Lake Hayes Walkway
Located in Arrowtown area in the Otago region
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Introduction
Stroll, walk, run or cycle around a lake surrounded by spectacular mountains.This track is part of The Queenstown Trail (Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails).
8 km loop
Mountain biking
Intermediate: Grade 3Dog access
Image gallery
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Serene views on Lake Hayes Walkway Image: Eiji Kitai | Creative Commons
![A person sits on a small wooden bench looking out across a serene lake. Mountains topped with snow can be seen far in the distance.]( "A person sits on a small wooden bench looking out across a serene lake. Mountains topped with snow can be seen far in the distance.")
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Nice views from the walk Image: Eiji Kitai | Creative Commons
![A person stands on a gravelly track running alongside a flat lake. They're looking out towards a snow capped mountain.]( "A person stands on a gravelly track running alongside a flat lake. They're looking out towards a snow capped mountain.")
Stroll, walk, run or cycle around a lake surrounded by spectacular mountains; also home to a healthy population of Australasian crested grebe.
The track has multiple access points:
- North Lake Hayes picnic area – there is a lot of parking here
- Lake Hayes Pavilion and show grounds on SH6
- Bendemeer Bay
- Arrowtown Road
- Rutherford Road off Speargrass Flat Road.
What to expect
- A well-maintained track with a smooth gravel surface
- steep drops beside the track on the western side of the lake
- good sign-posting and cell phone reception
- walkers (including dog-walkers) and bikers sharing the track
- a short section at the north-eastern end is shared with vehicles
- hot and dry weather in summer, cold temperatures and a chance of ice in winter.
Skills/experience needed
Lake Hayes Walkway is a Grade 3: Intermediate mountain biking track. If you are not comfortable riding a Grade 3 trail, try walking it instead or riding one of the Grade 2 sections of the Queenstown Trail.
Plan and prepare
Check the LAWA web page on water quality for you and your dog if planning to swim in the lake.
Watch children closely, as there are sections with steep drops by the track edge.
If you are riding the track, choose a mountain bike rather than a road bike. On the southern end the trail goes over a boardwalk – please reduce speed or dismount.
Pack water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat (for walkers) or a helmet visor (for bikers) in summer. In winter, carry plenty of warm and waterproof clothing – it gets very cold.
You can combine this trail with other nearby bike trails for a longer ride. It is part of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride. Visit the Queenstown Trail website for more information and trail updates.
The track occasionally floods on the southern side. If there is water over the track, avoid this section. You might also encounter maintenance work on this section of the track. Signage will alert visitors to any flooding or track work.
Contacts
| Whakatipu-wai-Māori/Queenstown Visitor Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +64 3 442 7935 |
| queenstownvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | 50 Stanley Street Queenstown 9300 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |