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Queenstown
5.2 km
2 hours
364 metres
If you’ve ever stood on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and looked up at the surrounding peaks, you might have felt a pull toward the heights. Most visitors flock to the popular trails like Ben Lomond or Queenstown Hill, and while those are spectacular, they can often feel a little crowded. If you’re looking for that same hit of alpine adrenaline and those world-class views, but with a bit more breathing room, the Mount Dewar Summit Track is your best-kept secret.
Located just a short drive from the heart of Queenstown, this trail offers a genuine high-country experience. It’s a 5.2km return journey that packs a serious punch in terms of scenery, taking you from the historic Skippers Saddle to a summit that feels like the top of the world.
The adventure begins at Skippers Saddle, a spot already famous for its dramatic views and its gateway to the legendary Skippers Canyon. From the moment you step out of the car, you’re immersed in the high-country landscape. The trail follows a well-formed 4WD track, which makes for easy footwork, but don’t let the "road" status fool you—this is a steady, heart-pumping climb.
As you start the ascent, the terrain is dominated by golden tussock grass that ripples in the wind. There’s very little cover here, which means you’re exposed to the elements, but it also means the views are uninterrupted from the very first step. The track winds its way up the ridge, and with every hairpin turn, the landscape below seems to drop away, revealing more of the Wakatipu Basin.
For those hiking with family, the Mount Dewar Summit Track is definitely kid-friendly, provided your little ones are used to a bit of an incline. Because the track is wide and stable, there aren’t the same tripping hazards you might find on more technical forest trails. However, it is a consistent uphill slog of about 364 metres, so a reasonable level of fitness is required to keep the "are we there yet?" queries to a minimum. Please note, however, that this track is not dog-friendly, so you’ll need to leave your four-legged companions at home for this one.
As you reach the final stretch toward the summit, the incline eases slightly, allowing you to catch your breath and prepare for the 360-degree reveal. Standing at 1310 metres above sea level, the summit of Mount Dewar provides a perspective of Queenstown that few people ever see.
Parking for the Mount Dewar Summit Track is available at the Skippers Saddle car park, located off Coronet Peak Road. From Queenstown, drive towards Arthurs Point and then turn onto Coronet Peak Road. After approximately 4.7km, turn left onto Skippers Road. Follow Skippers Road around a corner to reach the Skippers Saddle car park. [4, 11] It is a small layby area, typically accommodating around five cars. [6] Look for a large green DOC sign, though it will likely indicate the Atleys and Devils Creek tracks, not Mount Dewar directly. [2, 3] The drive from Queenstown takes about 20 minutes. [3] Note that rental car insurance may prohibit driving on the unsealed sections of Skippers Road beyond the saddle, but the car park itself is generally accessible. [3, 15]
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Nestor notabilis
Intelligent alpine parrot endemic to the South Island. Known for curiosity and problem-solving abilities.
Best time: Year-round
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
4.5km away
Queenstown's oldest hospitality business, Cargo at Gantley's offers a welcoming atmosphere for hikers with excellent coffee, breakfast, brunch, and 'Pub Fare with Flair'. It boasts a large beer garden in summer and roaring fireplaces in winter, perfect for apres-hike refreshments. [2, 9, 11]
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Out and back
The obvious highlight is, of course, the 360-degree panorama. To the south, you have the shimmering expanse of Lake Wakatipu and the jagged silhouette of The Remarkables. To the north, you look deep into the rugged backcountry of the Southern Alps. One of the most striking sights is the Shotover River, which you can see snaking its way through the deep, rocky canyons far below. From this height, the river looks like a turquoise ribbon woven into the landscape.
While the summit does host some telecommunications structures, they don't detract from the experience. In fact, they serve as a reminder of how high you’ve climbed. It’s easy to move around them to find the perfect angle for a photo that captures nothing but pure, unadulterated alpine wilderness.
A more subtle and moving highlight is found near the summit. Keep a close eye out for a small cross and a grave, which is widely believed by locals to belong to a beloved dog from years gone by. It’s a poignant little landmark that adds a layer of local character to the hike. It’s a quiet spot to sit for a moment and reflect on the history of the people—and animals—who have called these rugged hills home.
Getting to the trailhead is an adventure in itself. From Queenstown, head toward Arthurs Point and turn onto Coronet Peak Road. You’ll wind your way up the mountain, enjoying views of the valley below. After about 4.7km, look for the left-hand turn onto Skippers Road.
Follow Skippers Road for a short distance until you reach the Skippers Saddle car park. This is a small layby area that can typically fit about five cars, so arriving early during peak season is a good idea. You’ll see a large green Department of Conservation (DOC) sign—don’t be confused if it doesn’t say "Mount Dewar" in big letters; it often lists the Atleys and Devils Creek tracks instead, as Mount Dewar is the gateway to these longer routes.
A quick word of warning for those in rentals: while the car park is generally accessible, many rental car insurance policies strictly prohibit driving on the unsealed sections of Skippers Road beyond the saddle. The car park sits right at the transition point, so you should be fine, but always check your "fine print" before heading off.
The open tussock lands of Mount Dewar are a fantastic place to spot some of New Zealand’s unique birdlife. Because of the elevation and the proximity to the rugged mountains, you might even get lucky and see a Kea, the world’s only alpine parrot. These birds are famously cheeky and intelligent, though they are only occasional visitors to this specific track.
More common is the New Zealand Pipit (Pīhoihoi), a streaky brown bird that loves the open ground and often flits along the track ahead of hikers. You’ll likely hear the friendly "cheep" of the Fantail (Pīwakawaka) and the high-pitched song of the Silvereye (Tauhou).
If you keep your eyes on the skies, you might spot the New Zealand Falcon (Kārearea). Unlike the larger harrier hawks, the Falcon is smaller, faster, and much more aggressive in its flight patterns. Seeing one dive-bombing prey in the valley below is a sight you won't soon forget.
The Mount Dewar Summit Track is best enjoyed in Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
Mount Dewar and the surrounding Skippers area are steeped in gold mining history. In the 1860s, the Shotover River was known as the "Richest River in the World." Thousands of miners flocked to these hills, enduring incredibly harsh conditions in the hopes of striking it rich. When you look down into the canyon from the summit, try to imagine the sheer tenacity required to build roads and water races in such vertical, unforgiving terrain.
For Māori, the Otago high country was a place for seasonal resource gathering and a pathway for transporting pounamu (greenstone). The sense of scale and the ruggedness of the land here command a natural respect—a feeling that hasn’t changed in hundreds of years. Today, the area is part of a wider conservation effort to protect the native tussock ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
After you’ve descended and made the short drive back down Coronet Peak Road, there is no better place to refuel than Cargo at Gantley’s Pub & Cafe in Arthurs Point. Located just 4.5km from the trailhead, Gantley’s is Queenstown’s oldest hospitality business, housed in a stunning historic stone building.
In the summer, their large beer garden is the perfect place to sit back with a cold craft beer and a plate of "Pub Fare with Flair." In the winter, you can huddle near the roaring fireplaces with a hot coffee or a hearty brunch. It has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere that welcomes dusty hikers and locals alike, making it the ideal "finish line" for your Mount Dewar adventure.
Xenicus gilviventris
This tiny, secretive wren is one of New Zealand's few true alpine birds, often found in high-altitude rockfalls and scree.
Best time: Year-round
Falco novaeseelandiae
Also known as Kārearea. Fast and agile raptor found in both forest and open country.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Zosterops lateralis
Small bird with distinctive white eye-ring. Commonly seen in flocks, feeding on insects, fruit, and nectar.
Best time: Year-round
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round