New Zealand’s hiking scene is rare in that it has lots of relatively easy hikes which give you incredible views. There’s no need to hike all the way up a mountain, or for several days, to get to those scenes which take your breath away. The Lake Tekapo Peninsula Walkway is one of those hikes: a short distance over gentle terrain with unreal scenery throughout.
Where is the Lake Tekapo Peninsula Walkway?
This hike is about a quarter of the way up the western side of Lake Tekapo. It’s an eight-minute drive from Lake Tekapo town on the south side of the lake.
As a wider reference, Lake Tekapo is in the middle of New Zealand’s South Island, about three hours’ drive from Christchurch.
What is the route?
The Lake Tekapo Peninsula Walkway is a three-and-a-half-mile loop. It starts and finishes at Tekapo Peninsula Walkway Parking on the western side of the lake.
You’ll walk past a pine forest, through fields strewn with wildflowers, and on grassy paths along cliffs. Throughout the hike you have spectacular views of the electric-blue Lake Tekapo and the mountains in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
How long does the hike take?
The Lake Tekapo Peninsula Walkway takes about an hour and a half. However, I would suggest giving yourself two hours as you’ll want to stop every minute to take in the spectacular scenery!
Is the walk busy?
This is the icing on the cake. We only saw four other people on the entire walk. You’ve essentially got the whole route to yourself. You can stand for as long as you like to admire the lake. You can take as many photos as you like without getting in anyone’s way.
In my opinion, this is a perfect hike – accessible, untaxing and absolutely breathtaking.
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