Lake Tekapo Walkway

Track category

Walking track

Description

Domain Walk

Time: 1 hr

Main Road Bridge - Skating Rink Route

This easy walk starts near the river side end of the Alpine Inn, and follows a poled route close to the gravel road and lake shore. Information panels highlight some of the history along the walk. Past the hydro outlet the walkway continues towards the campground and skating rink.

Cowans Hill Track

Time: up to 1 hr

Main Road Bridge - Cowan's Hill Carpark

From the east end of the Main Road Bridge the track follows the terrace edge of the Tekapo River towards the plantation behind the township. It climbs slightly before crossing the Refuse Tip Road and entering the forest. A poled track continues through the trees then out into open country behind. This track follows the 4WD track to a high point before descending to cross a firebreak out on the open tussock grasslands of the Lake Tekapo Scientific Reserve. Crossing a stile near this point it is an easy walk to the Cowan's Hill carpark, where you may continue the Pines Beach Walk. This section has wonderful views of Lake Tekapo, Motuariki Island and the surrounding mountains. The reserve also gives an appreciation of the glacial features and the tarns and wetlands of this mainly dry area.

Pines Beach Walk

Time: up to 1 hr Cowan's Hill

The Church of the Good Shepherd

This is an easy walk from Cowan's Hill lookout carpark via Pines Beach to the Church of the Good Shepherd. The walkway begins at a stile opposite the junction of the carpark road with SH 8, and descends through partly forested terrain, crossing Lilybank Road to meet the lake shore. Here you can choose to turn left and go directly to the Church of the Good Shepherd or turn right to visit Pines Beach, 20 minutes away. The shallow waters of the bay often provide a haven for black swan, scaup, pied stilt and sometimes even the rare crested grebe and black stilt. The peninsula where the Tekapo Station homestead stood is also visible.

Mt John Summit (direct route)

Time: 2 hr 30 min to 3 hr return

Skating Rink - Mt John

Near the skating rink the track climbs steadily up through larch forest to open tussock grasslands. From an observation point above the larches a loop track continues around the mountain, below the observatory, where information panels show profiles of mountain views to the head of the lake. Himalayan chukor, introduced to New Zealand as a game bird, are often seen on the higher parts of the track, where they prefer the drier, rocky faces of Mount John. Look out for long and short tussock skinks and possibly geckos, although as they are nocturnal, geckos prefer refuge in rocks and tussock during the day.

Mt John Summit via Lake Shore

Time: 3 hr to 3 hr 30 min

Skating Rink, Lake Shore - Mt John

From the skating rink the route follows a 4WD track parallel to the lake shore, crossing a stile at a locked gate before joining the walkway track across the lower slopes of Mt John. Here grazing and rabbits have reduced native vegetation and hieracium species have invaded to a large extent. The track stays at about 50 metres above the lake until it climbs steeply up onto the north shoulder of Mt John. Here the poled track zig zags up to the ridge then follows the fenceline south to the loop track around the summit.

Lake George Scott Loop

Time: 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr return

Main Road Bridge - Lake George Scott

Starting near the Fire Station the poled route climbs steeply to the top of the high river terrace before descending through larch forest to the lower terrace. Near a seat, the track cuts back through open grasslands toward Lake George Scott. On the return route the track climbs back through the pine forest to the boundary fence. Ten minutes from this point an observation 'lookout' provides views of the hydro canal and the Tekapo River to the south. The walkway then follows the fenceline back to the main track on the river terrace giving impressive views of Lake Tekapo Village and the mountain back drop.

Plan and prepare

Take a warm jersey or jacket as the weather can change quickly in the mountains and even on sunny days the wind can be cold. Ultraviolet rays can be very intense in the MacKenzie Basin, so a sun hat and 15+ sunblock are essential on fine days.

back to top