On-leadHard
Mystery Lake from Potts River Car Park
Ashburton · Canterbury · Out & Back
↑ 568 m gain↓ 567 m descenthigh 1116 msteepest 18 %
DISTANCE19.2 km
ASCENT568 m
DURATION5.5–6.5 hr
STEEPEST18 %
ROUTEOut & Back
RATING · HIKERS 4.2 · 26
DOG EFFORT4.1 /5 paws
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.
Lake swimRiver swim spotsOpen track, carry water for the dogBest in summer; snow and ice at altitude in winter
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 Mystery Lake from Potts River Car Park
Mystery Lake from Potts River Car Park covers 19.2 km, near Ashburton in Canterbury, walked as an out-and-back.
Graded hard, it climbs about 568 m overall, pitching up to 18 % at its steepest, and takes about 5.5–6.5 hr to walk.
The track takes in lakeside stretches, river frontage, and big views. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.2 / 5 across 26 reviews.