coast, within Lake Brunner area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 2.1 km loop
- Walking time: 1 hr
- DOC grade: Easiest
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Start from the Arnold Power Station on Stratford Road, off Arnold Valley Road, about 12 km north of the Moana township.
The track first passes the hydro electric power station.
Crossing the Arnold River on part of the pipe structure that carries water to the power house, the track branches right. Soon it enters a stand of grand kahikateamiro-rimu forest adjacent to the river.
The track climbs to the top of a terrace that is bordered by a sharp u-bend in the river, and the pipeline taking water to the power house passes underneath. The forest was cut over long ago, but some notable trees remain, including multi-trunked rimu and some good sized totara and rata.
From the upstream side of the terrace there is a dramatic view down over the dam that diverts part of the river flow into the tunnel below the viewpoint. Water birds may be spotted in the small lake above the dam, adding to the abundant birdlife commonly enjoyed along the walk.
The track continues to wind around the terrace before descending to the river crossing point again.
Getting there
Starts near the township of Moana, inland from Greymouth, between SH 73 and SH 7. From SH 73 near Jacksons, turn onto Lake Brunner Road. From SH 7 near Stillwater, turn onto Arnold Valley Road.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
