Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ

An easy walk along the Te Araroa Trail to Lake Emily, one of the Ashburton Lakes, then a short excursion off track to the summit of Emily Hill for good views.

Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park

A few kilometres easy walking along the Te Araroa Trail in Hakatere Conservation Park gives access to Lake Emily and neighbouring Emily Hill (963m). For views of the wide open spaces and lumpy topography of the Ashburton Lakes area, as well as the distant Arrowsmith Range, climb a couple of hundred vertical metres off track to the summit of the hill.

This is a fairly easy walk of about 4 hours, but exposed to the sun the whole way. I think the scenery would be nicer with snow about, so consider this one for winter. Track notes at the end.

Emily Hill & Lake Emily: The Scenery

Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
A swampy area early on in the walk.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Climbing Emily Hill from the south.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Lake Emily
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Topography to the north-west including the Arrowsmith Range.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Manuka Lake
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Panorama from near the summit of Emily Hill.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
The Arrowsmith Range in the distance.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Mt Somers Range (but not Mt Somers itself, which sits alone further east).
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Looking south.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Taking an alternative route down Emily Hill that required picking our way through spikey matagouri.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Lake Emily and the Clent Hills.
Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Emily Hill looking fairly inconspicuous in front of much taller mountains.


Track Notes

Emily Hill & Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Park
Starting a little down the road on a farm track, continue along this (part of the Te Araroa Trail) until you get to the southern end of Emily Hill. Climb the hill – keeping to the west for a while gets you views of Lake Emily, and going a little past the summit to a rocky outcrop gets you the money views, including of Manuka Lake. You can return the way you came, but we followed the dotted line for variety. 

You can drive down the Te Araroa Trail off the main road and park near a gate. Continue along the Te Araroa Trail until you get to the southern end of Emily Hill. Climb the hill, keeping to the west for a while for views of Lake Emily. Going a little past the summit to a rocky outcrop gets you the money views, including of Manuka Lake.

You can return the way you came, but we followed the dotted line for variety. This required picking our way through sometimes thick sections of matagouri. It can be done but a couple of wrong turns left my wife with legs like pin cushions.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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