Wills Valley Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track is for experienced trampers and starts at the Gates of Haast Bridge. Like most of the smaller valleys in this area, the Wills’ lower reaches are gorged, and then open out to flats further up.

This DOC directory entry covers Wills Valley Track in Otago, within Makarora area / Mount Aspiring 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: 7.5 km one way
• Walking time: 5 - 6 hr
• 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.

• Wills Valley Track closed; First published on 29 October 2025. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.

• Predator control for Mt Aspiring National Park; First published on 16 September 2025. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The entry point for this track is located at the Gates of Haast Bridge off State Highway 6.

A large, unstable, active slip must be crossed to reach the start of the track at the bush edge. Avoiding the sting of native nettle, follow the old bridle trail for about 10 min.

The track branches off to climb, then sidle, above the western side of Wills Gorge until reaching a smaller slip. To keep on the track, stay high on the slip to reach a steel ladder that climbs a small rock bluff.

The track continues climbing steadily through the forest, before dropping down to a large, grassy river flat on the true right of the river where the marked track ends. The four-bunk Wills Hut is about 40 min from the start of this flat on the true left of the river on a small terrace close to the bush edge.

Know before you go

Avalanche risk

This area has terrain that can produce avalanches that cross the track, usually from May into November. View avalanche information.

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

No visitor centre in Makarora

Contact the Awarua/Haast or Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park visitor centres instead.

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.