Wanaka is known for its gorgeous lake and amazing hikes. With views of Mount Aspiring and the surrounding mountains, it is absolutely a great place to go hiking. These are my top five favorite day hikes in Wanaka:
1. Roy’s Peak
Yes, I know this hike is extremely hyped up (and everyone seems to have that perfect Roy’s Peak Instagram shot), but really, this hike is amazing. It is worth battling the crowds to experience. It is not the easiest hike, so you need to be prepared for the effort of it. It is 8km (5mi) each way with 1,300m (4,265ft) of elevation gain, so you will be climbing up the entire time. However, the trail is extremely wide and easy to follow. The gradient is not too bad. None of the sections are significantly steeper than others, so it is more of a steady climb than a steep climb. The views are so worth the effort though.
Pro Tip:
There will probably be a huge line at the first viewpoint (the Instagram point) for everyone waiting to take their perfect picture. Skip this entirely and keep climbing up to the second viewpoint (almost no one there and even better views in my opinion). It is definitely worth climbing all the way to the summit as the views are absolutely magnificent from there and most of the crowds stop at the first viewpoint.
2. Isthmus Peak
If crowds aren’t your thing, or if you simply want another amazing view of the lake from a different angle, check out Isthmus Peak. The distance is quite similar to Roy’s Peak (8km each way) but with a little less elevation gain (1,133m or 3,700 ft). However, the trail isn’t as predictable so some sections are flat while some climb up quite steeply. It makes for a bit more challenging a hike than Roy’s Peak in my opinion, but still quite comparable. The best part is that you probably won’t have nearly as many people on the trail! I’ve done this hike twice, and both times saw no more than 30 or so other people on the trail (as opposed to the several hundred people at Roy’s Peak).
The views are awesome from here as well. I had the “sea of clouds” effect over Lake Wanaka both times, but it is still gorgeous seeing the peaks bursting out of the cloud layer. I like that you get views of Lake Hawea during the climb up to Isthmus Peak, and a view over both lakes at the top.
3. Rocky Mountain/Diamond Lake
If you’re looking for great views over Lake Wanaka but only have half a day for a hike, I’d strongly recommend Rocky Mountain. I like that there are a variety of points you can stop at if you only want to do part of the trail. The first is the hike to Diamond Lake, which is a pretty little dark blue lake and a very easy hike to reach. From there, you can climb further up the trail to an overlook deck over the lake.
If you choose to go on from here, you’ll continue to follow the path up. At one point, it will split into the option of a west route to the summit, an east route, or a path to the Lake Wanaka Lookout. The Lake Wanaka Lookout provides a nice view of the lake and is a good option if you want a nice hike but not overly strenuous.
If you’re looking for more of a medium difficulty hike, head on up to the summit. You can take the east trail, the west trail, or make a loop. The east trail is a bit steeper and a bit less maintained than the west trail. Personally, I like to go up the east trail and down the west (only because my knees are happier climbing up than down) but it is really up to personal preference. Expect the trail to be muddy and rocky in stretches (this isn’t a Great Walk trail) but it is not particularly strenuous.
The views from the summit are absolutely breath-taking. At 775m (2,500ft), it is smaller than Roy’s Peak or Isthmus, but it has an amazing 360-degree view of the lake, the surrounding countryside, and Mount Aspiring National Park.
4. Iron Hill
Iron Hill is certainly the most accessible hike on this list. The trail starts in Wanaka itself and climbs 250m (820ft) to an overlook of Wanaka town and the lake. I love that the trail makes a loop, so you can decide which direction to climb up and which to climb down. It is perfect as a half-day or rest day hike while you’re in Wanaka, and the views really make it worth the effort to climb.
5. Aspiring Hut
If you’re looking for a stunning hike but without steep climbs, you might consider a day trip (or overnight) to Aspiring Hut in Mount Aspiring National Park. The 30km gravel road to access the park is a barrier to entry, but once you manage that part, you are in one of the most beautiful national parks in New Zealand (and that’s saying a lot!). The trail to Aspiring Hut passes through the Motutuki Valley, a gorgeous green valley surrounded by incredible mountain peaks. The trail to the hut is quite easy and mostly flat, but the scenery on the way is just jaw-dropping. I’d highly recommend a visit to the national park. You can choose to take a day-trip to the park, stay overnight at Aspiring Hut, or continue on to one of the other huts in the park (though be warned, the other huts are much more difficult hikes to access – but definitely worth the pain!).
Most of the hikes are not in Wanaka itself, so you’ll need to drive, book a shuttle, or hitchhike to get to them.
Roy’s Peak: The trailhead is 6km (about 10 minutes driving) outside of Wanaka on the road towards Mount Aspiring NP. There are frequent shuttles that pick up at the hostels.
Isthmus Peak: The trailhead is 28km outside of Wanaka on the peninsula called The Neck. This area is a little harder to get to if you don’t have a car, but you can inquire at your hostel about arranging a shuttle.
Rocky Mountain/Diamond Lake: The trailhead is 19km outside of Wanaka on the road towards Mount Aspiring NP.
Iron Hill: The trailhead is 2km from the center of Wanaka, so you can walk to the trail or drive to the car park.
Mount Aspiring Hut: The trailhead is accessed from the Raspberry Flat Car Park in the national park, which is located 53 km from Wanaka (30km of which is a gravel road with some ford crossings – water level depends on the season). You can book a bus to get to the park but these are private tour companies and can be quite expensive.
- Make sure you know your level before choosing a hike. Roy’s Peak and Isthmus Peak are both amazing, but they are quite difficult hikes with a lot of elevation gain. Know what you’re getting into and make sure you’re up to the challenge before attempting them.
- Wear plenty of sunscreen! It is true that New Zealand sun is especially strong, so it is very easy to get burned. Be sure to reapply often.
- At Roy’s Peak, be sure to continue to the summit. The views are even better than at the first viewpoint, and the crowds are less.
