Devils Creek Track
A one way advanced tramp from Skippers Saddle over Mount Dewar, down into Devils Creek and out past bluffs to Coronet Peak Road.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open, with cautions. DOC's track page and its Queenstown area listing showed no alerts for Devils Creek Track on 18 September 2026. The council has Skippers Road closed at the Saddle, where this track starts, because of multiple slips, with its next update due 21 September 2026 (read 18 September 2026). The notice does not say whether the saddle parking can be used; the finish is on Coronet Peak Road, which the notice does not list. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (Skippers Road) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 6 hours one way
- Distance
- 8.1 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- High point
- 1,310 m at Mount Dewar
- Grade
- Advanced tramping track
- Surface
- Tussock grassland, a steep drop into Devils Creek, beech and shrubland, then a climb past bluffs to a low saddle; marked and signposted
- Winter
- Not a winter walk
- Starts at
- Skippers Saddle, on the road to Skippers off Coronet Peak Road
- Bus
- No Orbus stop within 1.2 km of the start
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Bikes
- Bikes allowed
- Buggies and wheelchairs
- Not suitable for buggies. Not wheelchair accessible
- Cost
- Free
In short: Devils Creek Track is an advanced tramping track that DOC lists as 8.1 km and 6 hours one way. It starts past the summit of Mount Dewar, an hour's climb from Skippers Saddle, drops into Devils Creek and climbs out to finish on Coronet Peak Road.
What the track is like
Open tussock with views across the Whakatipu Basin, the enclosed Devils Creek catchment with remnant beech, and a finish above Coronet Peak Road looking back over the basin.
Start at Skippers Saddle: park near the cattle grid, cross the wooden stile beside the locked gate and climb the access road for about 1 hour to the summit of Mount Dewar (1,310 m). A short way past the transmission towers a signposted junction marks the start of the Devils Creek Track.
The track crosses tussock grassland with views of the Whakatipu Basin, then drops, gently at first and then steeply, into the Devils Creek catchment. It passes remnant beech and grey shrubland, climbs out past bluffs to a low saddle in the ridge and descends to the Coronet Peak Road access point. The route crosses conservation and private land: follow the markers and signposts.
DOC's track page gives 8.1 km and 6 hours one way; DOC's April 2025 brochure lists the trip from Skippers Saddle to Coronet Peak Road as 12 km and 5 to 6 hours. It can be done in either direction, but DOC says it is easier from the Skippers Saddle and Mount Dewar side. The finish rejoins Coronet Peak Road about 3 km downhill from the saddle, so leave a car there or arrange a pick-up.
The junction near the summit is the place to decide. Once you drop into Devils Creek, turning back means climbing out again, so go on only with settled weather and most of the day ahead. Bikes are allowed (the brochure shows cycle Grade 3), but DOC says the climb out of Devils Creek is steep and technical.
How to get to the start
From Queenstown take Gorge Road to Arthurs Point and turn up Coronet Peak Road. After about 4 km turn left onto the unsealed road signposted to Skippers and continue to Skippers Saddle, where DOC provides parking near the cattle grid. DOC's Skippers brochure says rental cars are generally prohibited beyond Skippers Saddle; the track starts at the saddle, but check your rental agreement for the unsealed road up to it. On 18 September 2026 the council has Skippers Road closed at the Saddle because of multiple slips; the notice puts the closure at the saddle itself and does not say whether its parking can be used, so check the council's next update, due 21 September 2026, before driving up. The Coronet Peak Road finish is the other way onto the track, though DOC says it is easier from the saddle side.
The finish is on Coronet Peak Road, about 3 km downhill from the saddle by road. There is no Orbus stop within walking distance of either end: the nearest, Arthurs Point (Coronet Hotels) on route 4, is about 2.7 km from the finish and 4.7 km from the saddle.
