New Zealand is an amazing country for hikers and anyone who loves spending time outdoors. The scenery and landscapes here are truly superb – I spent a year living here, and was continually in awe of just how beautiful the country is! One of the best – and most underrated – hikes on the South Island and in the Mackenzie Region is Ben Ohau and the Greta Track. This prominent mountain peak jutting up from the shores of Lake Ohau is noticeable from all around the area. I could see it from my bedroom window in Twizel! This was one of my favorite hikes in the country – here’s my complete guide for summiting Ben Ohau.

Ben Ohau and the Greta Track Hike Overview

The actual distance for this hike varies depending on whether you stick along the Greta Track loop, or if you choose to detour to bag the true summit. The DOC and AllTrails list the Greta Track as 16km and 17.1km respectively. My stats are based on detouring to the true summit (over a boulder field as I didn’t realize there was a well-made trail further down!). The best time to do this hike is during the summer season, between November and April. In the off season, you’ll have to navigate snow and icy trails depending on the weather.

Distance: 19.4km (12.1 miles)

Time: 6-8 hours

Elevation gained: 1086 meters (3563 feet)

What to Pack for the Ben Ohau and Greta Track

You’ll want sturdy hiking boots, with good ankle support, for this hike. I love my Scarpa Mistral hiking boots! Hiking poles will save your knees – whichever direction you do the hike, you’ll have some steep descents and tough uphill climbs! Take all the food and snacks you’ll need for a full day of hiking, and plenty of water. There’s no drinking water available on the hike, so bring what you need! Pack sunscreen and a hat as well – the trail is almost completely exposed, and the sun can be dangerous. Don’t forget waterproof layers in case of inclement weather.

How to Get to the Trailhead

The Greta Track starts at a DOC trailhead on the eastern side of Lake Ohau. To reach the trailhead, you’ll need to drive approximately 6km on an unsealed, narrow, winding road. The road is fine to access in 2WD vehicles, although you’ll want to take your time as there are a few sharp turns and a nasty drop down into the lake! The road is quite narrow, and if you meet another car you’ll need to find a place where one of you can safely pull over. It’s about a half-hour drive from Twizel.

The Ascent Up to Ben Ohau

The trail is a loop, so you can choose which of the two routes you prefer. I highly recommend going clockwise, as it’ll be a much gentler ascent. From the trailhead and car park, turn right on the road and walk a short distance, crossing a bridge as you go. You’ll see another DOC sign for the Greta Track, and this is where you’ll leave the road and start the trek up the peak.

The first section of the Greta Track in this direction is a series of switchbacks, before the trail heads into the hillsides of the mountain. You’ll cross a few streams and hike through an impressive gully before coming out into the valley below the mountain.

From here, the trail meanders up to the ridge. The views here were amazing! It reminded me so much of my beloved Pennines in Northern England.

Summiting Ben Ohau

The Greta Track skirts the base of the peak – it doesn’t go to the actual top of Ben Ohau. It’s easy to get to the true summit, though. On the Greta Track, you’ll come to a broken gate with a noticeable path leading up on the left (or the right, if you’re hiking counter-clockwise). Follow this trail up and you’ll reach the summit of Ben Ohau! No need to make my mistake and scramble over a boulder field because you didn’t know if there was a path ahead or not! It took me 3 hours and 40 minutes from the car park to reach the Ben Ohau summit.

The views from the summit of Ben Ohau are simply spectacular. This was one of my favorite days in my entire six months living in Twizel – it was so incredible to see this beautiful area from up above! You can look down not just on Lake Ohau and across to the Ohau Ski Fields, but down on the town of Twizel, the canals, and Lake Ruataniwha.

I spent a lot of time up here, taking a million photos, and just soaking up the sunshine and the views. Best of all, I had the entire mountain and track to myself – I didn’t see a single other hiker the entire day!

After spending months gazing out at this mountain peak from my bedroom window, it felt so amazing to finally reach the top. It was one of my best moments from my year in New Zealand!

Descending Down the Mountain

From the mountain summit, it’s easy to retrace your steps down to the Greta Track. The trail then starts to descend down the mountain in a series of zig-zags and switchbacks. Some sections of the path are quite rocky, and can be really slippery, and it’s a really steep descent at some parts – I was very glad I had my hiking poles! There’s a great view over Lake Ohau as you go down the mountain in this direction.

Doing the trail in this direction means you’ll finish at the trailhead and car park. So, no need to trek back to your car, the hard work is over! Now you just have to drive back down the narrow gravel road, haha. It took me almost exactly 6 hours to do this hike, including half an hour at the summit.

Where to Stay in Twizel

The most convenient place to stay overnight when hiking Ben Ohau and the Greta Track is Twizel. Of course, I’ve got a lot of love for this small town, as I lived there for nearly six months!

Budget: High Country Lodge and Backpackers – a range of rooms from dorms to studios and suites, all with access to a communal kitchen

Mid-range: Mountain Chalets Motels – cozy chalets located in a convenient location in Twizel

Luxury: Matuka Lodge – a five-star property with beautiful rooms and impressive mountain views

Where to Camp Around Twizel

If you’re camping or traveling in a campervan, there are a number of decent campsites around Twizel to stay. Most free camps are close to Lake Pukaki, Lake Ruataniwha, and Lake Ohau. You can read my post on the best budget campsites for non-self-contained vehicles here! Here are a few options for campsites around Twizel:

Free Camp (Self-Contained and Non-Self-Contained): Lake Poaka DOC

Free Camp (Self-Contained Only): Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking, Lake Wardell Rest Area Overnight Campervan Parking, Lake Ruataniwha Reserve, Lake Ohau Freedom Camping

Caravan Park: Twizel Holiday Park

Ben Ohau and the Greta Track is such an underrated hike in New Zealand. It sees none of the crowds of other nearby popular hikes like the Hooker Valley in Mount Cook or Roy’s Peak in Wanaka! This is a challenging day hike, but so worth it for the magnificent views from the summit over the surrounding Mackenzie Region. I hope this post helps planning your hike up Ben Ohau!

Have you hiked Ben Ohau and the Greta Track? Which direction did you go and what was your experience like?

You might also like my posts:

21 Phenomenal Places You Must Visit in the Mackenzie Region, New Zealand

The Best Walks in Twizel, New Zealand

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All of my New Zealand posts!

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