South Island · region

Dog-friendly tracks in Otago

Otago has 198 dog-friendly tracks mapped and 88 with water on the route, around Queenstown, Dunedin and Arrowtown. The top-rated is Kelvin Heights Peninsula Loop near Queenstown.

198 tracks53 where they can run88 with water on the route12 DOC campsites

Easy 102Moderate 73Hard 22Expert 1

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The complete list

All 198 tracks in Otago

Sorted by rating. Every entry opens its full trail sheet with the elevation profile, dog verdict and nearest places to stay. To filter and explore interactively, use the map above.

Kelvin Heights Peninsula Loop

EasyQueenstown

3.5 km↑6 m0.5–1 hr★4.8 rating

Swim spot

Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley Wineries Trail

HardArrowtown

22 km↑149 m5.5–6 hr★4.9 rating

Swim spotShade

Sawpit Gully Trail

ModerateArrowtown

7.9 km↑387 m★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Lake Alta Track

ModerateQueenstown

3.5 km↑203 m★4.7 rating

Swim spot

Mount Crichton Loop Track

ModerateQueenstown

8.0 km↑302 m2.5–3 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Picnic Point via Bobs Cove Track

ModerateQueenstown

3.9 km↑78 m1–1.5 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Arrow River Bridges Trail: Arrowtown to Gibbston

ModerateWānaka

13 km↑94 m3–3.5 hr★4.8 rating

Swim spotShade

Bannockburn Sluicings Loop

EasyCromwell

3.9 km↑123 m1–1.5 hr★4.7 rating

Mount Cargill Walk

HardDunedin

8.7 km↑548 m3.5–4 hr★4.7 rating

Shade

Purakaunui Falls Track

EasyOwaka

0.8 km↑18 mabout 12 min★4.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Wanaka Millennium Walkway

HardWānaka

28 km↑165 m7–7.5 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spot

Glendhu Bay Track

ModerateWānaka

10 km↑137 m2.5–3 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spot

Mount Iron from Hidden Hills

ModerateWānaka

3.1 km↑177 m1–1.5 hr★4.7 rating

Mount Iron Track

ModerateWānaka

4.7 km↑235 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Lake Hayes Walkway

EasyArrowtown

8.0 km↑58 m2–2.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Queenstown Gardens Loop

EasyQueenstown

1.9 km↑10 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kidsPram friendly

Queenstown to Kelvin Heights Peninsula

HardQueenstown

31 km↑60 m6.5–7 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

The Outlet Track

ModerateWānaka

12 km↑33 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kidsPram friendly

Queenstown to Sunshine Bay

ModerateQueenstown

6.9 km↑59 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Mount Iron from Wanaka Luggate Highway Carpark

ModerateWānaka

3.9 km↑220 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Jack's Point Track

ModerateQueenstown

15 km↑253 m4.5–5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Flagstaff Summit via McGouns Creek and Pineapple Flagstaff Track

HardDunedin

8.4 km↑501 m3.5–4 hr★4.6 rating

The Big Easy Signal Hill Track to Signal Hill Lookout

ModerateDunedin

11 km↑279 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Rock Peak Track

ModerateArrowtown

8.0 km↑418 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Flagstaff Loop from the Bullring Carpark

ModerateMosgiel

5.6 km↑237 m2–2.5 hr★4.6 rating

Sawpit Gully Short Track

ModerateArrowtown

4.0 km↑192 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Arrow River Bridges Trail

EasyArrowtown

4.0 km↑6 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Peregrine Loop

EasyArrowtown

2.4 km↑48 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Queenstown to Arrowtown Trail via Millbrook

ModerateQueenstown

22 km↑244 m5.5–6 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Bennetts Bluff View Point Walk

EasyQueenstown

0.6 km↑12 mabout 11 min★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kidsPram friendly

Huriawa Pā Walk

EasyKaritane

2.7 km↑46 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Queenstown to Jacks Point Track

HardQueenstown

24 km↑190 m5.5–6.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Trotter's Gorge Track

ModeratePalmerston

2.3 km↑128 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Luggate Creek Track

EasyCromwell

1.9 km↑29 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Baldwin Street: The World's Steepest Street

