Dorcy Stream 4WD road: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track provides a direct route to Flanagan Pass (1225 m).

This DOC directory entry covers Dorcy Stream 4WD road in Canterbury, within Ruataniwha Conservation Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 4 km one way
• Walking time: 2 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.

Dog access

Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

This track provides a direct route to Flanagan Pass (1225 m). You can park your vehicle just before Dorcy Stream and start walking from Glen Lyon Road. Or, you can 4WD up to the airstrip parking area. It is a 1 hr 30 min walk from the airstrip to Flanagan Pass.

Mountain biking

Ride from the start at Glen Lyon Road or drive up to the airstrip car park. Parents could drop kids off the airstrip car park for a fun descent back to Glen Lyon Road. The longer diagonal descent track to Glen Lyon Road is an easier option.

Getting there

Dorcy Stream is accessed from Glen Lyon 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.