West Otago's newest visitor attraction - offering breathtaking views of the district - will be officially opened early next month.
The Blue Mountain Walk, connecting Whisky Gully and Black Gully, has been in the works for more than five years.
The West Otago Community Board first came up with the idea of establishing an overnight walking route on top of the Blue Mountains about six years ago, but a tourism consultants' report in 2003 recommended the venture not proceed.
Local enthusiasm returned in 2006 after a meeting with the Department of Conservation's Southland branch and an action group was formed aimed at developing a marked route and track.
Working party spokesman Colin Read said a route was mapped after many consultations with Doc and several trips up the mountains.
Because Doc did not have any walking tracks in its 10-year management strategy, Tapanui-West Otago Promotions entered into a formal agreement to manage the establishment and maintenance of the project.
The West Otago Lions Club, deerstalkers, Duke of Edinburgh students from Blue Mountain College and other volunteers helped clear vegetation and number markers.
The track covers 14km and involves a six to eight-hour walk.
The official opening will be at Black Gully on October 5 at 10am.