Since February 2005, Susan Stevens, chairwoman of the Gibbston Community Association, has worked more than 10 hours a day to construct an 8.5km walking and cycling trail alongside the Kawarau River.
The last of the 14 bridges for the $1.4 million trail was installed last month.
"It really is long hours right now, but it's not depressing because the end is in sight," Ms Stevens said.
Over the years, she has found countless volunteers to help construct the trail, secured over a million dollars in funding, and organised easement with nine of 10 landowners.
The trail crosses about 80% of private land and previous public access has been limited because of the rugged terrain.
The stretch of trail awaiting easement passes around the Peregrine Wines company.
Ms Stevens said a meeting had been held with an Opus consultant to begin the development of an alternative route alongside the Gibbston Highway.
A Department of Conservation estimate of potential visitor figures predicted the Gibbston Trail could attract more than 20,000 people a year.
"The trail simply wouldn't exist without Susan ... I've seen her physical and mental exhaustion over the years," Doc area manager Greg Lind said.
Doc will be responsible for maintenance of the trail after the official opening.
Mr Lind said Doc's initial plan was to open the trail primarily for mountain biking purposes but the Gibbston community expressed concern.
Last week, Ms Stevens met with a representative from Fat Tyre Mountain Biking Tours to discuss the potential issues of trail commerce.
Mr Lind said interest had been expressed recently from three cycling companies but Doc had not received any official applications for consent.
The official opening ceremony will be held as a community celebration and will use the 2.7km Wentworth Bridge Loop track for the first official walk, starting and finishing at Peregrine Wines.
Ms Stevens said she still had to secure signs, move picnic tables and resolve an ongoing fencing issue.
"I'm working every day and my head is firing in a thousand different directions but we are nearly there."
An extra workload has been added by people who are ignoring the no entry signs.
"We are excited, other people are excited - people need to stay off the trail until it's ready ... complaints just make my life harder," Ms Stevens said.
After the opening, she would continue to assist Doc if necessary, and "take a much needed break", she said.
