Mount John via Lakeshore

Mount John via Lakeshore - Lake Tekapo Walkway

Mount John via Lakeshore

Lake Tekapo Walkway

51 Rankers Reviews

1 Walking

5 Lake Tekapo

Your Nature Guide

Marios Gavalas's avatar

Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Photos

View from the top of Mt John
Mt John Observatory

Information

Mount John via Lakeshore

7 km return | 3 hours return

A sign at the top of Mount John, where there is also an observatory, states: “Probably the best place on the planet for a cafe.” It’s also a viewpoint worth climbing for.

Walking Track

Access

Mount John Walkway is signposted from near the Tekapo Springs complex in Tekapo. Follow the lakeshore road 1 km, passing the campground, to the parking area on the left.

Track

It’s a steady ascent of over 300 metres to Mount John. At first you are passing through coniferous forests, with a dusty sparse understorey. Breaking out of the vegetation near the summit is the start of the breathtaking views over the vast expanse of McKenzie Country and New Zealand highest peaks in the distance.

Stop for a coffee.

The Summit Circuit continues in a direction looking up the lake as it starts it’s descent through the sheep grazed paddocks. The track is signposted, but can be difficult to decipher. There are occasional orange topped poles and stiles.

The track eventually doubles back on itself, skirting above the turquoise lake waters, re-entering forest before arriving back near the hot springs complex.

Stop for a soak.

Geology

The McKenzie country is a moonscape. This elevated plateau was infilled by the outwash of glaciations. During Ice Ages, glaciers forming in the high peaks of the Southern Alps, disgorged vast quantities of material during their retreat. These meltwater rivers carried gravels, sands and silts, dumping their load in the natural contours and flattening them out.

Lying at altitude of over 600 metres and being in the rainshadow of the mountains, the dry, cold country around Lake Tekapo experiences a continental climate similar to Siberia. Summers are very hot, winters are very cold and there is little rainfall. This is why the area is so arid and dusty.

Flora

Introduced lupins flower in December and January creating foreground for the enviable photos collected by international travellers.

Polynesian History

Maori rarely venture into these isolated parts, although it is likely they would have chased moa, who browsed the totara colonising the area.

European History

James McKenzie is one of those characters who has become larger that life over the course of time. So much has embellished the facts, that it is difficult to separate fact from fiction when recounting stories of his eventful life.

It is known he was imprisoned in 1855 on the charge of stealing sheep from Level Station. He travelled Canterbury and Otago with his bullock and dog, Friday. He was known for his cunning, strength and rebellious spirit - qualities that endeared him to the many other sheep drovers and farm workers, resentful of the rules and regulation imposed by wealthy landowners.

It is said McKenzie ‘discovered’ the area that now bear his name on one of his forays with sheep he was either droving or stealing.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Canterbury

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandMount Cook - MacKenzieLake Tekapo

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-43.9980942546967

170.461814308166

Latitude
-43.9980942546967
Longitude
170.461814308166

Nearby

Reviews

    • Beautiful views and a nice intermediate hike.
    • Really nice trek, quite easy, lovely views.
    • This is the best track I have ever walked.
    • Great views throughout the whole walk.
    • Quite steep 35 minute walk to summit.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 17
    33%
    9/10 19
    37%
    8/10 9
    18%
    7/10 5
    10%
    6/10 1
    2%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    Stunning view!!

    Easy walk up and totaly worth it!!

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Quite steep 35 minute walk to summit.

    Wonderful views and good coffee

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

    Liz's avatar

    Liz

  • 5.0/5

    29Oct18.

    We love this walk especially as there is the cafe at the top. The walk is not too strenuous and includes the forest element and the open areas near the top. Great views.

    Great cafe.

    A longer walk down if the weather is ok.

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful views and a nice intermediate hike.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

  • 3.5/5

    Fabulous walk with diverse views but could have been better sign posted.

    Amazing at the top!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Nice view up there of the lake and Southern Alps - very windy!!

    Easy walk along the shore on the way back.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Awesome place, it was our first place to visit, beautiful view of the water, a lot of wind - but really nice view.

