Sawpit Gully Trail
Arrowtown · Otago · Loop
This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. The rule-setter’s own wording: “Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control at all times. That is the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust's current wording for the Mahu Whenua covenants this walkway crosses; the Trust is the walkway's controlling authority, appointed in the 2022 gazette notice that declared it”. Evidence: a hand-checked correction against the authority. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
Dogs are allowed here. Watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.
About Sawpit Gully Trail
This long track follows 7.9 km as a loop, near Arrowtown in Otago.
This track climbs through the Mahu Whenua covenants, the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust open space covenants over four high country stations behind Arrowtown. The Trust is the controlling authority for the declared walkway and its own page welcomes dogs kept under control at all times. One older district council walks listing still says no dogs here; the council's own trail register hands the track to Mahu Whenua, and the Trust's current wording is the one that governs, so we have gone with the source. Thanks to Amanda and Henry for sending us back to it. Stock graze these hills and the odd rogue goat turns up on the tops, so keep your dog close through open country.
Expect moderate going, with around 387 m of climb, pitching up to 39 % at its steepest.
Along the way there are native forest, river frontage, big views, and waterfalls. Dogs are welcome here. Walkers rate it 4.7 / 5 across 1,785 reviews.
