Lake Rotoiti Circuit

The Lake Rotoiti Circuit is a full loop of about 23.4 km (14.5 mi), starting and finishing at Kerr Bay. It follows Lakehead Track along the eastern shore, crosses the Travers River by ford, returns up the western shore on Lakeside Track, then uses the Mount Robert Road and walking tracks by West Bay to Kerr Bay. Allow 7–10 hours; 8.5 hours is a sensible all-day plan for this advanced tramping track. The mapped 23 km version is the low-water ford route, and includes the walk back from Mount Robert Road.

The ford opposite Lakehead Hut is the key decision. Cross there only when the river is low. If it is too high, continue up the Travers Valley to the swingbridge; that longer alternative makes the circuit about 31 km, roughly 8 km more than the line mapped here. The track has rough and muddy stretches, shingle fans and another wide unbridged stream. Freezing alpine weather can occur year-round; sandflies are troublesome in summer and wasps are common from December through April. Dogs are not allowed.

From Kerr Bay the path heads south beside the lake through beech forest, with occasional openings to the water. The jetty at Kerr Bay gives a broad view along the lake toward Mount Robert and the Travers Valley. Lakehead Hut is about three hours from the start. A rare stand of rimu appears about two-thirds of the way along this eastern shore.

When the river is low, the ford links Lakehead Hut with Coldwater Hut in about 50 minutes. Both huts sit on the circuit and make a two-day version possible: Lakehead has 26 bunks that require booking, while Coldwater has 12 first-come bunks. Water at both huts is untreated and should be boiled before drinking.

Coldwater Hut sits at the lake edge. Lakeside Track follows the western shore, sometimes close to the water and sometimes above it through beech, mānuka and kānuka. About an hour from the hut, a short side track reaches 40 m Whisky Falls, tucked among moss and ferns. The main route then leaves the lake and climbs toward Mount Robert Road; the climb includes shingle and stream crossings.

From the road, follow the mapped road and walking-track return past West Bay to Kerr Bay, about another hour. This closing leg is part of the loop distance; the shorter 19 km route trace that ends at the road does not include it. The route finishes back at the same bay where you began.

The Travers Glacier occupied this valley roughly 20,000–12,000 years ago, carving the basin Lake Rotoiti now fills. Rivers and streams continue to carry sediment into the lake. Beech forest, mosses and ferns dominate much of the circuit; red rātā flowers add color in summer. Tūī and bellbirds are common voices, with fantails, tomtits, bush robins and sometimes kākā in the forest.