Access to the upper Ahuriri Valley is via the Birchwood Road. From the 4WD road end it is a short walk to the Canyon Creek picnic area.

Note: From here the track standard changes to tramping track and then a marked route over the spectacular canyon and through beech forest to the upper valley.

Getting there

The Mackenzie Basin is situated in the centre of New Zealand's South Island. It features mountains, lakes, rivers, beech forest remnants and rolling tussock country.

All of the walking tracks described here are easy to access from main roads and offer fantastic views of the Mackenzie high country, with the exception of Marker Bay which ends in a nestled cove beside Lake Pukaki.

Some of these walks include easements through private farmland. Please respect the landowners’ rights by keeping to the marked easements. These are well-signposted and marked by orange poles. Please ensure all public access gates for walkers are closed behind you.