Parking
Access and parking are available at the North Lake Hayes picnic area, Lake Hayes Pavilion and showgrounds on SH6, Bendemeer Bay, Arrowtown Road, and Rutherford Road off Speargrass Flat Road.
Overview
About Lake Hayes Walkway
A scenic 8 km (about 5.0 mi) loop around Waiwhakaata / Lake Hayes, with mountain reflections, wetland boardwalk, and changing views close to Arrowtown and Queenstown. Allow about 2–3 hours on foot. The track is mostly smooth gravel with several short, steep sections.
Why go
- Boardwalk and wetland habitat with frequent birdlife viewing.
- Calm-day reflections, mountain views, and autumn color close to Arrowtown and Queenstown.
Heads up
- Narrow western sections have steep drops beside the lake.
- The southern edge can flood or be affected by maintenance after wet weather.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Queenstown-Lakes District map
Full mapElevation328–414 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Queenstown-Lakes District alert
- ClosureSkippers Bridge closed to all trafficSkippers Bridge is closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians; do not cross.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide
Your drive to Lake Hayes Walkway, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Queenstown-Lakes District audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Lake Hayes: Mirrored Views and a Lakeside LoopListen
“The body of water you're near is Lake Hayes, a real favourite with locals for walking and running. It's best known for its easy, six-and-a-half-kilometre loop track that follows the shoreline.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Arrowtown's Autumn Colours
- Hampshire Holiday Park: A Convenient Arrowtown Base
- Exploring Historic Arrowtown and the Gold Rush
- Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and Trailheads
- 164 audio storiesacross Queenstown-Lakes District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Kākā, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 37 trails, 111 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Lake Hayes Walkway
Route & What You’ll SeeStarting at the Rutherford Road entrance beside the North Lake Hayes picnic area, follow the…
Starting at the Rutherford Road entrance beside the North Lake Hayes picnic area, follow the loop anticlockwise. The trail climbs gradually above the lake along the flanks of Slope Hill, then drops to the southern boardwalk and willow-lined shore. It continues past the Lake Hayes Pavilion and Wakatipu Rowing Club, around Bendemeer Bay, and to the Lake Hayes Reserve picnic area. The western side is narrow in places with steep drops beside the lake; a short section at the north-eastern end is shared with vehicles.
Shared Use & FacilitiesWalkers and bikers share the track.
Walkers and bikers share the track. It is a Grade 3 (intermediate) mountain-bike route, so mountain or gravel bikes are more suitable than road bikes. Slow down or dismount on the southern boardwalk and give way to walkers. Toilets are available near the rowing club and at the Lake Hayes Reserve picnic area.
Practical TipsAutumn brings golden poplars, calm days, and strong reflections; summer is popular for swimming.
- Autumn brings golden poplars, calm days, and strong reflections; summer is popular for swimming.
- Carry water, sun protection, and warm waterproof layers in winter.
- Dogs are allowed on leash only; check current water-quality advice before swimming.
- The southern side can occasionally flood or be under maintenance; follow signs and avoid water over the track.
- The loop has several access points, including North Lake Hayes picnic area, Lake Hayes Pavilion and showgrounds on SH6, Bendemeer Bay, Arrowtown Road, and Rutherford Road off Speargrass Flat Road.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Queenstown-Lakes District
189 sightingsKeaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
18 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
195 sightingsKererūMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
48 sightingsWekaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
239 sightingsTūīMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
97 sightingsBellbirdMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Queenstown-Lakes District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
