Lake Kaniere & The Walks Beyond: Where the West Coast Slows You Down
Captured from the beach exit at Mananui Beach Walk. ©2019 Claire O’Connell
Fifteen minutes inland from Hokitika, tucked beneath ancient rimu and framed by misty ridgelines, sits Lake Kaniere - and honestly, it’s one of those places that just stops you in your tracks.
The water is impossibly still some days, like glass, reflecting the forest and sky so perfectly you’re not sure which way is up. Other times there’s a gentle ripple across the surface, catching the light just so. It’s the kind of beautiful that makes you want to sit down, stay awhile, forget what time you were supposed to be back.
So many of our Enchanted guests find their way here - sometimes the morning after their wedding, or on a quiet afternoon when they need a breath between celebrations, or as a little gift to friends and family who’ve travelled far to be with them. And they always come back glowing, saying the same thing: “It felt sacred somehow.”
What makes it special:
The stillness. The way the place just settles something in you. You can kayak or paddleboard across that mirror-smooth water, or brave a refreshing (read: cold) swim if you’re feeling adventurous. There are walking tracks that wind through the bush - some short and sweet, others longer if you want to really lose yourself in the green.
For couples, especially, it’s dreamlike at dawn or dusk. The light, the reflections, the sense of being somewhere secret and held - your photographer will thank you.
But wait, there’s more:
The forest around here is full of gentle adventures and hidden gems. Tracks that don’t ask much of you but give everything back. Places where ferns brush your shoulders and waterfalls appear around corners like secrets being shared.
Our favorites close by:
Dorothy Falls - An easy, short walk to a waterfall that cascades over moss-covered rock like liquid silk. Cool, beautiful, and incredibly photogenic on a warm day.
Hokitika Treetop Walk - A steel canopy pathway that takes you up into the forest ceiling with panoramic views across the lake and mountains. It’s accessible for all ages and abilities, and the views? Unforgettable.
Mananui Bush Walk - Forest and birdsong, then suddenly - boom - wild West Coast beach. Perfect for a morning stretch or a contemplative afternoon ramble.
Glow Worm Dell - A short walk after dark that’s pure magic. Hundreds of tiny lights blinking in the darkness like fallen stars. Bring a torch, but turn it off when you arrive. Just stand there and let your eyes adjust. Worth it.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, romance, reflection, or just a really good reason to be outside - Lake Kaniere and the walks around it offer exactly what you need. Sometimes you don’t know you needed it until you’re standing there, breathing it all in.
And that’s when you understand why people keep coming back.
