Lake Rotoiti Loop
Nelson Lakes National Park
25km loop run.
Start and finish at the Kerr Bay parking. Or, for a quieter spot to chill at the end on a busy summer day, start and finish at the parking at the dock in West Bay. Both options have toilets.
Typically we run counter clockwise so that we get the short section of gravel road running over and so that we have the cruiser 9km trail along the East shore for an easier finish. The gravel road is also the only real uphill for the day. The rest is rolling or flat. The trail along the West shore is good but a little more rooty and rocky than the East shore. The Whisky falls side track is worthy of a photo op. For a lunch stop use one of the huts if it is a cold or rainy day. If it is a fine day then stop at the Coldwater Stream crossing and bask on the rocks.
If the stream is flowing too strongly to wade safely then go 5km upstream to the wire suspension bridge to cross. Running the extra 5km each way up and down the valley is pleasant single track in the grasslands and recommended if you are looking for a longer day. This makes it a 35km loop.
