Mount Crichton Loop Track

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

From the parking lot, the track heads west for just a few hundred feet before it turns north and crosses Glenorchy Queenstown Road. Soon thereafter, you'll reach a junction that marks the start of the loop. Turn left and cross the bridge over the creek.

For the next mile, the track stays on the left side of an increasingly deep canyon with prominent beech forest and a few ups and downs. At 1.5 miles, the forest gives way to some more open grassland. Just a little further you reach the Historic Miner's Tunnel Track—a short, worthwhile side trip to a historic tunnel cut into the rock with explosives.

About 0.3 miles further, you pass the historic Sam Summers Hut. From the vicinity of the hut you also get a good view of the waterfall and the creek below you. The steepest ascent on the track is now ahead of you, but there is no rewarding view just yet.

Once you are past the highest point on the track, the descent is gentle at first and more moderate toward the end. Lake Dispute Track is to the left at 3 miles in. Past the junction, the views get better, both towards Mount Crichton as well as towards Lake Dispute and Lake Wakatipu. Reach the junction with the bridge ahead to close the loop. Turn left to return to the parking lot.