Lake Heron Tracks

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Walking Trail Ashburton Lakes
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Walking
10 mins - 3 hrs, easy difficulty
About the trail
Various walks.
one way.
Explore the area around Lake Heron on these tracks - discover kettle holes, and views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Dog friendly
No
Things to know
No Dogs allowed. Harrison Bight Track is open to 4WD vehicles over the summer. Find out about opening dates and access permits.
  • Camping area at the station entrance
  • Lake Hill Track
  • Kettle Hole
  • Lake Heron
  • 'Lake Heron, Canterbury, New Zealand, June 2007'
  • 'Lake Heron'
  • 'Lake Heron, Canterbury, New Zealand, June 2007'
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Kettle Hole Walk

  • Time: 10 min
  • Distance: 360 m 

A short easy walk to a kettle hole - part-time wetlands that were formed when huge blocks of ice broke off the retreating glacier, leaving depressions that sometimes fill with water.

The flowering plants that live in kettle holes are mostly very small, rare, and have special ways of using the changing water levels to their advantage.

Getting there: The track starts on the access road to Lake Heron car park, off Hakatere Heron Road.

Lake Hill Track

  • Time: 45 min
  • Distance: 1.5 km

It's an easy walk up to Lake Hill - a great place to appreciate the lake and surrounding mountains and the effects of past glaciers.

Getting there: Start the track from Lake Heron car park, 1.7 km along the lakeshore, off Hakatere Heron Road.

Harrisons Bight Track

  • Time: 1 hr
  • Distance: 2.5 km

This track is used by 4WD vehicles over summer. It provides access to one of the best fishing areas in mid-Canterbury.

Getting there: Start the track from Lake Heron car park, 1.7 km along the lakeshore, off Hakatere Heron Road.

Double Hut Track

  • Time: 3 hr
  • Distance: 10 km

An old musterers' hut, Double Hut makes a good base for exploring the area, climbing Mount Taylor, or for hunting. The track crosses the Rakaia Valley to the Lake Emily section of Te Araroa.

Getting there: Start the track from Lake Heron car park, 1.7 km along the lakeshore, off Hakatere Heron Road.

Double Hut

  • Category: Basic/bivvies
  • Facilities: 6 bunk beds, heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from the stream
  • Bookings not required - first come, first served

Getting there

These tracks are accessed from Hakatere Heron Road, about 31 km west of Mount Somers. Leave Mount Somers on Ashburton Gorge Road, then turn right into Hakatere Heron Road (23 km).

Four-wheel driving

Harrison Bight Track is open to 4WD vehicles over the summer. Find out about opening dates and access permits.

Source: Department of Conservation 

 

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