Mt McIntosh Loop Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

A steep overnight tramp with magnificent views through open tussock land.

This DOC directory entry covers Mt McIntosh Loop Track in Otago, within Whakaari 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: 18 km loop
• Walking time: 8-10 hr return
• 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

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Warning: This track involves multiple river crossings. Rivers here may flood at any time of year due to rain or snowmelt and should not be crossed in flood. How to cross a river safely.

This track starts at the Whakaari Conservation Area carpark and finishes on the Queenstown/Glenorchy Road beside the Buckler Burn.

Car park to McIntyre Hut

Time: 3 to 4 hr

Walk up the well formed Mt Judah Track to the junction turnoff, this takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. Follow the marked track steeply down to the Buckler Burn.

High water levels at Buckler Burn: If high water levels at Buckler Burn make it impassable, you should turn back and return the way you have come.

After Buckler Burn you go up a steep zig-zag up an old mining road leads to McIntyre Hut.

McIntyre Hut to McIntosh Hut

Time: 2 hr

Follow the marked track traversing above Long Gully Stream to the Long Gully Saddle. From here it’s about another 30 minutes to McIntosh Hut at 1464 m elevation.

McIntosh Hut to Glenorchy Road

Time: 3 to 4 hr

To continue on the loop track, return back to the saddle and climb another old mining track to the ridge. Follow this ridge for another hour, with superb views of Lake Wakatipu, Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi, and the Dart Valley. You then drop down a very steep unformed track along a fence line to a water race above the Buckler Burn.

High water levels at Buckler Burn: If high water levels at Buckler Burn make it impassable, you should turn back and return the way you have come – be prepared for a long walk back if you have come down the true right of the McIntosh Loop.

The race is followed before dropping back to the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, five minutes north of the carpark.

Getting there

Turn to the right off the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, 2 km before Glenorchy, to reach the Whakaari Conservation Area car park.

Know before you go

Safety information

• The Whakaari tracks are alpine and exposed: changeable weather, extreme temperatures, strong winds, snow and ice are possible at any time of year. Not recommended during winter months or unfavourable conditions.

• River crossing experience is essential. Streams may flood at any time of year due to rain or snow melt and should not be crossed in flood.

• If high water levels at the Buckler Burn make it impassable, trampers may have to turn back and return the way they have come - be prepared for a long walk back if you have come down the true right of the McIntosh Loop.

• Dangerous mine tunnels are present and may be hidden by vegetation. Do not enter tunnels.

Use NZTopo50 map sheet CB10.

Avalanche danger

Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

• have the relevant avalanche skills and training

• check the ATES rating and New Zealand Avalanche Advisory

• go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.

There are steep drop offs in this area – caution is required.

Unsafe water source Whakaari

Due to historic mining activities, high levels of arsenic and heavy metals may be present in the soil and streams in the Whakaari area. Filtering or boiling the stream water does not remove the contamination.

Visitors should not use the natural water sources for drinking, cooking, or washing based on current information available on the contamination.

Heather Jock, McIntyre and McIntosh huts may have water in their tanks for use, but this is not guaranteed. Carry all the water you need when you visit the site.

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.