Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail
The Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail circles the lake in 8 km of gravel and boardwalk, with a narrow, steep stretch along the Slope Hill side.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Partly closed. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the trail as partially open, with the bridge at the northern end still closed, under a network-wide warning of mud, flooding, scour and washouts after heavy rain. That is newer than the council's storm update of 28 August 2026, which listed the whole loop as closed. The council's roading update listed the Lake Hayes access road to the rowing club as inaccessible because of flood damage when read on 16 September 2026; on 18 September 2026 that entry is no longer on the page, which does not say the road has reopened. No reopening date is published. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Trails Trust, Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail page and alert bar (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours walking, about 1 hour by bike
- Distance
- 8 km loop
- Track type
- Loop
- Grade
- Grade 3, intermediate
- Surface
- Smooth gravel, narrow in places, with long boardwalks at the southern end
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- North Lake Hayes picnic area (Lake Hayes Reserve)
- Bus
- Route 2 at Mora Wines, towards Arrowtown, about 550 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- At the Wakatipu Rowing Club and the Lake Hayes Reserve
- Children
- Watch children closely on the western side, where steep drops sit beside the track
- Cost
- Free
In short: An 8 km loop around Lake Hayes, about 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown: 2 to 3 hours on foot or about an hour by bike. It is Grade 3 (intermediate) on the cycle trail scale, with short steep climbs and drop-offs on the western side. Start at the north picnic area, the Pavilion or Rutherford Road.
What the track is like
Mountain reflections on the lake, crested grebes, the southern boardwalks, historic cottages, the Wakatipu Rowing Club and Bendemeer Bay. The Queenstown Marathon runs a lap of the lake, so expect plenty of runners on the trail.
Most people start at the North Lake Hayes picnic area, which has the most parking, but the loop can be joined at the Lake Hayes Pavilion on SH6, Bendemeer Bay, Arrowtown Road or Rutherford Road off Speargrass Flat Road. The Trust describes it anticlockwise from Rutherford Road, where a sealed section shared with the road has a very steep pinch near the lake.
On the western side the trail climbs to a bench across the flank of Slope Hill. This is the narrowest and most exposed part: the track is under a metre wide in places with steep drops to the lake, and both approaches to it are steep. It then drops to the southern end, where long, narrow boardwalks and a stretch through willows lead to the Pavilion.
The eastern side passes the Pavilion, the Wakatipu Rowing Club (public toilets) and Bendemeer Bay to the Lake Hayes Reserve, which has more toilets and picnic space. Expect short steep climbs all the way round, narrow bridges, and walkers, dog walkers and riders sharing the track; DOC lists the Lake Hayes Walkway as dogs on a leash only.
On 18 September 2026 the bridge at the northern end is closed, so a full lap may not be possible. Until the Trust lifts its alert, plan an out-and-back from the Pavilion or Rutherford Road rather than a full lap. The loop links to the Countryside Trail at Rutherford Road and to the Twin Rivers Trail through the Lake Hayes Estate link.
How to get to the start
The Trust puts Lake Hayes about 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown and 5 minutes from Arrowtown. The North Lake Hayes picnic area has the largest car park; there is also parking at the Lake Hayes Pavilion and show grounds on SH6, at Bendemeer Bay, and at Rutherford Road off Speargrass Flat Road. The council's roading update listed the Lake Hayes access road to the rowing club as inaccessible because of flood damage when read on 16 September 2026; on 18 September 2026 the entry is gone, with no reopening notice, so check on the day before planning to park there.
Orbus Route 2 stops at Mora Wines, about 550 m in a straight line from the northern picnic area, and at Amisfield Winery, about 570 m from the Pavilion; fares are $2.50 with a Bee Card. Every urban Orbus bus has a bike rack that carries bikes free, subject to space, taking wheels larger than 16 inches and e-bikes up to 25 kg (ORC). By bike, the loop is reached from the Countryside Trail at Rutherford Road or the Twin Rivers Trail through Lake Hayes Estate.
