Lake Emily to Lake Heron

While this is described as starting from Lake Emily, it can also be travelled in reverse. Lake Emily to Manuka Hut Time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hours Distance: 6.3 km - 7.75 km Depending on whether you have 4WD access, you'll either start from the carpark just off Hakatere Heron Road, or further on closer to Lake Emily. From here, the track continues past Lake Emily, before turning left at the Stour Track junction to follow Te Araroa towards Manuka Hut. Follow this until you meet the Stour River – here the track reconnects with the mountain bike track. Continue up the river to Manuka Hut. Note: If riding this track, you'll need to follow Stour Track south-east for 2.5km to the Stour River, before turning left and heading upstream along the Manuka Hut Mountian Bike Link. Follow this up the river for 2.5 km until it joins back with the walking track. Manuka Hut to Double Hill Hut Time: 1 hr 30 min Distance: 6 km This section is relatively straight forward as you continue north along the old farm track which connects the huts. Double Hill Hut is a 800m detour from the junction. Double Hill Hut to Lake Heron Time: 3 hrs Distance: 10 km From the Double Hill Hut junction, continue north for 500m where you'll turn left on the Swinn River Track, which leads directly to Lake Heron. The Lake Heron carpark is only a short distance away from the point where you meet the lake.

Lake Emily is accessed from Hakatere Heron Road, about 31 km west of Mount Somers. Leave Mount Somers on Ashburton Gorge Road, then turn right into Hakatere Heron Road (23 km). Turn right again just before crossing Jacobs Stream Bridge at Castleridge Station. 2WD vehicles can park on the verge of the farm track (be considerate of other users and farm vehicles). 4WD vehicles can travel a further 1.4 km to a car park on the public conversation land. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel

Manuka Hut is a basic hut located 300m east of the track. This hut is at risk of flooding during heavy rain. Double Hut , further north of Manuka Hut, is a basic hut which is 1.7km from the track.

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times.