John Robinson · CC BY · Source: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai
DOC track

Mt Difficulty tracks

40.7km1 dayAdvanced

Alerts

DOC alerts

Loading…

Full alerts on doc.govt.nz

MetService warnings

Loading…

All warnings on metservice.com

Avalanche NZ

Check Avalanche NZ for the full avalanche forecast before you go.

Sorry, we can't show Avalanche NZ forecasts or alerts on this site. Avalanche NZ doesn't permit it.

DOC: Loading…MetService: Loading…
Notice

Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.

Enjoy fantastic views of Gibbston Valley and Cromwell basin along the way, and out to the Doolan mountains from the top.

Elevation

Climb
2,122m
Drop
2,442m
Highest point
1,268m
Lowest point
254m
500m1,000m010km20km30km40km
Move over the chart to read the height.
Open Scrub
Longest open stretch
31.1km

Cover mapped summer 2023/24.

Sampled from the national 8m elevation model. No LiDAR survey covers this route yet.

Description

The Mt Difficulty Track (16 km, 4 hr) branches off the Slapjack Saddle Track. It's a steep track that follows a mostly rough grassy 4WD track. Good route finding and map reading is required.

Loop option

Distance: 33 km

From Felton Road car park, follow Bannockburn Sluicings Track, Long Gully Loop Track, up Slapjack Saddle Track to Slapjack Saddle. From the saddle, follow Mt Difficulty Track clockwise and return to Felton Road car park.

Note, this option isn't possible from 1 October to 30 November when the Long Gully Loop Track is closed for lambing.

One-way option

Distance: 30 km

From Young Australian Historic Reserve Road, follow Slapjack Saddle Track to the Slapjack Saddle. From the saddle, follow Mt Difficulty Track until it rejoins the Slapjack Saddle Track. Continue on to the Felton Road car park on the Long Gully Loop Track and Bannockburn Sluicings Track.

Note, this option isn't possible from 1 October to 30 November when the Long Gully Loop Track is closed for lambing.

Return option

Distance: 38 km

From Young Australian Historic Reserve Road, follow Slapjack Saddle Track to the Slapjack Saddle. From the saddle, follow Mt Difficulty Track to Mt Difficulty. Return via the same track.

Note, this is the only option when the Long Gully Loop Track is closed for lambing from 1 October to 30 November.

Mountain biking

It's recommended to ride clockwise from Slapjack Saddle.

Getting there

The loop option starts from Felton Road, 8 km south-west of Cromwell.

The one-way and return options start from Young Australian Historic Reserve Road, off Nevis Road, about 60 km from Garston.

Know before you go

Most of the tracks in this area cross private property - stay on the tracks and roads and leave gates as you find them.

This is a very dry area with no water on the tracks - take water with you.

There are no designated campsites or huts in this area - do not camp on private land.

Remember that all rocks, historic artefacts (including earth and stone works), native plants and animals are protected on public land - tread carefully and take only photos.

Weather

Forecast at the start of the track