Lakes and rivers
Cool water to swim and flat, easy walking. We picked these routes for the lakesides and river flats where a dog can wade in and stretch out.
Queenstown & Arrowtown
Dogs are welcome on every trail on this route: the Queenstown and Arrowtown townships, the lakefront gardens, and Bob's Cove Scenic Reserve.
Wanaka Lakeside
Dogs are welcome on every track on this route: Mount Iron is a DOC scenic reserve, and the lakefront walks sit under Queenstown Lakes District Council's dog bylaw, which covers town, the Outlet and Glendhu Bay.
Rotorua Lakes & Redwoods
Dogs are welcome on every walk on this route, and the Hamurana lakefront reserve is the one spot with room to properly run, so confirm the exercise area against Rotorua Lakes Council bylaw signage before you unclip, as the Springs walk proper restricts dogs.
Taupō & the Great Lake Trail
The Great Lake Trail sections (Headland Loop/W2K and Waihāhā) now welcome dogs and give them room to properly run, but they are shared cycle trails, so keep recall sharp and step aside for mountain bikers.
Hawke's Bay: Coast, River & Te Mata Peak
Dogs are welcome on every trail here: the Hawke's Bay Trails cycleways are shared with bikes, and Te Mata Trust Park is a working sheep farm with pest-control bait stations off the tracks, so keep your dog close and out of the scrub.
Mackenzie & the Aoraki Fringe
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is entirely closed to dogs, do not drive the dog up SH80 to Hooker Valley, Mueller or Kea Point.