Five Lakes Loop

Crossing 3 passes with great views of the region

It’s a loop! And mostly off-road.

Cooling off in a fine swimming hole on the Ahuriri River

Earning the long and wild descent off Mt Melina

This loop starts and finishes at Albert Town opposite a great DOC
campground, but you could start/finish at various access points on the
route: Tarras, Alexandra, Omarama.

The route crosses several passes which can be prone to high winds
and nasty weather and extremes of temperature – so come prepared for
anything!

There are great camping opportunities on all the off-road sections (some of the best and logical spots to camp to break the trip into 3 days are shown on the map above).

There is a great if tiny rustic hut on the east side of the Thomson
Saddle (marked on map). It has a straw floor and is weather tight – good in a storm or cold night.

Good huts exist in the Manuherikia East Branch, including a large shelter at the old homestead at the end of Hawkdun Road.