ModerateDunedin

0.8 km↑47 mabout 20 min★4.6 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Kawarau River Track from Cromwell

ModerateCromwell

19 km↑41 m4.5–5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

Glenorchy Lagoon Walk

EasyGlenorchy

5.0 km↑6 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Basin View Short Track

ModerateAlexandra

4.7 km↑162 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spot

New Chum Loop

ModerateArrowtown

7.4 km↑310 m★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Bob's Cove Track

EasyQueenstown

11 km↑212 m3–3.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Ross Creek Reservoir Trail

EasyDunedin

3.1 km↑57 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Arrow River Trail to Norman Smith Bridge

ModerateArrowtown

3.7 km↑62 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

The Wanaka Tree Walk

EasyWānaka

0.5 km↑0 mabout 6 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Oxenbridge Tunnel Track

EasyQueenstown

1.4 km↑21 mabout 22 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Diamond Creek Track

EasyQueenstown

6.9 km↑3 m1.5–2 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Waterfall Creek Track

EasyWānaka

4.8 km↑0 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Matai and Horseshoe Falls

ModerateOwaka

1.1 km↑36 mabout 22 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Arrowtown Chinese Settlement Walk

EasyArrowtown

0.5 km↑15 mabout 8 min★4.6 rating

Good with kidsPram friendly

Alexandra to Clyde River Track

EasyAlexandra

23 km↑20 m5–5.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Hawea River Track

ModerateWānaka

20 km↑57 m5–5.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Kanuka Track

ModerateCromwell

11 km↑466 m3.5–4 hr★4.5 rating

Twelve Mile Delta to Bob’s Cove Track

ModerateQueenstown

12 km↑249 m3.5–4 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Arrow River Trail via Millennium Walkway

ModerateArrowtown

12 km↑52 m2.5–3 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Surat Bay Beach Walk

EasyOwaka

6.6 km↑10 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Gibbston River Trail

ModerateArrowtown

13 km↑208 m3.5–4 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spot

Big Hill Walkway

HardArrowtown

15 km↑725 m5.5–6.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

88 Shared Path Extension: St Leonards to Maia

ModerateDunedin

9.0 km↑24 m1.5–2 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Oamaru Public Gardens

EasyOamaru

1.8 km↑0 mabout 23 min★4.6 rating

Good with kids

Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway

EasyGlenorchy

3.4 km↑6 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Nicols Creek Walk

ModerateDunedin

0.6 km↑45 mabout 15 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Fraser's Gully Track

ModerateDunedin

4.2 km↑142 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Deans Bank Track

ModerateWānaka

11 km↑130 m2.5–3 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Nicols Falls

ModerateDunedin

1.3 km↑103 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Blue Lake Track

EasyOturehua

4.0 km↑86 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Butterfield Wetland Track

EasyWānaka

2.3 km↑10 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Twelve Mile Delta Campsite to Rocky Beach

ModerateQueenstown

4.8 km↑74 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Tunnel Hill Track

EasyOwaka

0.3 km↑0 mabout 6 min★4.4 rating

Pounawea Scenic Reserve Nature Walk

EasyOwaka

2.1 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Lowe Shotover Kimi Akau Trail

ModerateQueenstown

18 km↑199 m4.5–5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spot

Gabriels Gully Interpretation Walk

ModerateLawrence

2.9 km↑114 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Otago Dam Track

ModerateLawrence

5.5 km↑224 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Dynamo Hut Track

ModerateArrowtown

8.7 km↑319 m2.5–3 hr★4.8 rating

Swim spot

Clyde Lookout Loop

ModerateClyde

2.1 km↑73 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Fernhill Loop via One Mile Track

HardQueenstown

9.8 km↑638 m4–4.5 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Clutha Outlet Loop

EasyWānaka

7.1 km↑57 m1.5–2 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Jubilee Park Walk

ModerateDunedin

1.0 km↑20 mabout 19 min★4.4 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Leith Saddle Track

