On-leadModerate
Lake Hood Trail
Ashburton · Canterbury · Out & Back
↑ 31 m gain↓ 31 m descenthigh 91 msteepest 1 %
DISTANCE16.4 km
ASCENT31 m
DURATION3.5–4 hr
STEEPEST1 %
ROUTEOut & Back
RATING · HIKERS 3.8 · 56
DOG EFFORT2.7 /5 paws
PARKING50 m away
Nearest emergency vetChristchurch After Hours Veterinary Centre, Christchurch
03 366 1052
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
About Lake Hood Trail
Lake Hood Trail covers 16.4 km, near Ashburton in Canterbury, walked as an out-and-back.
Graded moderate, it climbs about 31 m overall, pitching up to 1 % at its steepest, and takes about 3.5–4 hr to walk.
The track takes in river frontage and big views. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 3.8 / 5 across 56 reviews.