    Nice spot for a swim, even at 15 degrees.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    We have done a very nice walk at this beautiful lake.

    The view is amazing. The lake is cold for a swim but impossible not to go.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.0/5

    One of the best views in New Zealand, 360 degree view, different landscape in the same place.

    Don't hestitate, do not miss this.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Very nice walk in a beautiful area with an amazing view of the Remarkable Lake.

    It is also great that they have a cafe at the top to enjoy coffee/tea etc.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 5.0/5

    This is the best track I have ever walked.

    Stunning was the 360 degree view from Mt Jon and an interesting observatory.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 3.0/5

    Crowded during the day, great 360 views but there is a slight boring factor, lots of hipsters with low grade dslrs getting around getting in your way hogging the good spots, shooing peoples children away

    ...

    Night time would be the best time to visit, view the stars, and maybe witness the Southern Lights :)

    Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in November 2010

  • 5.0/5

    Stunning view!!

    Easy walk up and totaly worth it!!

    Reviewed about 5 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Quite steep 35 minute walk to summit.

    Wonderful views and good coffee

    Reviewed over 5 years ago

    Liz's avatar

    Liz

  • 5.0/5

    29Oct18.

    We love this walk especially as there is the cafe at the top. The walk is not too strenuous and includes the forest element and the open areas near the top. Great views.

    Great cafe.

    A longer walk down if the weather is ok.

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful views and a nice intermediate hike.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

  • 3.5/5

    Nice view up there of the lake and Southern Alps - very windy!!

    Easy walk along the shore on the way back.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Fabulous walk with diverse views but could have been better sign posted.

    Amazing at the top!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Awesome place, it was our first place to visit, beautiful view of the water, a lot of wind - but really nice view.

    Nice spot for a swim, even at 15 degrees.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    We have done a very nice walk at this beautiful lake.

    The view is amazing. The lake is cold for a swim but impossible not to go.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Very nice walk in a beautiful area with an amazing view of the Remarkable Lake.

    It is also great that they have a cafe at the top to enjoy coffee/tea etc.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.0/5

    One of the best views in New Zealand, 360 degree view, different landscape in the same place.

    Don't hestitate, do not miss this.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 5.0/5

    This is the best track I have ever walked.

    Stunning was the 360 degree view from Mt Jon and an interesting observatory.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.0/5

    So windy but really beautiful, an amazing view of Tekapo Lake!

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 4.5/5

    Stunning walk, the view is beautiful.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Nice views, good climb.

    Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful on a sunny day.

    Great views, definitely recommend. Do not go there on a cloudy day.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 4.0/5

    Easy walk up to the Astro Centre.

    Beautiful view over the valley and Lake Tekapo.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 3.5/5

    Our first walk - good for beginners.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 4.5/5

    Great views throughout the whole walk.

    360 degree views from the top. Sheep and rabbits sighted, time 3 hours.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

  • 5.0/5

    AWESOME walk!!!!!

    Easy walk with beautiful views!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Really nice trek, quite easy, lovely views.

    Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in December 2013

  • 4.5/5

    Well maintained path, stunning scenery.

    Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in December 2013

  • 3.0/5

    Crowded during the day, great 360 views but there is a slight boring factor, lots of hipsters with low grade dslrs getting around getting in your way hogging the good spots, shooing peoples children away

    ...

    Night time would be the best time to visit, view the stars, and maybe witness the Southern Lights :)

    Reviewed almost 11 years ago and experienced in November 2010

  • 3.5/5

    Windy and rainy day so it was not the best.

    We were happy to be on top - nice to see the lake and mountains.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 5.0/5

    A beautiful view from the top of the mountains and an awesome place to have a break and enjoy the nature.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 4.5/5

    Nice views.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 5.0/5

    Peace and quiet with breathtaking views.

    Met just a few hikers on the way. Challenging hike up the mountain - just as we like it.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful walk near the lake and mountains.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 5.0/5

    stunning views across the lake and mountains.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago and experienced in December 2012

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful view on the Blue Lake.

    Very accessible.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012

  • 4.5/5

    Very rewarding views of very very blue Lake Tekapo and surroundings.

    Coffee at the top of the hill.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012