A short forest walk to a tranquil lake.
From the Lake Sylvan Campsite (ample grassy space, toilets), a swingbridge leads across the Route Burn. The track sets off through a red beech forest that was once shingle river terrace. The forest is rich in bird life, including rifleman, kakariki, kaka, tui, fantail, robins, and even the rare yellowheads. Passing a junction, the track crosses a bridge and reaches the serene lake in 30 minutes.
From the lake, A longer return journey follows an old logging tramway back. Continue along the lake edge into mountain beech / toatoa / totara forest, to a junction after a few minutes. The route back turns right, onto the tramway and through logged red beech forest. Soon, the route crosses a little creek and closes the loop. Turn left, and it is 25 minutes back to the campsite. Total walking back along the tramway is 1 hr 15 min.
| Grade | Easy |
|---|---|
| Bookings | Not available |
| Length |
6.0km
Loop track
|
| Time | 1 hr – 1 hr 45 min |
| Altitude |
370m
– 376m
Altitude change 6m
|
| From | Sylvan Campsite, Routeburn Kinloch Road, Head of Lake Wakatipu |
| Maps |