Nearby Trails
Lake McGregor Circuit
Walk, run, MTB. Dogs prohibited.
E-Bikes but fence to lift over. Cell phone coverage.
Distance: 4.6 km loop
Description: Easy open walking/biking across a mixture of farmland, 4WD track and road. From the highpoint you will be able to see three lakes: Tekapo, Alexandrina, and McGregor.
This trail is in a wildlife refuge and dogs or pets strictly prohibited. Keep an eye out for the rare Australasian crested grebes which breed and inhabit these lakes.
Please Note: This presently is an unmarked track but you can’t get lost. If biking, we suggest you go in an anti-clockwise direction. At certain times of the year the track below the Lake Alexandrina Rd can be underwater and/or fishermen are using the single track. Please be respectful and use the gravel road instead.
Getting there: From the Tekapo township, drive west on SH8 to Godley Peaks Rd just past Peppers Bluewater Resort. Turn right onto Godley Peaks Rd, travel approximately 6.5 km and cross the road bridge until you come to a cattle stop. Park on the left just past the cattle stop and you will see a blue painted waratah and place to cross the fence. Head west to the next blue waratah and cross the fence. Past here there are no markers but you will do a short climb on a sheep track to above the lake. Continue around until you meet a 4WD track which takes you down past the huts. Cross a foot bridge at the outlet then make your way either beside the stream or use the road back to the start. Or, combine with the Lake Alexandrina Trail for a big day out.
Lagoon/Frog Rock Trail
Walk, run or MTB. Dogs prohibited
Distances:
Lagoon Circuit – 8.5 km
Frog Rock Circuit – 3 km
Description: Lagoon Trail – an 8.5 km circuit starting from the south east corner of the Regional Park, this is an open farmland trail in iconic high country terrain. Panoramic views in every direction, the trail is half metal single track, quarter grass and quarter hard packed widened sheep tracks. A few rocks to ride over makes the valley track interesting but safe and the beautiful lagoon at the far end is a great destination for a picnic.
Frog Rock – Named after the large erratic rock left from the glacier, this is an ideal trail for families. At the picnic table you can enjoy amazing views of the Southern Alps and Mt Edward.
The circuit can be undertaken in either direction but take note of the wind direction and in a strong nor’ wester, head along the terrace and back up the valley. If no wind, the easiest way is down the valley and back along the terrace.
Getting there: Walking/biking - from the Tekapo township, head east to cross the footbridge and follow the lakeshore trail on Pioneer Drive towards the Regional Park Information Panel. Veer right at this intersection until you come to a small wooden park gate out onto Lilybank Road. Directly opposite is an unmarked uphill dirt track. Follow the park boundary fenceline on your right until you see a stile and e-bike gate with the Lagoon Trail blue sign just over the stile. The trail is marked with blue painted waratahs and smaller directional posts.
Lake Alexandrina
Walk, run, MTB. Dogs prohibited. E-Bikes but fences to lift over. Cell phone coverage.
Distance: 7.7 km one way to the top of the lake. The circuit is approximately 18.5 km.
Description: Predominantly flat, easy walking following a sheep track with magnificent views. Bikeable but single track and quite rocky.
This trail is in a wildlife refuge and dogs or pets strictly prohibited. Keep an eye out for the rare Australasian crested grebes which breed and inhabit these lakes.
Please Note: The solid line on the map shows this track ends at the top of the lake. The dotted lines indicate public access on the Unformed Legal Road (ULR) which circumnavigates the lake, but the trail is unformed and the top end is swamp. The western side consists of 4WD tracks but then nothing is marked. If you attempt the dotted route, you must keep to within 40 metres of the lake at all times on the ULR. Failure to do this means you will be trespassing on private property and seriously jeopardise any efforts by Tekapo Trails to get improved trails in this area.
Getting there: From the Tekapo township, drive west on SH8 to Godley Peaks Rd just past Peppers Bluewater Resort. Turn right onto Godley Peaks Rd, travel approximately 4 km until you come to a farmgate on your left. Enter, closing the gate behind you, travel 2 km on the gravel road until you come to a collection of huts and Lake Alexandrina. Park and walk along the lakeshore.
Link this trail with the Lake McGregor Trail and you will be able to view three gorgeous lakes, Tekapo, Alexandrina and McGregor in one outing.
Lake George Scott Circuit
Walk, run or MTB.
Distances:
Full circuit – 7.7 km
Description: This lesser used road circuit is just as interesting as anywhere in the Mackenzie. You will walk/bike beside the man-made kayak course, fascinating with or without water, past the picturesque Lake George Scott, view the Lake Tekapo A power station which is first of 7 power stations between here and Oamaru, cross the dam and the canals which attract fishermen from far and wide. Do the full circuit (solid line) or explore the kayak course (dotted line) and return back up the gravel road to Andrew Don Drive. The start of this trail is part of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycleway and the Te Araroa Walking Trail.
Getting there: Walk/bike from the Tekapo township, head west onto Aorangi Crescent, straight ahead to Andrew Don Drive until you the road becomes gravel. Continue on the gravel road to the Canoe Course sign. Turn left to explore the kayak course loop or continue ahead to the Genesis gates. Continue through the bike gates along the canal to the bridge then head up the tarseal road to SH8. On your right is an unmarked trail (Simpson Trail) which takes you above SH8 down to D’Archaic Drive past Peppers Resort and back into Tekapo township.