Rock and Pillar Range

The Rock and Pillar Range is in eastern Otago at the head of the Taeri Valley. Access is permitted at a number of points along State Highway 87. There are two well-maintained huts in the range, Big Hut (Rock and Pillar Trust) and Leaning Lodge (OT&MC). These can be linked to make an easy overnight trip or long day-trip from SH87. Travel is mostly on 4WD tracks but the track up to Big Hut is a poled tramping track.

The range is exposed to the south and east and experiences strong winds and heavy snow in winter. The crest of the range is over 1400m and visitors should be well prepared, carry adequate warm and windproof clothing and 1:50,000 topo maps or GPS. The round trip up to Big hut and out via Leaning Lodge takes around 7 hours including a 5km road walk between the two car parks. Route-finding is probably easiest going up to Leaning Lodge and on to Big Hut. If travelling in the reverse direction make for a prominent tor past Summit Rock on the eastern side of the ridge above Six Mile Creek. Once past the head of Six Mile Creek drop down tussocck slopes to the hut. The 4WD track leading almost to the hut should be visible as you descend but the hut itself cannot be seen until you are well below the crest of the Range. This route would be very tricky in misty conditions.

The track between SH87 and Leaning Lodge crosses a deer farm. In late spring and summer hinds with fawns may be aggressive and this route should be avoided. At the time of writing (Jan 2017) Leaning Lodge is apparently unavailable for overnight accommodation, probably because of site stability issues. We stopped for lunch there in November 2016 however and the hut seemed perfect OK.

Check the DOC website for more information on this area.

"Botany hut", cosy and basic accommodation for two (if desperate)! On road below Leaning Lodge, Rock and Pillar Range, 2016.

Leaning Lodge, Rock and Pillar Range 2016. OT&MC.

Leaning Lodge, Rock and Pillar Range, 2016. OT&MC.

Big hut, Rock and Pillar Range 2016.

Big hut, Rock and Pillar Range. Hut available for public use and maintained by the Rock and Pillar Trust.