Mt Pisa via Tinwald Burn Ridge Track, Central Otago NZ
A long hard walk up 1600m of elevation to reach the barren plateau on top of the Pisa Range, finishing at the summit of Mt Pisa (1963m).
The ascent of Mt Pisa is a pretty gruelling slog up 1600m of elevation over 12.5 km, but the otherworldly moonscape on top is impressive and worth the effort. Most of the climb is through farmland on a vehicle track, and when we did it there was a lot of animal dung around, so it wasn’t the most pleasant experience. Once out of the farmland and into the Pisa Conservation Area the terrain changes to a barren and rocky moonscape, and when on the plateau there’s a further 2km of mostly flat walking to rocks on the summit at 1963m of elevation.
There’s no shade at all for the length of the 25km walk so don’t forget your hat, and pick a mild day weather wise.
Looking up at Mt Pisa 1963m from near the start.
Track Notes
An obvious track/route the whole way.
We used track notes in Day Walks of New Zealand: Central Otago and Queenstown. The Tinwald Burn Ridge Track starts roughly here, and can be seen on the Google Maps satellite view, although it’s not marked as a track. The track reaches the plateau here, and then its a mostly flat walk north to the summit. Return the same way.
About half way there’s a fork in the track: take the left hand option as the right hand option enters private property. There was a sign noting this.
Mt Pisa via Tinwald Burn Ridge Track: The Scenery
Mt Pisa viewed from the east.
A panorama looking east. Approaching the summit plateau of the Pisa Range.
The view as you first ascend on to the plateau at about 1900m asl. Mt Aspiring in the distance, and it was also possible to see Mt Cook. We’d chosen a slightly cloudy day to avoid cooking in the sun on the way up – no shade for this walk. It was flat and barren up there.
Looking north-east-ish.
The summit rocks.
Looking towards the Clutha Valley and various mountains, including the Old Woman range where we walked in similar barren surroundings two years ago.
Having lunch on the summit. Looking north-west. The mountain sloped away more gently on the western side compared to the eastern side. Possibly Lake Wanaka in the distance. Returning. Lake Dunstan down there. Remnant snow despite being mid summer. My wife Sophia can be seen on the track to the right. It was a big wide open space. It was a desolate place on the plateau, with a few tors poking out here and there. About to commence the long descent back to the car. A very weird looking alpine plant. Looking east over Lake Dunstan.