ModerateDunedin

6.1 km↑339 m2–2.5 hr★4.3 rating

Shade

Arawata Bridle Track

EasyQueenstown

4.2 km↑110 m1–1.5 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spot

Outram Glen to Lee Stream Walk

ModerateOutram

8.9 km↑146 m2.5–3 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Tucker Beach Track

ModerateQueenstown

6.8 km↑56 m1.5–2 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spot

Lake Hayes Estate Loop

ModerateQueenstown

5.3 km↑54 m1–1.5 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Matakauri Park Boardwalk

EasyQueenstown

1.8 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Good with kids

Swampy Summit, Burns Creek, and Leith Saddle Loop

ModerateDunedin

11 km↑424 m4–4.5 hr★4.3 rating

Shade

Homestead Track

EasyOturehua

3.1 km↑41 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Lower Manorburn Dam via Tucker Hill Road

EasyAlexandra

7.2 km↑53 m1.5–2 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Aramoana Spit Walk

EasyPort Chalmers

1.9 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr

Swim spot

Toko Mouth Loop

EasyMilton

1.6 km↑4 mabout 19 min

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Shotover Gorge and Beach Link Loop Trail

ModerateQueenstown

2.9 km↑69 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Kaka Point Bush Walk

EasyOwaka

1.6 km↑31 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

ShadeGood with kidsPram friendly

Ruby Island Walk

EasyWānaka

0.8 km↑18 mabout 11 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Hanley's Farm Loop

EasyQueenstown

4.0 km↑37 m1–1.5 hr★4.3 rating

Blair Athol Walkway

EasyBalclutha

4.5 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotGood with kidsPram friendly

Bullendale Hut Track

ModerateArrowtown

9.0 km↑450 m3–3.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spot

Purakaunui Bay Walk

EasyOwaka

1.3 km↑16 mabout 20 min

Swim spot

Clyde Lookout Walk

ModerateClyde

1.4 km↑69 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

St. Clair to Lawyers Head Trail

EasyDunedin

7.9 km↑15 m1.5–2 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Commisioners Track

ModerateRoxburgh

1.8 km↑33 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShade

Lake Waihola Domain Walk

EasyOutram

1.8 km↑0 mabout 21 min

Swim spotGood with kids

Munro’s Gully Track

ModerateLawrence

5.0 km↑237 m1.5–2 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotShade

Horseshoe Bend Bridge from Ettrick-Raes Junction Road

EasyRoxburgh

3.9 km↑54 m1–1.5 hr★3.7 rating

Swim spot

Racemans Track

ModerateMosgiel

6.3 km↑106 m1.5–2 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShade

Crystal Battery Track to Crystal Hut

ModerateQueenstown

4.5 km↑193 m1.5–2 hr★3.9 rating

Woodhaugh Gardens Loop

EasyDunedin

1.1 km↑6 mabout 16 min★4.0 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kidsPram friendly

Homestead Campsite Loop

ModerateOturehua

6.1 km↑163 m1.5–2 hr★3.8 rating

Trotters Creek Walk

EasyPalmerston

1.9 km↑19 m0.5–1 hr★3.9 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Glen Warren Reserve Walk

EasyOamaru

3.7 km↑64 m1–1.5 hr★4.0 rating

Silverstream Trail Northern End

EasyMosgiel

2.3 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.9 rating

Good with kids

Logan Park Loop

EasyDunedin

1.9 km↑6 m0.5–1 hr★3.8 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Barrs Falls Walk

EasyOwaka

0.2 km↑0 mabout 2 min★3.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Te Kere Haka Track

EasyQueenstown

3.7 km↑89 m1–1.5 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotShade

Silverstream Trail Southern End

EasyMosgiel

2.3 km↑13 m0.5–1 hr★3.5 rating

Swim spot

Earnscleugh Tailings Track

EasyAlexandra

6.0 km↑31 m1–1.5 hr★3.8 rating

Swim spot

Fairfield Old Houses Walk

EasyDunedin

5.0 km↑54 m1–1.5 hr★3.3 rating

Awakiki Bush Track

EasyBalclutha

2.3 km↑40 m0.5–1 hr★3.2 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Dublin Bay Track

