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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -45.30759, 169.13717. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 8 km one way
- Walking time
- 2 hr 30 min one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Kopuwai Conservation Area
- Seasonal restrictions
- In winter this area is blanketed in snow, extremely cold, and exposed.
- Dog access
- Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. 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
Centred in the heart of the Kopuwai Conservation Area, this track follows along the rolling tops of the Old Man Range.
This DOC directory entry covers Kopuwai Track to Sisters Track in Otago, within Kopuwai 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: 8 km one way
- Walking time: 2 hr 30 min 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.
Seasonal restrictions
In winter this area is blanketed in snow, extremely cold, and exposed.
Dog access
Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
On this track you’ll get great views of the Old Woman Range, The Remarkables and the Alexandra Basin. You’ll get to walk through herb fields and snow tussock and through the Fraser River. The area has very interesting topography such as steep gullies and ridges.
Near the southern part of this track you can find Boundary Hut around 200 m from the track. The hut is around 15 minutes from Kopuwai 4WD Road.
This track connects Kopuwai 4WD Road to Sisters Track.
Getting there
This track can be started either from:
Sisters Track, or
Kopuwai 4WD Road.
Winter access – roads impassable
Road access to Kopuwai Conservation Area is on dry-weather, largely un-maintained legal roads. In winter the roads become impassable because of snow and ground conditions.
This area is subject to weather extremes at any time of year and roads can become very wet and swampy. Check the weather forecast or contact Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre.
Know before you go
The track is above 1000 m in altitude.
Weather and fog: Temperatures at this altitude can change suddenly even in mid-summer. Take warm and windproof clothing. Fog can roll in quickly – take a map and GPS to help with navigation during the fog.
Avalanches: Be avalanche aware as this area has ‘simple’ avalanche terrain.
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.
