Stoked with country lakes
When I moved to Canterbury in March for my job, I was incredibly worried I would have to fly home to Arrowtown to get my fix of hills, lakes and snow.
Us southern folk can be ignorant and I once scoffed at the thought of the Canterbury Plains and decided ‘‘I would never live in Christchurch, ever’’. But here I am living in central Christchurch pining for my weekly climb.
It turns out this region has some pretty giant hills with gorgeous views of the great lakes below them. Knowing this helps me sleep at night and plan weekend adventures in a new outdoors wonderland I am continually discovering and – just quietly – beginning to love.
I can’t even remember the first walk I did here. I am addicted to the Department Of Conservation (DOC) website and all walks end up one big molehill. Mt Hutt, Mt Richardson, Mt Somers, Lake Coleridge, Lake Sumner, Wharfdale Track, and Bealey Spur. I’ve dabbled.
I look them up, pack a bag, punch out the walk and tick, I have my fix. One mid-September morning, I headed off to Lake Sumner Forest Park.
Whether you bike, hunt, walk or fish, this is the perfect summer spot and somewhere I plan to return to. I didn’t stay the night, but there are many DOC huts and plenty of space for a tent next to any of the five lakes in the area.
The drive to Lake Taylor is about an hour-and-a-half, the first of the five lakes. Without a fourwheel-drive, your best option is to park and walk or bike in. The bike to the top of Lake Sumner took an hour and even less back. Warm clothes are a must as the track is exposed, but the scenery is 360 degrees at all times.
Lake Taylor is a beautiful picnic and fishing spot, and Loch Katrine further in makes you want to unpack a tent, pull out the thermos and read a book. I had neither so kept biking to the edge of stunning Lake Sumner. The sheep own the show and you would be hard-pressed to get further away from the city.
I followed the 4WD track in and options to continue are wide open. The Hurunui Huts are an hour walk from Lake Sumner and nearby natural hot pools are a treat.
I would recommend staying the night at the Hurunui Huts and walking four hours to Hope Kiwi Lodge on day two. If you have a ride waiting you could continue four hours out to State Highway 7, or come around the lake and back to your starting point.
This is an ideal Summer trip as even in spring the wind was cold. Nevertheless, Lake Sumner Forest Park is a paradise with views galore and lots of camping options. The maintained tracks are easy to follow making it a good place to start exploring the outdoors on Christchurch’s doorstep.
"The region has some pretty giant hills with gorgeous views. Knowing this helps me sleep at night and plan weekend adventures in a new outdoors wonderland."