Crown Range Road summit to Tuohys Gully: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Get great views from this track at the southern end of the Pisa Range and then continue along the tops to Tuohys Gully.

This DOC directory entry covers Crown Range Road summit to Tuohys Gully in Otago, within Pisa Conservation 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: 21 km one way
• Walking time: 7 hr one way
• DOC grade: Advanced

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.

Description

This track connects Crown Range summit (1,100 m) to Roaring Meg Pack Track and then ends at Tuohys Gully carpark.

This track at the southern end of the Pisa Range gives quick access to great views. Follow an old 4WD track as it zigzags up from the Crown Range summit car park to the transmitter station at Rock Peak.

From there, the undulating track continues along the ridge tops taking in the summits of Mount Allen, Quartz Knoll and Queensberry Hill. Quartz Knoll at 1,593 m is the highest point on the track. The track then descends to Tuohys Saddle.

At Tuohys Saddle the track connects to Roaring Meg Pack Track. From the saddle, follow the Roaring Meg Pack Track down to Tuohys Gully car park.

Getting there

To start this track from Crown Range summit:

• From Wanaka head south for 40 km on the Cardrona Valley / Crown Range Road.

• The car park is located at the very top of the Crown Range Road with great views towards Queenstown and the Remarkables.

It is quicker and easier to walk the track as described from Crown Range summit carpark (1,100 m altitude) to Tuohys Gully carpark (500 m altitude).

Know before you go

Weather

In summer, very hot and dry conditions are common. Carrying an adequate supply of both drinking water and sun protection is essential.

In winter, mountaineering experience is required along with knowledge of avalanche conditions.

Adverse weather: The weather can change rapidly in New Zealand. Hypothermia is a real risk even in summer. Be prepared by having warm, waterproof, windproof clothing and the appropriate footwear. Whiteout conditions caused by snow or low cloud may be present.

Check the Roys Peak weather forecast – NIWA website.

Be avalanche alert: This area has terrain that can produce avalanches that cross the track, usually from May into November.

View avalanche information.

Firearms

Firearms are not permitted on easements through private property including transportation in vehicles. Entry with a firearm is only allowed via Rock Peak Track.

Dog access

Dogs are allowed in the Pisa Conservation Area, but entry and exit is restricted to the Rock Peak Track. All other entry points are via easements through private property and require landowner permission to enter with a dog including transporting them in vehicles.

Private property

This track crosses private land. Respect the landowner's livestock and property: stay on the marked track until you reach the conservation land, leave gates as you find them and use stiles where provided. Livestock can be unpredictable – keep your distance at all times or go around if necessary.

No camping until the conservation area boundary.

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.