- Start: North Lake Hayes picnic area (Lake Hayes Reserve) (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Large car park at the northern picnic area; also parking at the Lake Hayes Pavilion on SH6, Bendemeer Bay and Rutherford Road
- From Queenstown: About 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- By bus: Orbus Route 2 stops at Mora Wines, about 550 m from the northern picnic area, and at Amisfield Winery, about 570 m from the Lake Hayes Pavilion, at $2.50 with a Bee Card. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Partly closed on 18 September 2026. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the trail as partially open, with the bridge at the northern end still closed, under a network-wide warning of mud, flooding, scour and washouts after heavy rain. That is newer than the council's storm update of 28 August 2026, which listed the whole loop as closed. The council's roading update listed the Lake Hayes access road to the rowing club as inaccessible because of flood damage when read on 16 September 2026; on 18 September 2026 that entry is no longer on the page, which does not say the road has reopened. No reopening date is published. Check Queenstown Trails Trust, Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail page and alert bar (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | The Trust gives September to November temperatures of 8 to 17°C and rates spring among the best times on the trails. The southern side floods occasionally; if water is over the track, the Trust says to avoid that section. |
| Summer (December to February) | December to March runs from the mid-teens to the late 20s by the Trust's figures. Lake Hayes is warmer than the district's other lakes and a popular summer swim; check LAWA's water quality page first, for you and your dog. |
| Autumn (March to May) | April and May run 8 to 16°C. In any season the Trust picks out sunrise and sunset for the mountain reflections on the lake. |
| Winter (June to August) | June to August runs from -2 to 10°C and the Trust warns it gets very cold, so carry warm and waterproof layers. Its winter tip is an afternoon walk, when the sun reaches the eastern side of the lake; the western side over Slope Hill gets the morning sun. |
What to know before you go
- Check the Queenstown Trails Trust alert bar before you go: on 18 September 2026 the bridge at the northern end is closed and the whole network carries a heavy-rain warning for mud, flooding, scour and washouts.
- The western side above the lake is narrow, under a metre wide in places, with steep drops beside the track. Hold children close and give riders room.
- The southern section floods occasionally. If water is over the track, avoid that section as the Trust advises, and follow any flood or maintenance signs.
- The southern boardwalks are long and narrow; riders should slow right down or walk their bikes across.
- In winter the Trust warns it gets very cold, so carry warm and waterproof layers. In summer take water, sunscreen and a hat.
- Swimmers should check LAWA's water quality page for Lake Hayes first, for people and dogs.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does the Lake Hayes loop take?
The Trust gives 2 to 3 hours to walk the 8 km loop and about an hour by bike. DOC's March 2025 Queenstown brochure gives the same 2 to 3 hours.
Is the Lake Hayes Trail open right now?
Partly. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists it as partially open with the bridge at the northern end closed, so a full lap may not be possible. The council had listed the whole loop as closed on 28 August 2026; the Trust's listing is the newer one. Check the Trust's alert bar on the day.
Is the Lake Hayes walk hard?
It is Grade 3 (intermediate) for bikes. On foot the surface is smooth gravel, but there are short steep climbs, a very steep pinch on the Rutherford Road section and a narrow western stretch with steep drops to the lake.
Where do I park for the Lake Hayes walk?
The North Lake Hayes picnic area has the most parking. There is also parking at the Lake Hayes Pavilion on SH6, at Bendemeer Bay and at Rutherford Road off Speargrass Flat Road.
Can I get to Lake Hayes by bus?
Yes. Orbus Route 2 stops at Mora Wines, about 550 m from the northern picnic area, and at Amisfield Winery, about 570 m from the Pavilion. Fares are $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Are dogs allowed on the Lake Hayes Trail?
Yes, on a lead: DOC lists the Lake Hayes Walkway as dogs on a leash only, and the track is shared with walkers and riders.
Are there toilets at Lake Hayes?
Yes, at the Wakatipu Rowing Club and at the Lake Hayes Reserve. The council's roading update listed the access road to the rowing club as inaccessible after flood damage when read on 16 September 2026; on 18 September 2026 the entry is gone, with no reopening notice.
Can you swim in Lake Hayes?
It is a popular summer swim because it is warmer than the district's other lakes. Check LAWA's water quality page before swimming, for you and your dog.
Nearby walks
- Countryside Trail
12.8 km one way · 2.5 to 4 hours walking, 1.5 to 3 hours by bike, one way · Grade 3, intermediate
- Twin Rivers Trail
18.5 km one way · 4 to 5 hours walking, 2 to 3 hours by bike, one way · Grade 3, intermediate
- Arrowtown Millennium Walk
4 km loop · 1 hour (loop) · Grade 2, easy
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Related guides
- The Queenstown Trail, section by section
Ten sections, over 150 km, with the Trails Trust's distances, grades and times, and the $2.50 bus back from each end.
- Queenstown bus routes & fares
All six Orbus routes, the $2.50 airport bus, Bee Card vs cash fares and the ferry.
- Queenstown safety: the numbers, the hills, the roads and the lake
111 and 105, the Land Safety Code, chains, the 10-degree lake, and why ACC is not travel insurance.
Sources: Queenstown Trails Trust, Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, trail alerts (site-wide alert bar) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Whakatipu basin day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Top 5 Trails for Winter (7 July 2021) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, FAQs (dogs, seasons, coverage) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, understanding trail grades (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, what you can take on the bus (bike racks) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, news and stories list (checked for closure notices) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Lakes District Council, Latest update on Queenstown Lakes weather event (28 August 2026, trail closures and cautions) (opens in a new tab) and Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (28 August 2026, updated since) (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.