A walk at the southern end of Lake Wakatipu to the summit of Lorn Peak (1638m). Excellent views, including over the lake the whole way.
The route to Lorn Peak (1638m) takes you at first through farmland, then into the attractive tussock and alpine Remarkables Conservation Area. There are great views over the southern end of Lake Wakatipu all of the way from Kingston up to Queenstown. From the summit there are views up and down the Hector Mountains, and west over the Nevis Valley and Garvie Mountains.
It’s fairly easy if sometimes steep walking most of the way, and is the only proper sized tramp I know of in this area. Consequently it provides a unique perspective on the southern end of Lake Wakatipu. There is also a short walk starting in Kingston called the Shirt Tail Track.
We actually lost the track here – it goes off to the right. Made a nice photo though. Patchworked light was a feature of our walk. I liked these alpine plants higher up on the tops. Getting up close to the summit. Looking over the Nevis Valley and Garvie Mountains. Sophia waiting in a less windy spot for me to finish my photography. Point 1648m Another nice alpine plant. The northern end of the Hector Mountains. We visited a viewpoint over Lake Hope over there in the summer – that was a fabulously rugged spot, and very different from the rolling tussock slopes of Lorn Peak and surrounds. Sophia backed by the distant Eyre Mountains.
I took quite a few pictures towards these hills to the south-west. Lake Wakatipu starting to light up. A panorama from Kingston at the southern end of Lake Wakatipu up to Queenstown, where the lake bends west. I think Lake Wakatipu looks like it is covered with a cloud inversion here, but the lighting was just getting weird. Lake Wakatipu in dappled afternoon light. Calming scenes over towards Southland. Kingston down there at the bottom end of the lake.
Track Notes
On a grassy vehicle track through farmland, then onwards into the Remarkables Conservation Area. When the track runs out you can head up the fence line through tussock and then sparse alpine vegetation all the way to the summit.
The route starts on a grassy vehicle track through farmland, then onwards into the Remarkables Conservation Area. When the track runs out you can head up the fence line through tussock and then sparse alpine vegetation all the way to the summit. Probably 5-6 hours all up; about 12km and 1260m of ascent and descent. I originally got this walk idea from the Wild Things website, which is a trail running site, but also great for tramping ideas and track notes.
