Image: Jaime Apolonio | Creative Commons
View over Glendhu Bay from the Lower Circuit Track
Lower Circuit Track

Located in Diamond Lake and Hospital Flat conservation areas in the Otago region

This track has outstanding views over Lake Wānaka. Sections of track are often slippery.

Follow the old dirt road from the car park to Diamond Lake, where a steep climb up the bluffs leads to a viewing platform overlooking the small lake.

From there, the Lower Circuit's eastern and western sides form a loop culminating at 640 m above sea level, with good views over Glendhu Bay.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is permitted to Diamond Lake only.

Other activities

The surrounding bluffs are very popular with rock or sport climbers, especially in summer when there is no ice on these southerly faces.

Diamond Lake Conservation Area is 18.5 km west of Wanaka on the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road.

Extreme care is required on these walks during winter. Because of ice, the Diamond Lake Track may not be suitable to walk.

The Diamond Lake Conservation Area's landscape has been carved by Ice Age glaciers, with stands of native forest and shrubland nestling into bluff systems.