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Blue Lake Loop Track: a short walk at St Bathans

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Plan the short 2 km Blue Lake loop at St Bathans, with parking, DOC's route map and clear directions for choosing it over the longer track.
Southern end of Blue Lake at St Bathans, photographed in February 2023.

Blue Lake's pale gold workings and open views make a memorable short stop at St Bathans. Choose the signed Blue Lake Loop Track: the longer Around Blue Lake Track is a different outing.

Quick facts

  • Distance: about 2 km loop.
  • Time: DOC estimates 50 minutes.
  • Effort: easy short walk, exposed to Central Otago weather.

Find the entrance

Turn from SH85 onto St Bathans Loop Road. In the village, leave the main street for the DOC car park near the lake. The brochure map marks parking and toilets at this southern end. Bring your own drinking water.

Follow the short loop

  1. From the village car park, find the Blue Lake Loop Track signs. Match them to the purple route on DOC's map below.
  2. Follow the loop through the old workings on the western side of the lake. Stay on the formed track and leave mining relics where they are.
  3. At junctions, keep to the short loop rather than the longer Around Blue Lake or Domain tracks. Follow the signed return to the village.

This guide covers the short loop shown in purple, not a complete circuit around the whole lake. Allow extra time for photographs and reading the mining history.

The open ground can be hot in summer and cold in winter. Adjust your clothing and water to the forecast. Follow current signs and keep clear of steep edges.

Location and route maps

The regional aerial map marks St Bathans. DOC's route map uses purple for Blue Lake Loop Track, red for the longer Around Blue Lake Track and orange for Domain Track. Tap either map to enlarge.

St Bathans and Blue Lake marked on LINZ regional aerial imagery.

DOC map: short Blue Lake Loop Track in purple, longer Around Blue Lake Track in red, Domain Track in orange.

Open DOC's complete Alexandra–Cromwell brochure. The route map is from the September 2020 edition; current DOC notices and track signs take precedence.

Sources and credits

Checked 22 October 2026. DOC Blue Lake Loop Track for current distance, time, access and dog rules. DOC pesticide information for pre-trip checks.

Photo: Southern end of Blue Lake, Pseudopanax, 14 February 2023, public domain. Historical photograph, resized for display.

Route map: Department of Conservation, Alexandra–Cromwell tracks brochure, September 2020, CC BY 4.0; cropped from the original map without changing its routes. Regional imagery: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0; location label added.