Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

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Tekapo Tiki Tour

Tekapo, Canterbury

Submitted by Gracie Keown

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 11 ?

Gnarl Factor: 11 ?

11.0km

180m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Dog Friendly

Plantation/exotic forest

Riverside

Lakeside

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

15%
85%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +2.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -3.2%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:35

Slow

1:10

Moderate

0:50

Fast

Dogs are allowed ON LEASH.

Run along Tekapo River, away from the church on Pioneer Drive and cross SH8. Here you will see the entrance to Cowans Hill Walkway. Follow the well marked trail, beginning along Tekapo River, cruising through a short forest segment, onto a 4WD track that goes uphill to give stunning views of the lake.

After enjoying the view and open tussock grasslands, the walkway takes you downhill to SH8. Run along with the highway on your right for a short distance before crossing and entering Lake Tekapo Regional Park.

Once in the regional park, turn right and follow Cox's track. Continue around the edge of the park, always choosing the track which keeps you near the fenced park edge on your right. The trails are well marked, shaded, bidirectional and shared with mountain bikes. Eventually you will reach the northern tip of the park where there is a fire exit. Do not exit the park yet, continue on the green and white marked trails until you reach the second fire exit. Take this exit, cross Lilybank road and you'll be back on the foreshore of Lake Tekapo.

Turn left and find the final trail which runs along the foreshore, past the motorhome camp, along the edge of SH8, onto Pioneer Drive and past the Sheepdog Memorial to finish at the church. 

Run past iconic features of Tekapo - the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Memorial.

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

Carpark on Pioneer Drive near the Church of the Good Shepherd.

1 km

1 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

Generally good.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries

No drinking water available

Nil

Rabbit holes

Our Dog Friday
5 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999
Epic burgers post-run

Trail Legend

Brad  Rivers

Brad Rivers

has completed Tekapo Tiki Tour once in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

Fastest Known Times (FKTs)

Can be run clockwise or anti-clockwise

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Trail Reviews

Awesome wee shakeout. Had to take 4WD road down lake due to high water levels but all good

Tony Sharpe

June 3, 2023

Some great views once out of young pine plantation on the Conway Hill trail and nice flowing trails in the forest, watch out for the pine cones!! Highly recommend using the gpx file and following as you run, otherwise you may head down a wrong trail…or three.

Geoffrey Smith

October 29, 2021

Great leg stretcher with a nice variety of trail & some wicked views. One of those surprise gems that I’ve driven past so often & now wonder why it took so long to tick it off!

Malcolm Law

September 13, 2021

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Overlapping Trails

These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.

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