Lake Clearwater

Drive deep into Central Canterbury and past the long stretches of seemingly never ending farmland until the landscape begins to change from flat to curved and shaped. The road begins to twist and grassy hillsides rise up from the valley. Eventually the road becomes corrugated and unsealed until it ends at the small settlement of Lake Clearwater. At the lake front ditch the car to enjoy the 2+ hour circular walk. Lake Clearwater is positioned in a remote valley surrounded by distant mountains. At the lake’s far side is a wetland with a man made boardwalk to cross, protecting both the habitat and your feet! As the path rises up you reach a point overlooking the lake and the epic scenery, it’s about half way around and an appropriate stop for a picnic. I visited in winter time when the air lingered about me cold and damp and the lake was half frozen with ice. The track continues around the lake side until you reach a small stream leading off, as I stood on the small bridge peering downwards, a river of never ending crushed and broken ice floated downstream. It was quite a sight. At this point you also look back across the full length of the lake, past the wetlands and through the long remote valley to the snow laden mountains beyond.