45th parallel hike, Cromwell. | New Zealand

It was one of those days when you don’t want to sit at home, but go and do something instead. Most things around Cromwell and Bannocburn were already seen and done, but we found one hike that sounded good enough for a hot and sunny day.

So our fellow travelers and work colleagues (also from Latvia) Sindija and Kārlis were joining us. The hike starts at located close to lake Dunstan near the 45th parallel monument 500m past the Lowburn Inlet on SH 6, Luggate-Cromwell Road. You have to cross the main highway. We followed the track over the stile and up the Sugar Loaf.

45th Parallel hike starts steep, but you are rewarded with fabulous panoramic views on the way up. It was challenging in a hot day like this one, but we made it.

On the flat hilltop there is a bench where to relax and a journal where to leave notes for other hikers.

The view were really nice and it was nice to sit for a while in the light breeze.

And after that the hike goes down. It took us around an hour to get back to our cars and the hike itself is very easy (besides the steps at the beginning :D ).