January 30, 2026
Lake Middleton to Ahuriri River
TA km marker 2527.5 to 2555.7
Hiked today: 28.2 km

From our campsite by the lake we were shaded from the morning sun but were woken by cattle across the lake as well as geese on the water. We headed off around 7 am and followed a path beside the lake before our trail took us off beside farmland and made a gradual ascent into rolling hills.

Very soon we merged with the Alps to Ocean bike trail which we had also followed around Lake Ohau yesterday. For a short stint through pretty forest, our track was wide, flat and clear of debris. Then we left the lovely bike path and almost immediately were sloshing through mud and up rocky paths running with water.

Overall, though, the climb was reasonably gentle and once over the saddle we had lovely views as we wound around scree slopes and then long stretches of easy walking through grassy meadows. We had lunch along the way with Marty from N Germany, and 3 other young hikers who are all going at a faster pace than us, but happy to chat.

Our aim today was to cross the Ahuriri River which is about 30m across. We wanted to camp on the other side to be well set up for tomorrow’s big ascent. As we neared the river, we passed through a lot of muddy marshland, and I made a leap across a mud puddle that ended in a slide and then an unintended sit down in the mud. Not comfortable for walking, and not a good look for my light coloured hiking pants.

Marty very kindly carried my pack across the river and Rob and I linked arms to make it safely across. As it turned out, the water wasn’t too deep or too fast flowing. After setting up the tent, I washed the pants and we set them and our socks and shoes out to dry. It is hot, and the sun sets late, so there is a good chance we will at least start tomorrow with dry clothes.