Nicholsons Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This short track takes you from the top of Symes Road through beautiful tussock country to Nicholson Hut.

This DOC directory entry covers Nicholsons 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: 6 km return via same track
• Walking time: 1 hr 30 min 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.

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

Nicholsons Track is a high altitude steep track starting at 1600 m before dropping down to Nicholsons Hut at 1400 m. Near the hut the remains of the gold mining days can be seen in the water races and rock tailings.

The hut sits beside a small stream that drains from a wetland catchment. You can explore the historic features from the gold mining era along Fraser River and the many wetland plants.

For people with alpine snow experience, this area offers great ski touring, snow shoeing, and kite skiing opportunities.

More about snow experiences in Kopuwai Conservation Area.

Mountain biking

1 hr return – 20 minutes down and 40 minutes pushing your bike back up. This is a short but relatively steep track.

Getting there

Nicholsons Track is in the heart of the Kopuwai Conservation Area.

• From Alexandra head south on SH 8 for 14 km to Fruitlands.

• Turn right onto Symes Road.

• Follow this gravel road up to the top of the Old Man Range for 12 km. Parking and Nicholsons Track starts at the top of Symes Road.

There's no carpark – park just off the road at the start of the track.

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 starts around 1600 m altitude and remains above 1000 m 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.

Leave what you find

Remember that all rocks, historic artefacts, native plants and animals are protected on public land. Tread carefully and take only photographs.

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.