Kaniere Water Race Walkway : Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The Kaniere Water Race Walkway provides an opportunity for a pleasant bush walk in an area that is rich in history.

This DOC directory entry covers **Kaniere Water Race Walkway ** in West Coast, within Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 9.9 km one way
• Walking time: 4 hr
• DOC grade: Easy; Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The walkway follows a historic power station water race as it twists and turns along the edge of a scenic reserve.

The walkway starts at the Landing at the northern edge of Lake Kaniere and ends at Kennedy Creek on the Hokitika-Lake Kaniere Road.

The walkway contains two distinct sections:

Lake Kaniere to Wards Road

This track section is walking track and a Grade 2 mountain bike ride. It is part of the West Coast Wilderness Trail (which then follows Wards Road rather than continuing the along the water race).

Expect a wide (around 1.5 m) track with a good surface. It is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines. All stream crossings are bridged.

The track follows a working water race and there are drop offs in places, so keep an eye on children.

Wards Road to Kennedys Creek Road

This track section is a more challenging tramping and biking experience. It is a Grade 4: Advanced to Grade 5: Expert mountain bike ride and is not part of the Wilderness Trail.

You can expect:

• a narrow (less than 0.8m) track

• a rough and uneven track surface, with tree roots and rocks

• steep drops beside the track s

• steps that you will have to carry your bike up and down.

Getting there

From Hokitika head east 19 km along Lake Kaniere Road, this road meets the lake at 'The Landing'. The road forks at this point, the right road heads to 'Sunny Bight' and the other is Dorothy Falls Road which takes you around the east side of the lake past Hans Bay.

Know before you go

This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

Wards Road to Kennedys Creek Road section

You will need a full suspension mountain bike, puncture kit and first aid kit.

If you don’t have the experience for a Grade 4/5 ride, we recommend choosing the Lake Kaniere to Wards Road section of the track instead.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.