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Lake Wanaka offers new walking tracks for summer

Monday 1 November 2010, 11:09AM

By Lake Wanaka Tourism

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A hiker taking in the spectacular view over Lake Wanaka
A hiker taking in the spectacular view over Lake Wanaka Credit: Lake Wanaka Tourism

WANAKA

Lake Wanaka’s position as one of New Zealand’s most popular walking and hiking destinations has been further enhanced with the construction of a number of new tracks. Designed to highlight the region’s spectacular scenery to walkers of all ages and abilities, the tracks offer a mix of scenic day and overnight excursions. 

The recent completion of three river and lakeside tracks; the Glendhu Bay Track, Hawea River Track and Clutha River Track serve to link the outlying communities of Lake Hawea and Luggate offering stunning scenery and a variety of walks for locals and visitors with all levels of fitness.  

Lake Wanaka now boasts over 750kms of recreational tracks and routes from gentle lakeside strolls to high alpine treks. Sections of the new network are incorporated in Te Araroa, a national walking and tramping trail from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south. 

“Lake Wanaka is a walkers’ paradise offering some of the most unforgettable hiking in New Zealand, with breath taking scenery and great variety, from short local walks along the rivers to multi-day guided adventures in Mt Aspiring National Park,” said Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore. 

A keen walker in Wanaka can do a number of day walks from the town centre such as the gentle Outlet Track which winds along the Clutha River, the Mt Iron Walk with 360 degree views of the Clutha basin or the Waterfall Creek Track along the lake’s western shores. The walks are all spectacular in autumn with the brilliant reds and golds of the poplar trees.  

More adventurous hikers are well catered for with a number of good day and overnight walks in the Mount Aspiring National Park. A scenic drive up the peaceful Matukituki Valley or to Makarora at the head of Lake Wanaka provides access to the start points for many hikes. From Makarora the Wilkin-Young three day (58km) circuit travels through stunning valleys before heading over the 1490-metre Gillespie Pass with impressive views. 

Last summer the Motatapu Track was opened, a challenging 34-kilometre, three- to four-day alpine tramp for experienced parties. It follows much of an historic route that linked Wanaka and Arrowtown areas during the gold mining era.  

The Lake Wanaka region has a proactive community of hikers and community organizations, such as the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust and the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group who work alongside the Department of Conservation and Queenstown Lakes District Council to develop the trails in the region. 

"The 45kms of new tracks are a real conservation gain for the region. The range of recreational opportunities including walkers, runners, mountain bikers, events and fishermen will all make good use of the tracks. I hope many will take the opportunity to get out and enjoy them,” said Paul Hellebrekers, DOC Wanaka.  

Funding of the tracks has also come from various community trusts such as the Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, NZTA, and the Wanaka Walkers Trust.  

For further information, visit www.lakewanaka.co.nz/new-zealand/wanaka-walking-and-hiking/