Lake Kaniere Walkway

Walk or mountain bike along the western shores of Lake Kaniere through lush lakeside forest, passing many picturesque bays and numerous forest streams.

Starting (or ending) at the road end just past Sunny Bight picnic area, the Lake Kaniere Walkway is a four hour tramp around the western shore of Lake Kaniere. The walkway emerges at the southern end of the lake on the Dorothy Falls Road. 

Highlights of the walk include many picturesque bays, numerous forest streams and lush lakeside forest. A lookout point over the lake is offered part way up Mt Upright/Te Taumata o Uekanaku. 

There are numerous places to take a dip. Or when you have finished walking or riding Hans Bay is a popular local swimming spot.

Mountain biking

The track is a mixture of intermediate and advanced riding with a short section of expert, grade 5 track near the Dorothy Falls end. 

Getting there

From Hokitika head east 19 km along Lake Kaniere Road, this road meets the lake at 'The Landing'. The road forks at this point, the right road heads to 'Sunny Bight' and the other is Dorothy Falls Road which takes you around the east side of the lake past Hans Bay.

Know before you go

The walk is suitable for people of average fitness and tramping boots are required.

For track conditions, maps, weather forecasts and more information on the area contact the Hokitika DOC office.

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process (external site) on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.

Source: Department of Conservation