Lake Rotoiti Circuit

The Lake Rotoiti Circuit is 26.88 km and is commonly done over 2 days, although strong walkers can complete it as a long day hike. A typical split is about 3 hours from Kerr Bay in St Arnaud to Lakehead Hut on the eastern shore, then about 3 hours 30 minutes back via Coldwater Hut, the Lakeside Track, and Mount Robert Road.

The Lake Rotoiti Circuit starts at Kerr Bay on the edge of Lake Rotoiti in St Arnaud, within Nelson Lakes National Park. From there, the route follows the Lakehead Track along the eastern shore to the head of the lake, then returns on the western side via Coldwater Hut, the Lakeside Track, and Mount Robert Road.

Yes. Water taxis operate on Lake Rotoiti and can be used to walk only half of the Lake Rotoiti Circuit. The usual option is to take a boat from St Arnaud to either Lakehead Hut or Coldwater Hut, then walk back to Kerr Bay, which turns the full 26.88 km circuit into a shorter one-way outing.

Camping is possible on the Lake Rotoiti Circuit, with space available outside both Lakehead Hut and Coldwater Hut. In Nelson Lakes National Park, camping is allowed within 200 meters of huts year-round, but camping is not permitted within 200 meters of a formed road or within 200 meters of Lake Rotoiti itself, so lakeshore camping near the road end is restricted.

Yes. The two main overnight options on the Lake Rotoiti Circuit are Lakehead Hut at the head of Lake Rotoiti and Coldwater Hut on the western shore. Lakehead Hut sits at about 630 m in the Travers River valley, and both huts are standard backcountry huts that make the circuit a straightforward 2-day trip.

The Lake Rotoiti Circuit is generally considered medium difficulty. The full route covers 26.88 km with about 344 m of elevation gain, so it is not especially steep, but the distance makes it better suited to hikers comfortable with a full-day walk or an easy overnight tramp.