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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: -41.15771, 172.61490. 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
- 12 km one way
- Walking time
- 5 hr 30 min one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Cobb Valley / Kahurangi National Park
- Seasonal restrictions
- 4WD is recommended on the access road into the Cobb valley (Cobb Dam Road) in winter, due to ice and/or snow.
- 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
Walk to Salisbury Lodge via the beautiful Lake Peel. There are several huts along the way and Lake Peel is a good day walk destination.
This DOC directory entry covers Lake Peel Track in Tasman, within Cobb Valley / Kahurangi National 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: 12 km one way
- Walking time: 5 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.
4WD recommended to access Flora car park up Graham Valley Road; First published on 13 July 2025. Last reviewed on 29 September 2026.
Predator control in Cobb area of Kahurangi National Park; First published on 15 May 2026. Last reviewed on 1 July 2026.
Seasonal restrictions
4WD is recommended on the access road into the Cobb valley (Cobb Dam Road) in winter, due to ice and/or snow.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Cobb Reservoir to Lake Peel
A good day walk option, it is 2 hours and 30 minutes (5 km) to Lake Peel from the car park at the head of the Cobb Reservoir.
The track starts with a short walk (10 minutes) to Myttons Hut.
Beyond the hut, the tramping track winds steadily up to Peel Ridge (1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours).
It crosses the ridge and then drops down, before sidling around to the beautiful ice-sculptured basin that holds Lake Peel.
Lake Peel to Balloon Hut
From Lake Peel, a tramping track sidles up on to a ridge and then descends slowly to Balloon Hut (1 hour 30 minutes).
Balloon Hut to Salisbury Lodge
From Balloon Hut, it is an hour to Tableland and the junction with the Leslie-Karamea Track. Take a left at the junction to head to Salisbury Lodge, a further 30 minutes away.
It is possible to continue your tramp and walk to the Flora Car park via the Tableland Circuit or Salisbury Track.
Getting there
The track starts at the head of the Cobb Reservoir. Turn off SH 60 at Upper Takaka. Follow the Cobb Valley Road, then Cobb Dam Road, to the end (28 km).
The road is unsealed from the Cobb Power House - care is required and 4WD is recommended in winter due to ice and/or snow.
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.
