Top Dingle Hut Track

A well-formed track rises from the Ahuriri valley to Dingle Burn Saddle (1448 m). From the saddle snowpoles mark a steep descent to Top Dingle Hut in Dingle Burn valley. From Top Dingle Hut the tracks continues to Lake Hawea. For more detail about the track from Lake Hawea to Top Dingle Hut see Dingle Burn Track. 

The Dingle Burn Hut Track zig zags upwards from Ahuriri valley floor

Turn off SH8 onto Birchwood Road, 17 km south of Omarama. The turnoff is signposted for Ahuriri Conservation Park. The road is suitable for cars until the conservation park boundary 21 km down Birchwood Road. After that a high clearance 4WD vehicle is required to travel the 7 km to the start of the track.

Map: NZTopo50 BZ14 Mount Barth

Dog access

Dogs on a lead can be taken on the track up to Dingleburn Pass, however they must be confined to your vehicle on the drive up Birchwood Road as you are passing through private farmland. Note: dogs are not permitted past Top Dingle Burn Hut.

There may be avalanche danger

Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
2. Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.