Ben Ohau
The walk to the top of Ben Ohau takes a good half to full day, depending on how leisurely you want to take it. At the top there are 360 degree views of the MacKenzie Basin and lakes Ohau, Pukaki, Benmore and Ruataniwha.
| List Status | Official |
| Elevation | 1,522 m (4,993 ft) |
| Location/List | South Island, New Zealand |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Location Coordinates | 44° 15′ 37″ S, 169° 54′ 28″ E |
| Nearest Town/s | Twizel
|
| Range | Ben Ohau Range |
| Geology | Sedimentary |
| Recommended Route | |
|---|---|
Duration  |
4-5 hours (return) |
| Distance | 11.0 km (6.8 mi) |
| Start/End Points | The track is located off Glen Lyon Road which travels around the eastern edge of Lake Ohau. |
| Difficulty |
Medium |
| Track conditions |
4WD Road |
| Season |
Summer, autumn. Could be attempted at other times of year if not snow-covered. |
| Sights | Views , 360 degree views of the MacKenzie Basin |
| Hazards | Snow, Ice |
Getting There
By Car
To get there by car, take Glen Lyon Road from near Twizel. It’s probably a good idea to refer to a map as you’ll need to negotiate a canal or two before you you get to the end of the road where the carpark is! Eventually you will find a carpark and a DOC sign on the eastern side of Lake Ohau, that indicates the start of the walk.
Google Earth Map
- You can also
view Ben Ohau in Google Earth
NZ Topographic Map
Our Recommended Route
A DOC sign indicates the start of the walk up Ben Ohau. Follow the farm road up through remnant beech forest and up the western flank of Ben Ohau Peak. Eventually you reach a saddle where a fence line crosses the track. From the saddle, the route leaves the road, and you’ll need to scramble a further 152 metres to the summit of Ben Ohau Peak at 1522 metres.
At the top there are 360 degree views of the MacKenzie Basin and lakes Ohau, Pukaki, Benmore and Ruataniwha. On a nice day you can have lunch on the top.
Take plenty of water as much of the walk is in the sun. In winter and in westerly wind conditions, it can be cold.