Hāwea River Track
An easy riverside track linking Lake Hāwea township to Wānaka via Albert Town.
This riverside walk follows the Hāwea River over easy country and connects Lake Hāwea township with Wānaka through Albert Town. DOC describes it as suitable for all ages and experience levels. It joins up with the Gladstone Track, which runs along the Lake Hāwea foreshore from the dam.
Highlights
- Easy riverside walking with no big climbs
- Links Lake Hāwea township to Wānaka via Albert Town
- Connects to the Gladstone Track along the Lake Hāwea foreshore
- Works as a walk or a ride
Good to know
- Location
- Hāwea River, between Albert Town and the Hāwea dam
- Start point
- Albert Town or the Hāwea dam
- Duration
- Albert Town to Hāwea dam: 3-4 hr
- Track length
- 14 km
- Grade
- Suitable for all ages and experience, over easy country
- Family-friendly
- Yes
Track times in the DOC brochure are one way unless otherwise stated, so plan a shuttle or turn back partway.
Visiting from Sundale
The Hāwea River Track runs 14 km between Albert Town and the Hāwea dam, and Albert Town is a short drive from the park. It is easy country with no real climbing, which makes it the sensible choice on a day when the tops are sitting in cloud and the summit walks are off.
Allow three to four hours one way, so most guests either arrange a pick-up at the far end or walk out and back for as long as suits. It works just as well as a ride. Take water, sun cover and a windproof layer, since the river corridor is open in places.
At the Hāwea end it joins the Gladstone Track, which follows the Lake Hāwea foreshore, so you can add as much or as little as you like. Back at the park the communal kitchen is useful for a late lunch if you have been out longer than you planned.
Stay nearby
Questions
Is it suitable for all ages?
DOC describes it as suitable for all ages and experience levels, over easy country beside the river.
Do I have to walk the whole 14 km?
No. The 3 to 4 hour time is one way from Albert Town to the Hāwea dam, so plan a shuttle or simply turn back whenever it suits.
Can I cycle it?
Yes, it works as a walk or a ride, and it connects to the Gladstone Track along the Lake Hāwea foreshore.
Sources
- Hāwea River Track, Albert Town to Hāwea dam: 3-4 hr, 14 km; suitable for all ages and experience, this riverside walk is over easy country and links Lake Hāwea township to Wānaka via Albert Town; Gladstone Track, Hāwea dam to Johns Creek Recreation Reserve: 1 hr 45 min, 6.9 km, follows the foreshore in front of Lake Hāwea township — source
Nearby
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Eely Point Walk
A 20 minute lakeshore walk from Wānaka town to a sheltered picnic and boating spot.
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Your Wānaka basecamp
Make Sundale your base.
Cabins, studios, motels and soft-grass camping, five minutes from the water and close to everything above.