The Lakes

Other rides

8 Day - 7 Night High Country Adventure riding through the mountains, forest, streams, lakes and rivers of the Hurunui.

Slideshow of The Lakes ride:

A unique opportunity to meet the people who own the sheep and cattle stations along the way and experience the culture of the New Zealand high country. Our accommodation each night is mainly in shearer's quarters, where a hot shower and comfortable bed are very welcome at the end of a day's ride. We also have the opportunity to interact with local farmers and sample their genuine Kiwi hospitality.

Your adventure begins with your arrival at our base or local accommodation where your guides will join you for an evening meal.

From our base at The Peaks we saddle up and follow the Waitohi River to Seven Hills Station, where you spend your first night. (approx. 4.5 hrs riding)

The following day we ride through Mt Mason Station following the Waitohi gorge over a pass and journey through the valleys of the Virginia area, to Double Tops Station and your accommodation for the next two nights either in the shearers quarters or camping in a tent. (approx. 5.5 hrs riding)

The third day we ride through Double Tops station climbing high onto the Double Top ridge where if the weather is kind we have an amazing view of the Bay. (approx. 5.5 hrs riding)

Lake Taylor Station

The fourth day we set of early in the morning, following a trail through the bottom end of Mt Mason Station, then crossing the Waitohi into Mt Noble Station. We climb up onto Windy Ridge and follow the trail down to the Lake Sumner Road and follow the Hurunui gorge until we meet both the South and North branches of the Hurunui River where we cross and enter Lake Taylor Station, riding through Boulder Gully and Starvation Valley to the shearers quarters at Lake Taylor Station which is our accommodation for the next two nights. (approx. 8.5hrs riding)

We spend the next two days exploring the incredible beauty of some of New Zealand's most spectacular high country, with an abundance of lakes and mountain scenery that few get to experience. (approx. 5.5 hrs and 8 hrs riding)

The seventh day sadly we have to leave these magical lakes and start making our way home, up, over and down the Orinoko Range, through Esk Valley and follow the Hurunui river back through to the lower end of Seven Hills Station, where you spend the night with the owner. (approx. 5.5 hrs riding)

On our last day we ride along the banks of the tranquil Hurunui River, under the impressive Hooligan Range with Mt. Mizar, Ben Cliberick, Phyllis Fell and Mount Catherine on the opposite side of the river. We lunch below Mt. Self beside the Hurunui, after which we ride across country again, up and over the Kanuku Saddle (approx. 850m) with its panoramic views of the Amuri Basin, down to our base where we unsaddle, unpack, wash the horses down and then enjoy afternoon tea. (approx. 5.5 hrs riding)

At the end of the ride we unsaddle, unpack, and tuck into a well-deserved afternoon tea before enjoying for an end of trek dinner party.

We use a Four-Wheel-Drive vehicle to transport our gear, food and equipment which allows for a ride with a more varied pace and in which you can experience the true freedom of the high country on horseback.

Our gear and refreshments await us after the horses are taken care of at the end of each day's ride. The emphasis throughout is on quality, with simple though comfortable rustic accommodation, hot showers, good food and a great riding experience.

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