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Key facts
- Distance
- 18 km one way
- Walking time
- 7 hr one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Pisa Conservation Area
- 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
The Roaring Meg Pack Track can be completed in a day or as an overnight tramp staying at Meg Hut. It goes up and over the Pisa Range from Cardrona valley to Kawarau Gorge.
This DOC directory entry covers Roaring Meg Pack Track in Otago, within Pisa 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 one way
- Walking time: 7 hr 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Carpark to Tuohys Saddle
Time: 2 hr 30 minDistance: 6 km
From Tuohys Gully carpark, follow a 4WD track climbing steadily up to Tuohys Saddle (1,140 m). At the top, the track forks.
To make this an overnight trip, take the left fork towards Meg Hut. Otherwise, take the right fork to continue through the Roaring Meg / Te Wai a Korokio gorge and on towards Kawarau Gorge.
Side trip: Tuohys Saddle to Meg Hut
Time: 30 min Distance: 2 km
From the saddle the track descends 200 m to Meg Hut.
Tuohys Saddle to Roaring Meg power station
Time: 4 hr 30 minDistance: 12 km
From the saddle, the poled track descends past Miners Hut (private) and follows gentle terrain until it reaches Plank Creek. Here the Roaring Meg stream must be crossed – this may be impassable during/after heavy rain.
From there, the track becomes narrower as it sidles on the true left of the Roaring Meg. It crosses Skeleton Stream shortly before joining an unmarked 4WD road through private land to the Roaring Meg power station in the Kawarau Gorge. This part of the track is not maintained by DOC and not highlighted on the map.
The section from the Roaring Meg power station to the conservation boundary crosses a private working farm. To ensure continued access through this section you must respect the landowner's conditions: no dogs, mountain bikes or firearms are permitted.
Getting there
There are two carparks at either end of this track.
Tuohys Gully carpark
Starting on the Cardrona Valley Road turn left into the entrance to Waiorau Snow Farm.
Tuohys Gully carpark is signposted to the right immediately after the bridge.
Follow the farm road until you reach the carpark in a small paddock. Leave gates as you find them
Roaring Meg carpark
Located across the road from the Roaring Meg power station.
Starting in Cromwell, follow signs for Queenstown to drive down Kawarau Gorge Road (SH6).
Roaring Meg power station is around 12 km along the road.
Know before you go
Weather
In summer, very hot and dry conditions are common. Carrying an adequate supply of both drinking water and sun protection is essential.
In winter, mountaineering experience is required along with knowledge of avalanche conditions.
Adverse weather: The weather can change rapidly in New Zealand. Hypothermia is a real risk even in summer. Be prepared by having warm, waterproof, windproof clothing and the appropriate footwear. Whiteout conditions caused by snow or low cloud may be present.
Check the Roys Peak weather forecast – NIWA website.
Be avalanche alert: This area has terrain that can produce avalanches that cross the track, usually from May into November.
View avalanche information.
Firearms
Firearms are not permitted on easements through private property including transportation in vehicles. Entry with a firearm is only allowed via Rock Peak Track.
Dog access
Dogs are allowed in the Pisa Conservation Area, but entry and exit is restricted to the Rock Peak Track. All other entry points are via easements through private property and require landowner permission to enter with a dog including transporting them in vehicles.
Private property
This track crosses private land. Respect the landowner's livestock and property: stay on the marked track until you reach the conservation land, leave gates as you find them and use stiles where provided. Livestock can be unpredictable – keep your distance at all times or go around if necessary.
No camping until the conservation area boundary.
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.
