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  • Ashburton Lakes
  • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

    Top Spots in and near Ashburton Lakes

    • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

      Hike to the Summit of Mt. Guy

      6.2 mi / 2139.1 ft gain
      Park at the Lake Clearwater trailhead where you are immediately greeted by some of the best alpine views in New Zealand. The hiking track follows the lake shore around the west end before breaking off to the right and ascending Mt Guy in typical New Zealand fashion, without switchbacks. After a l...
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    • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

      Mountain Bike to Boundary Creek Hut

      The track to Boundary Creek Hut follows an old 4WD track for about 9 km () with minimal height gain on the way in. Not long into the ride, you will pass another 4WD track with marker poles – this heads to the Garden of Eden (not the glacier one), so keep on the main track.About 2 km (1.2 miles) f...
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    • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

      Hike to the Summit of Mt Sunday

      4.0
      2.2 mi / 328.1 ft gain
      From the car park follow an old road track / stream bed until it narrows into a scenic walking track. Cross the swing bridge and ascend the south side of the mountain to its picturesque summit. Alpine views abound in all directions. It's easy to see why it was selected as a LOTR set location.This...
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    • Staveley, New Zealand

      Hike the Mount Somers Track Circuit

      5.0
      16.2 mi
      The Mount Somers circuit is a tough 26km adventure, but it rewards you with constantly changing but beautiful scenery. From the start at the Sharplin Falls carpark, the trail immediately climbs upward through lush forest. As soon you reach a highpoint, you descend again to cross the river (via a ...
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    • Lake Coleridge, New Zealand

      Hike Peak Hill

      5.0
      4 mi / 2066.9 ft gain
      Rising about 600 meters from the Canterbury Plains, Peak Hill offers everything New Zealand is famous for: a steep climb to get your heart pumping, views of a gorgeous lake (Coleridge), ever-changing weather, views of the Alps, and views of wide, braided rivers. It is well worth sticking with the...
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    • Windwhistle, New Zealand

      Hike the Rakaia Gorge Walkway

      5.0
      6.5 mi / 328.1 ft gain
      This 150 km long Rakaia River starts in the Southern Alps and continues east to be an awesome feature of the Canterbury Plains. The track isn't too long - a great day trip. You'll start where the river opens up and begins to braid, and hike to the gorge, where it narrows. Getting There: The trail...
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    • Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

      Hike the Mount John Walkway

      From the lakefront, walk left until you reach the trailhead. It takes around 1-1.5 hours to walk it at an average pace. The track is on privately owned land, so expect for sheep to be nearby at all times.You can mountain bike the trail if you wish to. The trail varies from long, drawn out section...
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    • Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

      Visit Mt. John Observatory

      This is a 1032m peak with amazing scenery is surrounded by the beautiful Lake Tekapo. Keep in mind that it gets very windy the higher you go. There is an entry fee for vehicles and tours of the observatory are available. 
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    • Springfield, New Zealand

      Hike the Trig M Trail

      4.0
      2.1 mi / 1509.2 ft gain
      The hiking trail first ascends a hillside to about 1,500 meters. It then follows the crest of a ridge in a southwest direction until you reach the "trig", a marker used in geographical survey. The maintained track ends here but hikers wanting more can continue traveling cross country to Rabbit Hi...
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    • Springfield, New Zealand

      Hike Foggy Peak and Castle Hill Peak

      5.0
      8.1 mi / 3280.8 ft gain
      Park in the gravel roadside parking area at the highpoint of Porters Pass. Follow the faint use path up the lower scree slopes of Foggy Peak northward towards the summit. Upon reaching the summit of Foggy Peak the alpine traverse to Castle Hill Peak becomes obvious. The hike between the two peaks...
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    • Springfield, New Zealand

      Hike to Foggy Peak Summit

      5.0
      2 mi / 3280.8 ft gain
      The Foggy Peak trail is an unmarked path leading from the carpark at the top of Porters Pass to the summit of Foggy Peak. The clouds can get very low here so be sure to bring a GPS or be knowledgeable in the mountains. From the carpark just duck under the fence and head on up to the top. The way ...
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    • Castle Hill, New Zealand

      Hike and Climb at Castle Hill

      3.5
      2 mi
      Follow the footpath from the car park. You will quickly arrive at Castle Hill, famous for it's incredible array of giant limestone formations. There is no official path so you are free to wander the maze of rocks. Look for arches and even signs of ancient Maori inhabitants. Its fun to climb among...
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    • Castle Hill, New Zealand

      Climb Mt. Cloudsley

      5.0
      8.7 mi / 3937 ft gain
      Park at the Hogsback Trailhead in Castle Hill Village. Follow the Hogsback trail by staying to the right at both upcoming "Y" intersections. Once you reach the bush edge, Long Spur and Mt Cloudsley come into view. Break off from the trail aiming for the toe of Long Spur. Then climb along the cres...
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    • Castle Hill, New Zealand

      Hike Mt. Cheeseman

      9.9 mi / 4265.1 ft gain
      Follow the Hogsback Track until you reach the clearing just after the Waterfall Creek crossing. Hike through the clearing towards the toe of Mt Cheeseman's east ridge.Work your way up the ridge by linking a network of tussock slopes, ledges, scree slopes snow patches and crumbly rock. Eventually ...
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    • Kokatahi, New Zealand

      Explore Hokitika Gorge

      4.0
      From the carpark follow the signs to the gorge. The trail goes through the forest for approximately 10 minutes downhill before reaching the swing bridge which spans the gorge. After the bridge you can continue walking down to another viewing platform and opportunity to go further down, closer t...
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    • Westland National Park, New Zealand

      Camp on Alex Knob

      4.0
      11 mi / 3800 ft gain
      From Highway 6 on the New Zealand South Island's west coast, take the Glacier Access Road for 2km to where the signposted Alex Knob track begins. There will be a obvious parking lot on the right.The trail begins at the parking lot breaks off to the left from the Lake Wombat trail about a half-mil...
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    Guides, Insights and Stories from Ashburton Lakes

    A Park Ranger's Pick: 5 Under-The-Radar Adventures In New Zealand

    A Park Ranger's Pick: 5 Under-The-Radar Adventures In New Zealand

    Crystal Brindle

    The Ultimate Road Trip Through New Zealand

    The Ultimate Road Trip Through New Zealand

    Scott Nichols

    14 Amazing Backpacking Trips in New Zealand

    14 Amazing Backpacking Trips in New Zealand

    The Outbound Collective

    A Beginner's Guide to Packrafting

    A Beginner's Guide to Packrafting

    Rachel Bertsch

    Is Your Surfing Habit Getting You into Trouble with Your Significant Other?

    Is Your Surfing Habit Getting You into Trouble with Your Significant Other?

    Affuera Vida