Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park, Canterbury NZ

A pleasant circuit walk along the Waterfall Track and Spur Track to the impressive 41m high Dog Stream Waterfall, in Hanmer Forest Park.

Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park

This circuit walk to Dog Stream Waterfall along the Waterfall Track and Spur Track is a good half day option if you are staying in nearby Hanmer Springs. The falls are 41m high and on the day we visited there was quite deep snow making it all that bit more scenic. There are a couple of spots with views but this walk is mainly for the waterfall. 

Track notes at the end.

Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit: The Scenery

Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park
Crossing Dog Stream.
Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park
Lots of snow.
Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park
Sophia and me in front of Dog Stream Waterfall.
Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park
Looking up at Mt Isobel.
Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park
The Organ Range from a clearing on the Spur Track.
Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park
Nice lighting in pine forest on the Spur Track.

Track Notes

Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park
On marked tracks the whole way with a section of dirt road. (You can take the Fir Track instead). The Spur Track was a bit rougher than the Waterfall Track, with some tree fall to navigate around in August 2022.

We walked clockwise, taking the Spur Track on the way back, which required navigating some tree fall (and a bit of spikey / clingy bush lawyer). Returning back along the Waterfall Track would make it a 2-2.5 hour walk; around three hours using the Spur Track. You can also continue on to Mt Isobel from the waterfall, although we’ve not done that route.  After snow the track was quite icy and there were also deep drifts in places.

To get to the car park leave town on Jollies Pass Road, then take a left onto McIntyre Road, which continues into Mullans Road. The car park is at the end of this.   

There’s more info on walks in the area on the DOC website. I can recommend climbing nearby Dumblane and Mt Isobel from Jacks Pass.  

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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