Often the highlight of a great trip in the hills, backcountry lakes provide idyllic camping spots, bracing dips and scenery second to none. We take you to 15 of the very best.
1. Heart of darkness: Hidden Lake, Oteake Conservation Park
Although Oteake Conservation Park is characterised by very high, bleak slopes and large and dry alpine basins, there are some remarkable features here including numerous alpine lakes. The largest of these is also the most accessible; Hidden Lake (not named on maps) at 1553m on the northern end of the St Bathans Range. This deep, dark lake is ringed with bluffs on its northern edge and littered with large striking boulders. Campsites are few and far between, but the setting is beautiful and offers great photography. The St Bathans Range is easily climbed and can be traversed southwards for many kilometres. - Pat Barrett Access Broken Hut Road, south of Omarama to DOC boundary Grade Moderate Time 5hr. 2. Cratered lakes: Tama lakes, Tongariro National Park [caption id="attachment_396" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]

4. Cool off: Hellfire Tarn, Leatham Conservation Area
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8. Room With a View: Maungahuka Tarn, Tararua Forest Park, Wellington
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9. Lonely Lake: Lake Colenso, Ruahine Forest Park, Rangitikei
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