ModerateWānaka

15 km↑168 m4–4.5 hr★3.7 rating

Swim spot

One Mile Creek Walk

ModerateQueenstown

2.7 km↑192 m1–1.5 hr★3.9 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Lake Face Creek Falls Walk

ModerateQueenstown

0.6 km↑30 mabout 13 min★3.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Sir Truby King Railway Bridge Walking Track

EasyOwaka

1.1 km↑0 mabout 14 min

Swim spot

Atley Road to Shotover River

ModerateQueenstown

1.4 km↑42 m0.5–1 hr

Swim spotShade

Woodside Glen Walk

EasyMosgiel

0.7 km↑37 m12m

Long Beach (South) Walking Track

EasyPort Chalmers

0.4 km↑7 m6m

Barrs Falls Walking Track

EasyOwaka

0.2 km↑0 m2m

Mapoutahi Track

EasyPort Chalmers

0.2 km↑0 m2m

Newcastle Track

HardPembroke

14 km↑59 m2h 48m

Obelisk Loop Track

HardAlexandra

10 km↑276 m2h 30m

Kopuwai Track to Sisters Track

ModerateAlexandra

7.7 km↑166 m1h 48m

Otago Central Rail Trail: Clyde to Alexandra Section

ModerateAlexandra

5.1 km↑5 m1h 1m

Lake Roxburgh Walkway: Butchers Point to Doctors Point

ModerateAlexandra

5.1 km↑14 m1h 2m

Otago Central Rail Trail: Lauder Section

ModerateAlexandra

5.0 km↑0 m1h

Otago Central Rail Trail: Chatto Creek Section

EasyAlexandra

4.9 km↑0 m58m

Seven Mile Point Track

EasyQueenstown

2.7 km↑91 m41m

Nicholsons Track

HardAlexandra

2.7 km↑0 m31m

Roxburgh Faces Tramping Track

EasyAlexandra

2.5 km↑7 m31m

Around Blue Lake Track

Easy

3.8 km↑73 m52m

Blue Lake Loop Walk

Easy

1.7 km↑21 m23m

Bob's Cove-12 Mile Delta-Crichton Track

Moderate

8.0 km↑221 m1h 57m

Butterfields Wetland Track

Easy

1.1 km↑4 m13m

Dark Elliots Track

Moderate

5.3 km↑4 m1h 4m

Deans Bank Track (Mtb)

Hard

12 km↑186 m2h 42m

Alexandra

Moderate

5.0 km↑16 m1h 2m

Gibbston River Trail-Peregrine Loop Tk

Hard

11 km↑279 m2h 45m

Hikuwai Link Track

Easy

0.6 km↑1 m7m

Huriawa Pa Walking Track

EasyKaritane

1.0 km↑29 m15m

Jacks Blowhole Walking Track

Easy

1.5 km↑76 m25m

Kaka Point Walk

Easy

1.7 km↑24 m22m

Kanuka Loop Track

Hard

9.7 km↑379 m2h 33m

Lake Alta Tk

Moderate

1.2 km↑172 m31m

Leith Saddle Walkway (Track)

EasyDunedin

1.0 km↑57 m17m

Leith Saddle Walkway (Walk)

ModerateDunedin

1.7 km↑252 m45m

Matai Falls Walk

Easy

0.9 km↑23 m13m

Middlemarch 70 To 64

Moderate

5.6 km↑21 m1h 9m

Oturehua

Easy

5.0 km↑0 m59m

Outram Glen Walk

Easy

1.5 km↑29 m21m

Poolburn Tunnelers Camp Track

Easy

0.1 km↑0 m1m

Ranfurly

Easy

5.0 km↑45 m1h 4m

River Face Track

Moderate

2.6 km↑281 m59m

Ryders Scotchmans Creek Tracks

Hard

6.3 km↑459 m2h 1m

Sunny Elliots Track

Easy

4.8 km↑3 m58m

Taieri Diversion Tunnel Track (Ocrt)

