Grandview Ridge tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Highly visible over a large area of the surrounding landscape, the Grandview Ridge provides a spectacular vantage point for views over the upper Clutha Valley and peaks beyond.

This DOC directory entry covers Grandview Ridge tracks in Otago, within Wānaka 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: Various from 3-11 hr
• 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.

• Lambing closures on Grandview Ridge tracks; First published on 25 September 2026.

Seasonal restrictions

Three sections are closed annually for lambing: Deep Gully Track: 30 September to 4 November Eastern Hills Track: 26 September to 7 November Grandview Mountain Track (no exit): 5 October to 16 November

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

From the Long Gully car park, a well-formed farm track on moderately steep hill terrain links tracks across the upper slopes and ridgeline of the Grandview Range. Options from a few hours to full or multi day are available, providing extensive views across the upper Clutha Valley to the Southern Alps/kā Tiritiri o te Moana.

Longer options

Distance: 43.5 km to exit via Breast Hill Track, 37.5 km to exit before the Breast Hill Track junction via Pakituhi Hut

This is the complete Grandview Ridge Track (previously known as Grandview Range Track) and provides great views of the upper Clutha Valley and the peaks beyond. The track provides access to the network of conservation areas including Breast Creek, Grandview Creek, Hospital Creek, Bluenose, Awa Nohoaka and Long Gully Conservation Areas. It traverses the ridgeline through private properties so keep to the poled route.

It was from this area that Otago's first surveyor, John Turnbull Thomson, saw and named 'New Zealand's Matterhorn' Mount Aspiring/Tititea.

Time: 9-11 hrDistance: 29 km

You can also choose to continue onto the Awa Nohoaka Conservation Area access tracks from the Nook Road or Sandy Point carparks.

Shorter options

These tracks provide access to the Long Gully Conservation Area.

Time: 3-5 hrDistance: 11.5 km one way

Time: 3-5 hrDistance: 11 km one way

Time: 3-5 hrDistance: 10.5 km

This option offers a great loop with extensive views over the Upper Clutha Valley. The track starts across the road from the Sandy Point car park. A poled route follows the toe of the hill before climbing up Deep Gully and up onto the Grandview Ridge. Turn right to follow the Grandview Ridge track for 500 m before branching off and descending down the Eastern Hills track back to the starting point.

Mountain biking

Mountain bikers can't exit/enter via the Breast Hill or Timaru River tracks - exit at the Hāwea end of Grandview Ridge, via the Grandview Mountain Track to Nook Road carpark.

Getting there

The main access points for the Grandview Ridge tracks are:

• Long Gully car park - approximately 24.5 km from Wānaka township on the Luggate/Tarras Highway (SH8a). Turn left off SH8a onto Jolly Road, travel 2.6 km and turn left onto the Long Gully farm access road. The Long Gully car park area is past farm buildings where a sign/stile indicates the start of Grandview Ridge Track.

• Sandy Point car park - SH8, 17 km from Wānaka.

• Nook Road carpark - approximately 5 km from Hāwea township. From Cemetery Road continue on to Gray road. Turn left at the end of Gray Road onto the Hāwea Back Road for less than 200 m before turning right onto Nook Road. Travel for 500 m before reaching the Nook Road carpark and the beginning of the Grandview Mountain Track. Walk or bike up this track for 9 km before reaching Grandview Ridge Track.

• Timaru Creek Road - approximately 7 km from Hāwea township. From Cemetery Road turn left onto Gladstone Road which then becomes Timaru Creek Road. There is a parking pull off on Timaru Creek Road 300 m on the left past the beginning of the Timaru Creek/Breast Hill Track. This is only a walking access. Follow the Timaru Creek/Breast Hill Track to Pakituhi Hut. Grandview Ridge Junction is 300 m past this hut.

Know before you go

No fires.

In winter and spring these access points travel through ‘challenging’ avalanche terrain before entering ‘simple’ avalanche terrain on the tops – view avalanche information if planning a trip between May and November.

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.