Mt John Summit Circuit Track — Attraction in South Island

Completed on a nice day in March - sunny, light winds, around midday wasn't too hot. I went counter clockwise and was happy that I did. The first 80% of it is a gradual incline up and around the hill, but the views were amazing. Although it made for a longer amount of time walking uphill, the beautiful lakeside scenery made for an excuse to stop for frequent breaks. Then, by the time you reach the Café it feels like a well earned treat at the almost-end of your journey. The steeper, shorter descent through the trees is cool and shaded, and you can jog lightly to finish up the hike quickly without feeling like you're missing anything scenic.

⚠️There's one point while walking along the barbed wire fence that you have to climb over it- thankfully there are wooden platforms to help, but it isn't well marked. Just keep an eye out so as not to miss it like I did🤦🏻‍♀️

At the farthest point from the start, there's a nice overlook as to head back South towards the Café and there were some benches that you could sit at and enjoy snacks. Lots of nice photo opportunities here, and way less busy than the Café. I personally enjoyed stopping here the most.

I think it took me 3.5 hours with the long scenic stop and a coffee break, but certainly possible in less than 2.5. Plenty of free parking spots available along the lake (longer walk to the trailhead) and in free spaces beside the Tekapo Springs...

Get your exercise and soak in the 360 degree views of the Lakes and Mackenzie Basin flats with this lovely walk. The complete walk is a 8.9km loop track. Start past Tekapo Hot Springs if approaching from the Lake Tekapo lakefront. It keeps winding uphill till you are at Mt John Observatory summit. If you If you retrace your path from the summit, its about 3.1km in total.

You can stop for a refreshing coffee at Astro Cafe at Mt John Observatory summit, if before 5PM. After that Mt John Observatory is only open to Guests signed up for the night sky stargazing experience.

It's beautiful any which way you look. Apart from Lake Tekapo you also see Lake Alexandrina and the much smaller Lake McGregor. On a clear day you catch sight of the Aoraki range as well. When you look down at Tekapo and see how small the CHurch of Good Shephard looks, you know you have had a good walk and a good climb.

Can be breezy and therefore get cold easily at the top, have a warm layer and...

Loved this walk! Recommended time is 3hrs.

Took me and my dog 2hr 45mins to finish the whole thing. We went up the Mt John walkway first then came down the south summit. This route was nice as the hardest part was at the beginning then it was fairly downhill for the rest of the walk.

I wont lie...climbing up the mountain was tough, it took some willpower but at the top was beautiful and the way down was picturesque 😍 Definitely worth it!

Would wear good traction shoes as some parts are very mucky and slidey especially from may through sep. Extra caution recommended 👌

Bring a good size drink as you'll...