Loading...
Pisa Range, Wanaka
14 km
5 hours 30 minutes
923 metres
If you are looking for a quintessential Central Otago high-country adventure, look no further than The Meg Hut Track. Situated in the majestic Pisa Range near Wanaka, this trail is a masterclass in wide-open spaces, golden tussock-clad hills, and big-sky panoramas. It is the kind of walk that makes you feel small in the best way possible, immersing you in a landscape that has been shaped by both the forces of nature and a rich history of hardy pioneers.
While it is classified as a hard track due to its significant elevation gain and exposed nature, the reward is a deep sense of solitude and a visit to one of the region’s most charming historic huts. Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend leg-burner or a visitor wanting to see the "real" Otago backcountry beyond the lakefront, The Meg Hut Track delivers in spades.
The journey begins at the Tuohys Gully car park, located just off the road heading up to the Snow Farm. From the moment you step out of the car, the scale of the landscape is apparent. This isn't a walk through dense forest; instead, you are immediately greeted by the vast, undulating slopes of the Pisa Range.
The track follows a rugged 4WD farm road, which provides a solid, non-technical footing but offers little respite in terms of gradient. You’ll begin a steady, relentless climb that will certainly get the heart rate up. As you gain elevation, the views behind you begin to open up, revealing the patchwork quilt of the Cardrona Valley and the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps piercing the horizon.
The terrain is dominated by mānuka scrub at the lower levels, quickly giving way to the iconic golden tussock grasslands that define Central Otago. There is virtually no shade on this route, so you are at the mercy of the elements—on a bluebird day, the sun can be intense, while a "southerly buster" will make you earn every metre of progress.
The physical climax of the ascent is Tuohys Saddle, sitting at a respectable 1,140 metres. Reaching the saddle is a "stop-and-stare" moment. The vista expands to include the rolling tops of the Pisa Range, an ancient schist plateau that feels like the roof of the world. From here, the track changes character. You’ll leave the main ridge and begin a gentle descent of about 200 metres into a secluded, peaceful valley.
Parking is available at the Tuohys Gully car park, located just off Cardrona Valley Road. To access the car park, turn right across the Snow Farm entrance bridge. Please note that using the Waiorau Snow Farm access road incurs a fee: $20 during summer and $30 during winter.
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
Be the first to share a photo of this trail
Recent reports from hikers
No condition reports yet.
Be the first to report the current conditions!
See what other hikers are saying
--
No reviews yet
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Out and back
As you wind your way down, the Meg Hut eventually comes into view—a small, orange-hued speck against the vast green and gold backdrop, nestled right beside the bubbling Roaring Meg Stream. It’s a welcoming sight and the perfect place to drop your pack and boil the billy. The return journey requires a "smidgin over 200 metres" of climbing back up to the saddle before the long, knee-taxing descent back to the car park.
The undisputed star of the show is the Meg Hut itself. Originally built in 1958, this eight-bunk musterers' hut is a fantastic example of high-country heritage. It’s basic, rustic, and full of character. Inside, you’ll find an open fire—a true luxury in these bare hills. Even if you aren't staying the night, it’s a wonderful spot to sit on the porch and soak in the silence of the backcountry.
For those with a keen eye for history, the area around the hut and the stream holds remnants of the region's gold mining era. Look out for old water races and tailings—scars on the land left by miners who once braved these harsh conditions in search of fortune.
Photographers will find their "hero shot" at Tuohys Saddle. On a clear day, the contrast between the golden foreground tussocks and the deep blues and whites of the distant Southern Alps is breathtaking. It’s the perfect spot to capture the sheer scale of the Otago landscape.
To find the trailhead, head toward Cardrona Village from Wanaka (about a 20-minute drive). You’ll see the sign for the Snow Farm and Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds. Turn onto this access road and cross the bridge.
Parking: The Tuohys Gully car park is located just off this access road. Note on Access Fees: Because the track is accessed via the Waiorau Snow Farm road, there is a road maintenance fee to pay. During the summer months, this is typically $20, and it rises to $30 in winter. This fee helps maintain the steep, unsealed alpine road, ensuring it remains accessible for hikers and skiers alike.
While the landscape might look barren at first glance, it is teeming with specialized alpine life.
The Meg Hut Track is accessible year-round, but each season offers a completely different experience:
The Pisa Range holds deep significance for both Māori and European settlers. For Kāi Tahu, the mountains were part of the vast seasonal trails used to access the West Coast for pounamu (greenstone) and to hunt for moa and other birds. The landscape was a source of seasonal resources, and the names of the landmarks often tell stories of ancestral journeys.
In the mid-1800s, the landscape changed dramatically with the arrival of European pastoralists and gold prospectors. The Roaring Meg stream itself is the subject of local legend; it was allegedly named after a high-spirited red-haired woman who worked in the goldfields, though stories vary! The area became a hub for high-country sheep farming, a tradition that continues today on the surrounding stations. The Meg Hut stands as a surviving link to that "mucker and musterers" lifestyle that defined the early colonial identity of Central Otago.
The geology of the area is also fascinating. The Pisa Range is an up-faulted block of Haast Schist. Over millions of years, weathering has created unique rock tors—natural sculptures of stone—that stand like sentinels across the high plateaus.
After 14km and nearly 1,000 metres of climbing, you’ll have worked up a serious appetite. Fortunately, one of New Zealand’s most iconic pubs is located just minutes away.
The Cardrona Hotel is the perfect place to refuel. In winter, you can huddle by the roaring outdoor fire pits with a mulled wine or a hot chocolate. In summer, their sprawling backyard garden is the ideal spot for a cold craft beer and a legendary "Cardrona Burger." The historic facade is one of the most photographed buildings in the country, making it the perfect final stop for your high-country day out.
If you’re heading back toward Wanaka, stop by the Cardrona Distillery for a more refined experience, or hit one of the many artisan bakeries in town for a well-deserved meat pie.
The Meg Hut Track is more than just a hike; it’s an immersion into the rugged, golden heart of the South Island. It’s challenging, yes, but the feeling of standing on the saddle with the Southern Alps laid out before you is an experience you won't soon forget.
Xenicus gilviventris
As New Zealand's only true alpine bird, the tiny and elusive rock wren inhabits rock crevices, sheltering from harsh mountain conditions.
Best time: Year-round
Circus approximans
This is New Zealand's largest native bird of prey, commonly seen soaring over open tussock lands.
Best time: Year-round
Alauda arvensis
An introduced species, the skylark is renowned for its beautiful, sustained song delivered while hovering high in the air.
Best time: Year-round
Callipepla californica
An introduced species that has thrived in Central Otago, often seen in coveys foraging in shrubland and grassland.
Best time: Year-round