Lake Daniell: A Classic Family-Friendly Day Hike in the Lewis Pass
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
If you’re looking for a gentle, rewarding walk through lush beech forest with a beautiful lake and a spacious hut at the end, Lake Daniell is one of the best family-friendly hikes in the South Island. With only around 100 metres of total elevation gain and a well-formed track for most of the way, it’s suitable for beginners, children, and anyone after an easy day in the bush.
This popular track begins from Marble Hill Campground on the Lewis Pass Highway and follows the Alfred River upstream to the lake and Kohanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut.
The Track: Easy, Forested, and Full of Features
The Sluice Box – A Powerful Start
Only five minutes from the car park you’ll reach the Sluice Box, where the Maruia River funnels through a narrow rocky gorge beneath the bridge.
In fine weather the water is a striking turquoise blue, but after heavy rain it turns a dramatic chocolate brown — as it was during my visit. It’s a reminder of just how quickly the waterways from the Lewis Pass can rise and colour.
Wide, Well-Benched Walking
For the first half of the hike the track is wide, smooth, and beautifully benched — perfect for families with young kids or anyone new to tramping.
You’ll soon pass a sign pointing to the Alfred River, a far more challenging backcountry mission Challenging Overnight Hike to Pell Stream Hut.
A little further on, the wonderfully named Heffalump Hole appears — complete with a quirky sign and a deep hole that genuinely looks big enough to swallow an adult. It’s a fun stop, especially for kids.
Halfway: Troll Bridge
The halfway point is marked by Troll Bridge, with distances helpfully shown on the sign:
4.8 km to Lake Daniell
4.2 km back to the car park
It’s a great place for a quick snack break before the track changes character.
Narrower Track, Beech Forest, and Boardwalks
From Troll Bridge, the trail narrows and begins to sidle above the Alfred River, which tumbles and gorges below.
The terrain becomes slightly more varied with:
boardwalks over swampy patches,
small bridges over side streams, and
a few ups and downs (still gentle).
You’ll pass another sign down to Pell Stream, offering a second access point to that advanced route. A seat nearby makes a lovely rest stop amongst the trees.
Goblin Forest & The Final Stretch
The track stays entirely within beech forest, gradually transitioning into true goblin forest as thick carpets of moss and lichen appear along the branches and forest floor.
Eventually you’ll cross Frazer Stream, the outlet of Lake Daniell, and from here it’s a short stroll to the open grassy flats and Kohanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut.
Kohanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut
This impressive hut sits right on the lake edge and is:
bookable,
large,
popular with families, school groups, and scout camps,
surrounded by flat ground perfect for tents.
The lake is stunning in all weather, mirroring the surrounding forest and mountains on a calm day.
Exploring Beyond the Hut
It’s possible to walk to the head of Lake Daniell via a worn, marked trail on the right-hand side.
The left-hand side has no trail or markers and is not recommended, especially for inexperienced hikers.
Track Stats
Distance: 8.4 km each way
Time: ~2 hours each direction for adults (allow more with children)
Elevation: ~100 metres total
Lake Daniell is an ideal introduction to NZ tramping — easy, scenic, sheltered, and with a beautiful reward at the end.
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