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Dogs allowedEasy

Upper Clutha River Track

Otago

5101521.1 km302 m
↑ 171 m gain↓ 177 m descenthigh 302 msteepest 23 %
DISTANCE21.1 km
ASCENT171 m
DURATION4h 30m
STEEPEST23 %

Route and dog-access details for this walk come from the Department of Conservation, licensed CC BY 4.0. DOC’s own wording: “Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times”. Evidence: the rule-setter’s own published wording. How we check dog rules.

Nearest emergency vetRemarkable Vets (Queenstown) - 24hr emergency, Queenstown~60 min drive · 24/7
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The route

Good to know

Dogs are allowed here. Watch for ground-nesting birds and stock, and read the signs at the gate.

Usually a quiet track

About Upper Clutha River Track

This full-day walk follows 21.1 km, in Otago.

The track can also be joined at its Albert Town end: from the car park off Kinnibeg Street a short path leads to Pawsons Crossing, the footbridge over the Cardrona River mouth, and the riverbank spur inside Cardrona River Mouth Reserve is a favourite spot for a dog swim. Suggested by Petra and Bowzer, checked against DOC's Wanaka brochure and QLDC's dog control policy.

It sits at the easy end and gains roughly 171 m, pitching up to 23 % at its steepest, and takes about 4h 30m to walk.

Dogs are welcome here.

Stay nearby

Dog-friendly places to sleep within 25 km of the trailhead, each one with the distance shown. Sort out the stay, then walk.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my dog on Upper Clutha River Track?

Yes, dogs are welcome on Upper Clutha River Track. DOC's own wording for this track: "Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times".

How long is Upper Clutha River Track?

Upper Clutha River Track is 21.1 km with roughly 171 m of climb and takes about 4h 30m.

From the pack

Walked and logged 2 times by the pack.

Walks nearby

The closest dog-friendly tracks to this trailhead, by straight-line distance.

EasyCromwell
1.9 km↑29 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating
Swim spotShadeGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.
HardPembroke
14 km↑59 m2h 48m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
EasyWānaka
2.3 km↑10 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.

More in Otago

ModerateQueenstown
15 km↑253 m4.5–5 hr★4.6 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.
ModerateDunedin
1.0 km↑20 mabout 19 min★4.4 rating
ShadeGood with kids
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Moderate.
EasyOwaka
1.6 km↑31 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating
ShadeGood with kidsPram friendly
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Easy.

See every dog-friendly track in Otago →

On a curated trip

This track is one leg of a longer dog-friendly route.

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