Lakes Hayes Walkway

To really get a sense of the lake as a whole, a wonderful option is to circumnavigate it. The DOC track is a well maintained, undulating dirt track that frames the lake. Start at the campground, checking out the schist beach with it’s rabble of mallard and blue ducks who hang out with some very regal looking swans. The track winds around the willow-clad campground and gently onto the hillside where you become the spectacle of some very precariously perched high country sheep. There has been some extensive planting of kowhai trees on this side of the lake, which in several years will colour the lake edge a glorious bright yellow, a few months each year. The other plus of this great native planting is that it will attract the tui back to this 7.8km walk.

There are several look out points where walkers can rest and inhale deeply whilst taking in the glory of lake and mountain views. The Southern end of the lake is a wetland so the walk proceeds along a reasonably new boardwalk (with meshing to help prevent slipping when it’s wet and icy) taking you back onto the track, which wends along between the houses and the lakefront back to the campground.