Snowdon Forest tramping tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Snowdon Forest tramping tracks are used infrequently and many are marked routes only. The Mararoa, Whitestone and Upukerora Rivers offer good fishing for rainbow trout.

This DOC directory entry covers Snowdon Forest tramping tracks in Southland, within Snowdon Forest 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
• DOC grade: Advanced; Expert

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

Dogs not permitted during the lambing and calving period - September to November.

Dog access

Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Swingbridge to South Mavora Lake

Time: 2 hr 30 min

From the swingbridge 1.5 km from Hikuraki Station, a track follows the true right of the Mararoa River to a swingbridge at the outlet of South Mavora Lake. This is mainly flat walking with some muddy sections.

Swingbridge to Kiwi Burn Hut

Time: 1 hr 30 min

Turning left from the swingbridge 1.5 km from Hikuraki Station, a track follows down the true right of the Mararoa River to near the junction with the Kiwi Burn. It then follows up the Kiwi Burn for 15 minutes to a large clearing. The Kiwi Burn Hut, an ideal overnight stay for a family with younger children is sited near the bush edge.

Kiwi Burn Round Trip

Time: 3 hr 30 min

From the swingbridge 1.5 km from Hikuraki Station a marked route enters the forest and passes through several small clearings. A low ridge is crossed before descending into the Kiwi Burn. Heading up the Kiwi Burn an unmarked route leads to the Whitestone River; downstream a marked route leads to the Kiwi Burn Hut and returns via the Kiwi Burn and Mararoa River.

Kiwi Burn to Whitestone River

Time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr

The track into the Whitestone River valley follows on up the Kiwi Burn from the hut to a low bush saddle then descends to the Whitestone River. It then follows the river downstream on the true left side. This is pleasant walking with good camping on the open river flats. Use of portable stoves is encouraged; a permit from DOC Te Anau is required to use an open fire.

Whitestone River Valley - Upukerora River Valley (track is no longer maintained)

Time: 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr 30 min

Follow downstream for about 45 minutes from where the track enters from the Kiwi Burn. A sign indicates the land is private and you must stay within 20 metres of the river. After another 20 minutes track markers on the opposite side show the start of the 2 hour bush track through to the Upukerora River. This section of track can be very wet and muddy.

Once in the Upukerora Valley, the Army Hut (4 bunks) is sited about 1 hour up the valley, on the true left of the river.

Upukerora Valley to Milford Road (track is no longer maintained)

Time: 5 hr - 6 hr

Follow the Upukerora River down from the point where the track comes in from the Whitestone. Cross the Upukerora River and follow the 4WD track to near Dunton Swamp: a swampy clearing to the northwest. The edge of the swamp is followed then the track enters bush country, passing occasional clearings until Retford Stream is reached.

The track then crosses terraces and some small clearings. The open country you will see to the west is private land and permission must be obtained from Te Anau Downs Station to cross or hunt. Boyd Creek and the Milford Road will be reached in 3 hours from the Retford Stream.

Milford Road to Boyd Creek Tops (marked route)

Time: 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr 30 min

From the picnic area at Boyd Creek follow the vehicle track towards Boyd Creek Lodge. For permission contact Te Anau Downs Station. After 10 minutes the track enters the bush and is followed to the open tops. A large clearing marks the approx halfway point. From the bush edge you have a choice of routes; one is a crossing to the upper Upukerora.

Getting there

Public access points into Snowdon Forest are from legal roads or riverside marginal strips. Most marginal strips are suitable for walking access only.

Any other access into Snowdon Forest is across private/Landcorp land and permission must be obtained beforehand. View contact details for adjoining properties.

Walking access to Army Hut and the Upper Upukerora River area is possible either:

• on the public track from the Kiwi Burn swingbridge, via the Whitestone river

• by following the Upukerora riverbed upstream from the public access at the end of Ladies Mile Road (off of Kakapo Road).

Note that although the riverbed is open to public access, it is adjacent to both public and private land. There is no access or hunting on the adjacent private land without direct permission from the landowners.

Know before you go

Dogs are permitted for most of the year except during the lambing and calving period - September to November.

The tracks in Snowdon Forest are used infrequently – many are marked routes only.

Tracks to South Mavora Lake, Kiwi Burn Hut and the Whitestone River are checked and cleared once a year. The others are checked for markers yearly and cleared every three years. Some sectors can be very wet underfoot.

Trampers and hunters should be well equipped.

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.