Easy

0.4 km↑0 m4m

Te Kere Haka Walking Track

Easy

3.0 km↑82 m44m

Trotters Cave Walk

Easy

0.6 km↑0 m7m

Trotters Gorge Track

Easy

1.3 km↑94 m24m

Upper Clutha River Track

Easy

21 km↑171 m4h 30m

Bannockburn Inlet to Bannockburn Bridge

EasyBannockburn

1.0 km↑26 m14 min

Bannockburn Inlet to Cornish Point

ModerateBannockburn

6.1 km↑93 mabout 1 hr 22

Flagstaff to Swampy Summit via Swampy Ridge Track

HardDunedin

14 km↑534 m3 hr 38 min

Sullivans Dam to Mount Cargill via Escarpment Track

HardDunedin

4.6 km↑450 mabout 1 hr 39

Forrester Park: K9, Forrester Loop and Spooky Forest

EasyDunedin

3.5 km↑116 m53 min

Burns, Pipeline and Rustlers Ridge Loop

ModerateDunedin

6.1 km↑260 mabout 1 hr 39

Lake Dunstan Trail, Cromwell to Smiths Way

HardCromwell

16 km↑71 m3 hr 21 min

45th Parallel Loop Track

ModerateCromwell

2.2 km↑100 m36 min

Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki Walk

EasyMoeraki

0.3 km↑0 m4 min

Koekohe Beach to Hampden Beach

EasyMoeraki

2.8 km↑18 m34 min

Sullivans Dam Loop

EasyDunedin

1.5 km↑17 m19 min

Silverpeaks Circuit Track

ExpertDunedin

23 km↑1354 m6 hr 46 min

Cape Wanbrow Loop

EasyOamaru

1.8 km↑62 m28 min

Bush Creek Walkway

EasyArrowtown

0.6 km↑21 m9 min

Tobins Track

ModerateArrowtown

2.3 km↑256 m53 min

Lismore Park Loop

EasyWānaka

1.9 km↑13 m24 min

Truby King Recreation Reserve

EasySeacliff

0.7 km↑8 m9 min

Gladstone Track to the Timaru Creek Road End

HardLake Hāwea

13 km↑139 mabout 2 hr 55

Cannibal Bay Beach

EasyOwaka

1.1 km↑0 m12 min

Warrington Beach

EasyWarrington

0.6 km↑1 m6 min

Boundary Creek Track

HardMakarora

3.4 km↑556 mabout 1 hr 36

Careys Creek Track

HardDunedin

9.4 km↑380 mabout 2 hr 31

Dunedin Tunnels Trail

EasyMosgiel

1.2 km↑41 m18 min

Lake Tuakitoto Walkway

EasyKaitangata

4.1 km↑5 m49 min

Willsher Bay Beach Walk

EasyKaka Point

2.3 km↑12 m28 min

Bites Beach, Kaka Point

EasyKaka Point

0.6 km↑4 m7 min

Balclutha Aerodrome River Loop

EasyBalclutha

3.8 km↑9 m46 min

Silverstream Floodbank: Wingatui Road to Reid Avenue

EasyMosgiel

2.9 km↑6 m35 min

Silverstream Floodbank: Reid Avenue to Riccarton Road

EasyMosgiel

4.3 km↑9 m52 min

Beach Road North

EasyOamaru

4.5 km↑37 m58 min

Brow Peak Route

HardArrowtown

6.2 km↑592 m2 hr 14 min

Grovers Hill Track

EasyRoxburgh

2.6 km↑80 m39 min

Butchers Dam Loop Track

EasyAlexandra

2.3 km↑27 m30 min

Eely Point Reserve

EasyWānaka

1.1 km↑17 m14 min

Second Beach Track

EasyDunedin

0.5 km↑14 m7 min

Pram friendly

Star ratings are average scores from the walkers who have logged each track.

Stay & walk

Dog-friendly campsites near Otago tracks

DOC campsites within reach of these tracks, check each one's dog rules before you book.

Keep exploring

More dog-friendly walks near Otago

Towns in Otago

Queenstown 31 Dunedin 26 Wānaka 21 Arrowtown 20 Alexandra 14 Owaka 13 Mosgiel 9 Cromwell 7 Oturehua 5 Oamaru 5 Balclutha 4 Lawrence 3

Nearby regions

Nelson-Tasman Marlborough West Coast Canterbury Southland

By feature

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