Wakatipu Walkabout is recommending a more challenging trio of tramping trails than it has covered so far - Devils Creek Track, Shotover Canyon Track and Atley Track on Mt Dewar.
These excursions require good hiking footwear, provisions for a full day of tramping and would suit fit parties with some walking experience.
It would be a good idea to let someone know your intentions for the day as well, Department of Conservation Queenstown regional visitor centre supervisor Andrew Evans said.
The three tracks traverse the steep terrain of Mt Dewar and cross both Coronet Peak Station and Devils Creek and the Shotover Canyon Conservation Area, a mixture of private land and land administered by Doc.
Mr Evans said Devils Creek and Atley tracks were similar in length and looped, while Shotover Canyon was a short side-trip from Devils Creek Track.
"The best access to these tracks is from Skippers Saddle car park off the Coronet Peak Rd, which is already 1200m above sea level. The summit of Mt Dewar, at 1310m, is gained relatively easily after about a one-hour walk from the car park on a well-marked track.
"This high point of Mt Dewar offers a superb view of both the Wakatipu Basin and the Shotover River and mountains to the north."
Walkers have a choice of taking two tracks from the summit: either Devils Creek or Atley. The Atley descends steeply to the Atley Terrace Historic Reserve above the Shotover River.
Many historic goldmining features can seen on both sides of the river.
"From the terrace, walkers should pick up the track heading north above the Shotover River as it saddles the steep slopes of Mt Dewar and regains the Skippers Rd after about two-and-a-half hours," Mr Evans said.
"From Skippers Rd, a steep ascent awaits walkers back to the Skippers Saddle. There's a choice of returning via the Skippers Rd itself or crossing the road and ascending the rough track on the true-right of the creek commonly used by mountain bikers."
Trampers could also choose to take the Devils Creek Track from high on Mt Dewar, which descends through tussock grassland steeply but with great views of the basin.
After a two-hour descent, walkers can access the Shotover Canyon Track, a one-hour return side track which leads to the Shotover Creek Conservation Reserve.
Mr Evans said the track drops very steeply into the band of conservation reserve that stretches between Arthurs Pt and Skippers Rd.
From the Shotover Canyon Track junction, walkers would require another two hours to complete the Devils Creek Track, which regains the Coronet Peak Rd, 4km downhill from the Skippers Saddle turn-off.
"The two loop tracks are full-day excursions of five to six hours, while the Shotover Canyon Track would be two to three hours one way from either entrance," Mr Evans said.
"A shorter alternative for those seeking Mt Dewar's magnificent viewpoints but with limited time would be to use Skippers Saddle to access the peak and return the same way.
"The value of the area is it provides easy access to a remote stretch of the Shotover River and a summit with breathtaking panoramic views but without much technical difficulty."