- Start: Skippers Saddle, on the road to Skippers off Coronet Peak Road (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: In the areas provided near the cattle grid at Skippers Saddle (DOC)
- From Queenstown: Gorge Road to Arthurs Point, up Coronet Peak Road, then left onto the unsealed road signposted to Skippers after about 4 km (DOC)
- Finish: Coronet Peak Road access point, about 3 km downhill from Skippers Saddle (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- By bus: There is no Orbus stop within walking distance of either end: the nearest, Arthurs Point (Coronet Hotels) on route 4, is about 4.7 km from Skippers Saddle and 2.7 km from the Coronet Peak Road finish. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open, with cautions on 18 September 2026. DOC's track page and its Queenstown area listing showed no alerts for Devils Creek Track on 18 September 2026. The council has Skippers Road closed at the Saddle, where this track starts, because of multiple slips, with its next update due 21 September 2026 (read 18 September 2026). The notice does not say whether the saddle parking can be used; the finish is on Coronet Peak Road, which the notice does not list. Check Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (Skippers Road) (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC says the higher tracks around Queenstown can carry snow and ice from autumn through winter and often into spring, and this route starts over Mount Dewar at 1,310 m. In September and October check conditions with the DOC Queenstown Visitor Centre and the council's Skippers Road closure at the saddle, and expect snow on the tussock to make it slower than DOC's times. |
| Summer (December to February) | The practical season for a 6 hour one way tramp: long days cover up to 6 hours on the track and the car shuffle between Skippers Saddle and Coronet Peak Road. Carry plenty of water and sun protection on the open tussock. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Snow and ice can return to the higher tracks from autumn (DOC). With shorter days, Mount Dewar on its own is the better choice unless you start at first light. |
| Winter (June to August) | Rated avoid for June to August here: a 6 hour advanced tramp over a 1,310 m summit that DOC says is exposed to snow and ice in winter, starting from an unsealed road DOC says only experienced drivers should attempt. |
What to know before you go
- DOC's advanced tramping grade means mostly unformed track that may be rough and steep, for people with moderate to high fitness and backcountry experience. DOC says navigation, river crossing and survival skills are required, and tramping boots.
- Snow and ice: DOC says the higher tracks can be exposed from autumn through winter and often into spring, and the route crosses Mount Dewar at 1,310 m.
- DOC's times run from 5 to 6 hours (brochure, from Skippers Saddle) to 6 hours (track page) one way. Plan on at least 6 hours, start early, and carry food, water, warm and waterproof layers and a headtorch.
- The climb out of Devils Creek passes bluffs and is steep and technical for bikes; keep to the marked route.
- DOC asks trampers to leave their plans with a trusted contact and carry a distress beacon.
- No dogs. Stay on the track through private land and leave gates as you find them.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Devils Creek Track?
DOC's track page lists 8.1 km and 6 hours one way. DOC's brochure gives 12 km and 5 to 6 hours from Skippers Saddle to Coronet Peak Road.
Where does the Devils Creek Track start and finish?
It starts at a signposted junction just past the transmission towers near Mount Dewar's summit, an hour's climb from Skippers Saddle, and finishes on Coronet Peak Road about 3 km downhill from the saddle.
Which direction is easier on the Devils Creek Track?
DOC says it is easier starting from the Skippers Saddle and Mount Dewar side.
Is the Devils Creek Track hard?
Yes. DOC grades it an advanced tramping track: mostly unformed and possibly rough and steep, for people with moderate to high fitness, backcountry experience, navigation, river crossing and survival skills, and tramping boots.
Can you mountain bike the Devils Creek Track?
Yes. DOC says it is steep up to Mount Dewar and the climb out of Devils Creek is steep and technical.
Are dogs allowed on the Devils Creek Track?
No. DOC does not allow dogs.
Is there a bus to the Devils Creek Track?
No. The nearest Orbus stop, Arthurs Point (Coronet Hotels) on route 4, is about 2.7 km from the Coronet Peak Road finish and 4.7 km from Skippers Saddle.
Nearby walks
- Mt Dewar
2.5 km one way to the summit · 1 hour one way to the summit · Advanced tramping track
- Atleys Track
13.7 km one way · 5 to 6 hours one way · Advanced tramping track
- Morningstar Track
2 km one way, back the same way · 30 minutes one way · Walking track (DOC describes it as a short, easy walk)
Get the Thursday email
One expensive Queenstown decision a week, settled with dated prices and the free alternative, plus three things the week favours. Free. It also carries the one launch email, so you are on the app waitlist too.
One email every Thursday at 6am: one Queenstown decision settled with numbers, and three things the week favours. Plus one email when the app launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Related guides
- Do you need a car in Queenstown?
Where the bus gets you, where it does not, and what a car, shuttle or tour costs instead.
- How far is it from Queenstown? Drive times and the bus beside every one
Fourteen places, the road distance and time, and the bus, coach or honest 'no bus' beside every one.
- Queenstown safety: the numbers, the hills, the roads and the lake
111 and 105, the Land Safety Code, chains, the 10-degree lake, and why ACC is not travel insurance.
Sources: DOC, Devils Creek Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (April 2025) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown area (track listing and alerts) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Skippers area (alerts and road) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Skippers: walks and tracks in the Shotover valley (brochure) (opens in a new tab), OpenStreetMap (Nominatim), Devils Creek Track (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus Queenstown GTFS (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (28 August 2026, updated since) (opens in a new tab) and DOC, Walking track categories (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. Start coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.