Hiking the Moke Lake Loop Track near Queenstown

The Moke Lake Loop Track is one of my favourite easy hikes near Queenstown.

Moke Lake is a picturesque, horseshoe-shaped lake ringed by mountains. On a calm, clear day, the lake reflects the mountains like a mirror.

While it feels a bit like you’re in the backcountry at Moke Lake, it’s located just a 20-minute drive from the Queenstown town centre.

The Moke Lake Loop Track circles the lake along a gentle trail. While there are some moderate uphill sections, it’s an overall mellow hike that’s suitable for most hiking levels.

As someone who lives in Queenstown, this is one of my go-to trails when I want an easy escape into nature to breathe in fresh alpine air and reset my nervous system.

In this guide, I’m sharing what to expect from the Moke Lake Loop Track, including lots of photos and tips to help you plan your own hike.

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Table of Contents

Moke Lake Loop Track Stats

Distance: 6 km
Time to hike: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Toilets? Yes, at the trailhead.
Drinking water available? No.
Dogs allowed? No.

How to get to the Moke Lake Loop Track

Moke Lake Road, with Lake Kirkpatrick and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

To get to Moke Lake, you’ll need to drive.

The Moke Lake Loop Track starts at the Moke Lake DOC Campsite, located 14 km from Queenstown via a turnoff from the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road.

From the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, the sign for the road to Moke Lake can be easy to miss, so I recommend plugging in directions before setting off from Queenstown.

Soon after you turn onto Moke Lake Road, the road becomes unpaved.

There can be quite a few potholes, and occasionally sheep will stray into the road, so take it slow and keep your eyes on the road (which is admittedly hard to do because the scenery is gorgeous!).

The road is typically safe for 2WD vehicles for most of the year when conditions are mild, but a 4WD is recommended in winter if it’s snowy or icy.

As you get closer to Moke Lake, you’ll reach another small lake called Lake Kirkpatrick. From here, the road becomes quite narrow, with space for just one vehicle at times.

My recommendation is to look ahead of you to see if there are any vehicles approaching and, if so, pull over at one of the vehicle bays to let traffic pass before you continue.

Once you reach the Moke Lake DOC Campsite, park in the free day-use area to begin your hike.

Or, if you’re travelling in a campervan, you might want to book a night at the campsite here (it’s my favourite campsite near Queenstown!).

Hiking the Moke Lake Loop Track

A sign at the start of the Moke Lake Loop Track.

The Moke Lake Loop Track starts right at the day-use car park by the Moke Lake DOC Campsite.

Because this is a loop track, you can start your hike in either direction. Both work well and you can’t go wrong.

On my most recent hike here, I went anticlockwise (which seems to be the most popular direction), so that’s what I’ll outline here.

A small wooden bridge at the start of the Moke Lake Loop Track.

From the car park, walk over the small wooden bridge across the edge of the lake.

A flat lakeside section of the Moke Lake Loop Track with golden grasses on the side of the trail.

After crossing the bridge, you’ll walk along the shores of Moke Lake for about 5 minutes on a flat, easy section of the trail.

A ridgeline section of the trail on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

The trail then ascends slightly and climbs up to a ridgetop above the lake.

A trail sign and stile on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

Continue on the trail down to the signed junction for Lake Dispute, and climb over the stile to stay on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

A boardwalk through a meadow with golden grasses on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

You’ll then walk across a narrow boardwalk before climbing up again to a ridgetop over the lake.

An uphill section on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

This is the steepest climb of the hike, but it doesn’t take very long to ascend (and if you get tired, you can stop to catch your breath while admiring the incredible views).

A trail leading through beech trees on a peninsula on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

After your climb, you’ll soon reach a dense beech forest on the left-hand side of the trail. If you have the energy, you can detour down through the beech forest onto a peninsula that juts out over Moke Lake.

The edge of the peninsula on the Moke Lake Loop Track with beech trees and mossy patches on the ground.

I highly recommend making the detour, as it’s gorgeous! It takes just about 5 minutes to reach the edge of the peninsula, which is always my favourite spot for a picnic lunch.

