Lake Dispute Walkway (track), Glenorchy – Queenstown, New Zealand
The Lake Dispute track near Queenstown New Zealand is an initially steep hike up to a high country lake, which offers a peaceful, quiet, and relaxing environment. Learn what to expect, how to get to Lake Dispute, and see a video of experiencing the walk and spending time at the lake.
The Lake Dispute Walkway between Queenstown and Glenorchy is a 1.4 km (0.9 mi) walk up to a high-country lake.
The Lake Dispute track is closer to Queenstown than it is to Glenorchy.
This Queenstown walk offers scenic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and crosses private farmland.
Once you reach Lake Dispute, you have the option to do the Mt. Crichton Loop Track or walk to Moke Lake.
Lake Dispute is a high-country lake that is surrounded by lush green hills and a very relaxing environment.
How to get to the Lake Dispute Walkway
From Queenstown, drive in the direction of Glenorchy on the Glenorchy – Queenstown road.
After passing Wilsons Bay (on your left), drive for another 1.5 km until you see a fairly large pullout on the left side of the road and a DOC sign further down the road on the right side of the road.
Park your car in the pullout, watch for traffic, cross the road, and walk to the beginning of the Lake Dispute track, which begins at the DOC sign and goes up a gravel road.
Walking the Lake Dispute track near Queenstown
The starting point of the Lake Dispute track, also known as the Lake Dispute Walkway, is located on the Glenorchy-Queenstown road not too far outside of Queenstown, New Zealand.
There is a pullout, where you can park your car, on the left side of the road just before you reach the track that leads up to Lake Dispute.
The walk starts out very steep. The Lake Dispute track is steeper than the Mount Roy Track in Wanaka, but the steepness does not last as long as it does on the Mount Roy Track.
The loose rocks – and sometimes deep grooves – on the Lake Dispute track add to the difficulty of hiking this trail, especially on the descent when your footing can get very tricky.
This first steep part of the Lake Dispute track also offers scenic views of the mountains surrounding Lake Wakatipu and of Lake Wakatipu itself.
And on clear days you can see all the way to the Remarkables in Queenstown.
You’ll have to open (and close) 2 gates and cross 3 stiles before you reach Lake Dispute.
You’ll reach the first gate after approximately 15 minutes of climbing up the Lake Dispute track. The Lake Dispute track levels off for a while and after a couple of minutes more of walking, you’ll come up to a second DOC sign.
After the DOC sign, the track climbs moderately steep up to the first stile. After crossing the first stile, the Lake Dispute track becomes flat, grassy, and narrow.
It is in this part that you’ll notice bike tracks of mountain bikers who also tend to do recreational activities in the Lake Dispute – Moke Lake area.
After crossing the first stile, you’ll come up to a second gate after a while. Here you’ll notice the most that you’re on farmland with the distant sounds of sheep and all of the green hillsides.
After passing the second gate, you’ll come up to a second stile which will get you onto a road that leads to the north end of Lake Dispute, a saddle, and a trail to Moke Lake.
However, you’ll also see another DOC (Department of Conservation) sign for the Mt. Crichton Loop Track. If you follow the trail next to this sign, you’ll descend towards the south end of Lake Dispute.
And after crossing a third stile, you’ll arrive at the same location where footage in the video below of Lake Dispute was recorded.
Basic information for the Lake Dispute track near Queenstown
| Trail length: | 1.4 km (0.9 mi) |
| Walking time: | 40 minutes |
| Difficulty: | Medium |
| Trail type: | Gravel roads mixed with well-formed tracks; well signposted. |
| Trail condition: | Average. The Lake Dispute track is steep and rocky in the first section with ruts here and there, then it becomes grassy when it levels off. |
| Fitness level: | Moderate to high |
| Best time to walk: | Anytime |
| What you’ll see: | Lake Dispute, Lake Wakatipu, mountains |
The following map shows the location of the parking lot and the location of Lake Dispute. The trail you’ll have to follow for the Lake Dispute track is shown as a red line.
Use the plus and minus buttons to zoom in and out of the map and to see more or less detail on the map. Click the Satellite button to see more of the actual trail itself and surrounding shrubs.
Figure 1. Map of the Lake Dispute track, Queenstown, New Zealand.
Video of the Lake Dispute walk near Queenstown
The following 2-minute video gives you an impression of what to expect on this scenic and peaceful hike up to Lake Dispute near Queenstown.
Filed under Day Walks
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