A Guide To Lake Sylvester in the Cobb Valley

Lake Sylvester is located in an alpine basin above the Cobb Reservoir in the Kahurangi National Park. It’s perfect for a day walk or overnight hike. The track is enjoyable and the views are even better. In this guide we give you all the details you need to know before walking the Lake Sylvester track.

Cobb Reservoir on the way to the start of the Lake Sylvester track.

To bring in the new year and say goodbye to the crazy year that was 2020, we decided we wanted to do something a little quieter than usual. Although we’d just spent plenty of 2020 social distancing and in isolation we wanted some space and quiet time to reflect on the year that had just passed. We were in the Tasman region having just finished up our stint working on a hop farm and knew that majority of the area would be bustling with it’s usual influx of holidaying locals. So we looked at Google Maps and picked a location off the beaten track that we’d never heard of or been to before. Now we don’t usually travel in this way, we generally have a clear idea of our destination but this place definitely proved we need do leave way more space in our schedule for spontaneity. The Cobb Valley was incredible and is now one of our favourite places in the South Island.

We wanted to go for a walk that wasn’t to difficult but got us out in nature for a couple of hours and this is how we stumbled across the Sylvester Lake Track.

Where is Lake Sylvester?

The Lake Sylvester track is found in the Kahurangi National Park in New Zealand’s South Island. Tucked away in the super beautiful Cobb Valley. A part of the country that doesn’t seem to be on many peoples radars. We saw a total of 8 other humans on our walk and overnight stay in The Cobb over New Years!

How to find the Lake Sylvester Track.

So here is where we need to be honest with you guys and say how much of a mission it is to actually get here! The road is definitely one of the worst we’ve driven in New Zealand, although if you’re in a capable 4wd you’ll have no problems! We were bumping around the dirt road at 50kph for about 45 minutes in our not so capable 4wd Townace LOL! Although you don’t need a 4wd vehicle it’s highly recommended in winter time as the road does get icy! The track starts on the Cobb Dam Road past the Cobb Resevior out of Upper Takaka. Enjoy the journey as this one will take a while - it’s so worth it though!

Sylvester Lake Track.

We absolutely loved this walk and hiking to Lake Sylvester has got to be one of the best things to do in the Cobb Valley! The track is a 10km return walk that should take you about 4 hours. Allow for 5 or longer so you have time to sit and enjoy a bite to eat at the lake. You will weave through beech forest at a slight incline for about an hour or so before the track levels out and you start to approach the open tussocklands. When you’re out of the forest you should spot the Sylvester Hut. Only another 10 minutes or so to the hut and then an extra 20 minutes further to the lake! The track is well maintained and during the warmer seasons a pair of trainers would be sufficient to get you up there. In winter we’d recommend hiking in boots!

Where to stay in the Cobb Valley?

As mentioned earlier, there is a hut along the track called Sylvester Hut which sleeps up to 12 people. It is a serviced hut and doesn’t take bookings (first come first served). You will need to have a hut pass. To find out where your closest hut ticket retailer is visit here.

Alternatively, if you’re travelling in a self contained campervan and have the Wikicamps or Campermate app, there a plenty of free camps along the Cobb Dam Road.

Some things to remember.

There is no service past the Cobb Dam at all.

The view overlooking the Cobb Resevior is especially nice for a sunrise or sunset for those into photography.

Closest fuel and food stop is Takaka.

Make sure to pack insect Repellant for sandflies.