Pros & cons
PROS
- Simple one‑way connection between the park’s two main lake car parks
- Easy add‑on or exit option for larger routes like the Lake Rotoiti Circuit
CONS
- Informal name on maps; signage follows the Brunner Peninsula Track
- Summer insects can be intense, especially wasps and sandflies
Park at either end: West Bay car park or Kerr Bay car park near St Arnaud; the track runs lakeside between them.
Alpine chills possible year‑round; strong sandflies and wasps Dec–Apr; pack out all rubbish; secure vehicles; drone use requires a permit.
Overview
There isn’t a single official track called “West Bay Walk,” but many visitors use the name for the easy shoreline segment of the Brunner Peninsula Track that connects the two main Lake Rotoiti access points: West Bay and Kerr Bay. It’s mainly flat, well‑trodden lakeside walking used by casual walkers and trail runners. Expect beechy forest shade and constant glimpses of Lake Rotoiti.
Distance and time
Plan on about 2.4 miles one way (roughly 1 hour) between the West Bay and Kerr Bay car parks. Most people do it as an out‑and‑back for 4.8 miles total, or walk one way and shuttle/ride back.
What you’ll see
This is a gentle sampler of Nelson Lakes—quiet lakeshore, beech forest pockets, and a friendly, close‑to‑the‑village vibe. Birdlife is a perk: listen for Bellbirds and Tui, and keep an eye out for New Zealand Robins and Fantails flitting through the understory in similar nearby forest.
How to hike it
Start from either car park and follow the lakeside path around the Brunner Peninsula. Wayfinding is straightforward; on the ground you’ll be following the Brunner Peninsula Track. If you want more, this link folds neatly into bigger days: the Lake Rotoiti Circuit loops the whole lake, while the nearby Moraine Walk adds classic glacial features (moraine ridges and kettle ponds), and Black Hill gives a short climb to a viewpoint.
Best time to hike
It’s feasible year‑round, but this is alpine country—freezing conditions can hit any month. Mornings and late‑day are especially pleasant for calm water and softer light. Summer brings sandflies and a well‑known surge of wasps (particularly December–April), so cover up and carry strong repellent.
Tips and essentials
Pack warm, waterproof layers even in summer; weather flips fast. There are no rubbish facilities—carry everything out. Leave no valuables in vehicles at trailheads. All drone use on conservation land requires a permit.
Wildlife on this trail
Near West Bay Walk
All places →All trails →
Angelus HutBeloved alpine hut beside Lake AngelusLodging · Restroom
Angelus Hut CampsiteAlpine tents by Lake Angelus with hut amenities next doorRestroom · Campground
Blue Lake HutBackcountry hut steps from sacred, crystal-clear Blue LakeLodging · Restroom
Lake AngelusAlpine lake with a hut and big-sky ridge approachCampground · Restroom
Blue Lake/Rotomairewhenua TrackSacred, crystal-clear lake reached by a demanding multi-day tramp.Challenging · 5 mi · 3.5 hr
Angelus CircuitAlpine ridge-and-lake loop to a bucket-list hut at Lake AngelusChallenging · 13.9 mi · 12 hr
Travers Saddle TrackClassic alpine pass day on the Travers–Sabine Circuit; steep, seriousChallenging · 0 mi · 8 hr
Mount Robert CircuitRidgeline loop with huge Lake Rotoiti views and steady climbs.Moderate · 5.6 mi · 3.5 hr
