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Experience a fine hike on the Key Summit ridge with spectacular panoramas of Fiordland National Park.


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Map Key

1.4

Miles

2.2

KM

Point to Point

3,538' 1,079 m

High

3,016' 919 m

Low

535' 163 m

Up

13' 4 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Views · Wildflowers

Heed all warning signs for the 1080 animal poison that was distributed in the area at the end of 2017.

Description

From Key Summit, head further south on the obvious track along the mountain ridge. After a quarter of a mile, you reach the viewpoint of Lake Marian—a tarn at the base of Mount Christina just across the Hollyford Valley. Turn slightly left and follow the path across the alpine meadow. Just a bit further is another boardwalk across a wet meadow with a beautiful tarn to the right. The track soon re-enters the beech forest, which can be very muddy for most of the season.

At half a mile, you are back on the meadow. Sometimes, there can be several paths and they all lead in the right direction, but staying to the right is the safest bet. As you hike further on the ridge, the view to all sides is just stunning. Lake Marian is even more visible. Consolation Peak is also to your right. Toward the left you can look into the Greenstone Valley, and once you reach the highest point, you have a great view of Lake McKellar. There is a cairn at the end of the trail. It used to continue further and back down the Greenstone Valley, but this track—formerly known as Whiskey Track—is no longer used by hikers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tilman Giese

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#1052

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
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Trail Rankings

#11

in New Zealand

#1,052

Overall
2 Views Last Month
288 Since Feb 9, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Lake Marian surrounded by the mountains that source the tarn
Feb 7, 2018 near Queenstown, NZ
A green meadow with an alpine lake in front of Mount Christina
Feb 7, 2018 near Queenstown, NZ
Fine views from Key Summit
Mar 15, 2015 near Queenstown, NZ
Mount Christina and a glimpse of Lake Marian at its base
Feb 7, 2018 near Queenstown, NZ
Lake Marian from the Key Summit Track
Feb 8, 2018 near Queenstown, NZ
Lake McKellar
Feb 7, 2018 near Queenstown, NZ

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Dec 23, 2017
Tilman Giese
Dec 27, 2016
Annie Qiu
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