A downhill section on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

From the beech forest peninsula, make your way back to the main trail, then descend to the shores of Moke Lake on the final stretch of the hike.

A boardwalk on the Moke Lake Loop Track with golden grasses on the sides of the trail and mountain scenery in the background.

You’ll walk across another boardwalk before reaching Moke Lake Road.

A sign for the Moke Lake Campground on Moke Lake Road.

The Moke Lake Road section of the Moke Lake Loop Track.

From here, you’ll need to walk along the road for about 400 m (about 5 minutes) to connect back to the trail. Make sure to stick to the side of the road and listen for approaching cars.

A sign for Moke Lake Campground on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

The end section of the Moke Lake Loop Track on the way back to the Moke Lake DOC Campground.

Soon enough, you’ll be done with the road section.

A sign guides your way back to the trail, and from here, you’ll walk along the shores of Moke Lake on a flat, easy section before returning to the campground and day-use car park where you started.

Some tips for hiking the Moke Lake Loop Track

An uphill section of the Moke Lake Loop Track with beech trees on the side of the trail and mountains beyond the lake.

You likely won’t get cell service at Moke Lake. There is sometimes limited Wi-Fi at the entrance to the campground for the purpose of paying for a campsite if you arrive without a booking (subject to availability).
There are non-flush toilets at the day-use area and campground, with water taps for washing your hands (there usually isn’t soap, though). I always bring my own hand sanitiser.
There’s no potable drinking water at the trailhead or campground. Bring your own water!
Most of the trail is unshaded, and it can get hot in summer. No matter the time of year, make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen, even on a cloudy day.
The trail can get muddy in sections, particularly after it’s been raining. I recommend wearing hiking boots or trail runners with good traction.
Sometimes, I notice sandflies at Moke Lake (but not always). I recommend having insect repellent handy. Side note: the sandflies can’t catch up to you when you’re walking, but can be bothersome when you stop to rest.
I do not recommend booking an Uber or other rideshare to get out to Moke Lake. You’ll have a really hard time getting someone to pick you up, and you won’t get cell service, as mentioned above. I once gave a girl a ride back to town after she took an Uber out here and was stranded. So, take it from me and don’t follow suit!

Can you hike the Moke Lake Loop Track in winter?

Ty from Weekend Path on the Moke Lake Loop Track hike near Queenstown, with snowy mountains across the lake.

If you’re visiting Queenstown in winter and are keen to hike the Moke Lake Loop Track, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s often doable in winter.

That said, it’s not always great in winter. After a cold snap or snowstorm, the trail can get icy and/or snowy, and you may sometimes need a 4WD vehicle on Moke Lake Road.

I’ve done this hike many times on mild winter days without issue, but it really depends on the conditions that season and on the particular day you plan to visit.

If in doubt, check with the DOC Visitor Centre in Queenstown before you set out.

More things to do at Moke Lake

Ty from Weekend Path fly fishing at Moke Lake.

A visit to Moke Lake is a great day trip from Queenstown, especially if you combine your hike with another activity out there.

Here are some other things to do at Moke Lake:

If you’re visiting Queenstown in summer, Moke Lake is a lovely spot for a swim.
Have a picnic by the lake—just watch out for those cheeky ducks (and please don’t feed them!).
Try your luck at fly fishing (you’ll need to get a fishing licence beforehand).
Kayak or paddleboard on the lake. If you don’t have your own, you can book a kayak trip with Paddle Queenstown.
Go on a horseback riding excursion with Moke Lake Horse Treks.
I’ve mentioned this above, but camping at Moke Lake is another fantastic activity. The Moke Lake Campground is one of my top camping spots in the South Island—on a clear night, the stargazing is incredible.

Where to stay in Queenstown

Queenstown makes the perfect base for doing the Moke Lake Loop Track.

Here are some good places to stay in Queenstown that have parking available.

Budget-friendly: Tahuna Pod Hostel
Mid-range: Garden Court Suites & Apartments
Luxury: Stay of Queenstown

Thanks for reading my guide to the Moke Lake Loop Track!

Jac from Weekend Path on the Moke Lake Loop Track.

I truly hope this has helped you plan your hike, and that you love this trail as much as I do.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!