There’s no higher place in New Zealand than Wanaka. There I stated it, and I’m not taking it again.
Sure Milford is beautiful, Queenstown can maintain its personal, however there’s one thing so idyllic about Wanaka’s small-city allure and immediate entry to epic peaks.
It’s in contrast to anyplace in New Zealand, and much too typically it’s seen by vacationers solely in passing, because the shortly rush from Fox Glacier to Queenstown. I know that driving down the West Coast could be an awesome expertise. The abundance of actions could make it exhausting to determine on the place to go and the place to spend your valuable trip time.
One of one of the best methods to have adventures right here is to absorb a number of the well-known day hikes in Wanaka.
In an ideal world, you possibly can spend months and see all of it, however most of us don’t have that luxurious, so should you’re in search of a cause to remain a couple of days in Wanaka, let me assist persuade you.
Wanaka is the right place for hikers. There are hikes for actually each capacity inside a brief drive, all of which just about have epic views in Wanaka.
Here are my prime suggestions for day hikes in Wanaka which might be a 30-minute drive or much less from the Wanaka metropolis middle. Here we go!
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M. Roy’s Peak Track
We’ve acquired to cowl it, so let’s do it and get it out of the best way. Roy’s Peak. The well-known peak. The mountaintop each hiker goals of summiting once they come to New Zealand. I’m not going to fake I’m higher than Roy’s Peak as a result of, a few years in the past, when I too was a large-eyed vacationer able to tackle the world, I additionally dreamed of attending to this mysterious, different-worldly place.
Tacking one in every of these day hikes in Wanaka was primary on my South Island to-do listing.
If this sounds such as you, let’s clear the air. You ought to one hundred% do it, however earlier than you lace up your boots and get strolling, let’s get your expectations right down to actuality.
The view from Roy’s Peak is unreal. There’s no query about it. The well-known photograph spot is *truly* about P/A of the best way up the height, not on the prime, and the view is actually image good.
Well, the extra well-known photograph spot is Coromandel Peak, which is additional alongside the ridge is accessed by helicopter.
The method the bays jut out and in of the turquoise water, the impeccably positioned islands, the main line of the path culminating in what seems like a sheer drop off (spoiler, it’s not). Composition-sensible, it really does make for a powerful photograph.
Now that we acquired that out the best way let’s get right down to the truth of the hike, beginning with the parking. This peak has develop into so common that the parking zone typically full by mid-morning. If you’re doing this hike, contemplate hitching or automotive-sharing to the trailhead. The stroll itself is lengthy and tedious.
It follows a 4WD monitor that slowly snakes forwards and backwards for hours earlier than reaching the summit. There is not any shade on the path so, on a busy day, you want a sunhat and plenty of sunscreen. There can also be no water on the monitor. Because there are not any timber, the views you get one hundred meters up are primarily the identical views you’ll see on the prime, so there isn’t any grand reveal.
Finally, the monitor is hella busy. You can be sharing the path with a whole lot of others, and if you wish to get to that candy, candy photograph spot, be ready to attend in an precise line. On a mountain. In nature. Ugh. A higher various can be to do the Skyline monitor, which fits from Cardrona Valley to Roy’s Peak. At the very least, you must attempt to get to Mt. Alpha from Roy’s, which is a enjoyable monitor and fewer busy.
Anyway, the height is superb, and if this hike is your New Zealand pilgrimage, go on and do it. Get it out of the best way, then transfer on to some a lot better walks.
5 of the best day hikes in New Zealand you can’t miss
P. Isthmus Peak Track
As tourism will increase for Roy’s Peak, close by Isthmus Peak has grow to be the default for many who need comparable views with half the chaos for these on the lookout for epic day hikes in Wanaka. This was a quiet little monitor, however its booming reputation means it faces most of the similar issues that Roy’s faces. The parking zone can match perhaps max 20 automobiles, and parking on the slender, winding, and the busy street may be harmful.
The monitor is marginally extra fascinating as you get totally different views relying on what a part of the path you’re on.
It’s barely much less busy, and there’s no one designated cash shot, so no less than you gained’t have to face in a line.
Once you get to the highest of Isthmus Peak, you may be rewarded with the uncommon view of each Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka and the particular place referred to as “the neck” the place they virtually contact. Fun reality, an Isthmus is a slender piece of land with water on both aspect.
You can proceed on to Mt. Burke in the event you’re actually eager however no that there isn’t any public entry right down to the street from there, so for those who stroll the ridge, you’ll have to return again to Isthmus Peak to get down.
All in all, this a terrific various to a simple hike with beautiful views.
A. Grandview Mountain Track
With an identical grade to Roy’s Peak and Isthmus, the Grandview mountain track is one other wonderful choice for day hikes in Wanaka.
The monitor, whereas steep, just isn’t technical in any respect, so so long as you’ve gotten some robust legs and little bit of willpower, this hike ought to be no drawback. The hike begins in Hawea, a 15-minute drive from Wanaka.
For probably the most half, the path is vast and often not too busy, so when you’re trying to escape the crowds, this could possibly be a very good choice.
You’ll begin the hike going up the valley, which could require hopping over a couple of streams. You’ll stroll alongside a properly-outlined monitor by means of the quintessential Otago tussock land. After 9km of strolling, you’ll get to the Grandview summit the place you may be rewarded with — ahem — grand views.
You’ll have 360 levels panoramic views of Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, surrounding peaks, and should you’re fortunate, you possibly can even see Mt. Aspiring /Tititea’s summit on the horizon.
If you need a massive day, you possibly can proceed the tracks and comply with alongside throughout the ridge-line over to Breast Hill, however it’s a great distance, so that you’ll have to be positive you could have loads of time and meals & water to get the job executed.
A. Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Track
For these in search of a shorter, half-day hike, Diamond Lake is certain to impress.
You can discover this trailhead by heading up the Matukituki Valley. Diamond Lake is a well-liked spot and is an attractive wee lake for these simply wanting a brief 15-minute stroll. For these wanting a little bit of elevation, proceed on the path previous the lake and begin heading up Rocky Mountain.
Rocky Mountain and Diamond Lake are incredible day hikes in Wanaka.
The monitor previous Diamond Lake in the direction of Rocky Mountain is steep and sometimes moist or, in wintry circumstances, icy.
You’ll need some good grippy footwear for this one within the wintertime when you can entry it in any respect! You’ll proceed to climb till you get to an indication that factors you on the east monitor or the west monitor, permitting you to do that hike in a loop. Both tracks are about the identical, though the east will get much less solar so it may be wetter or icier underfoot.
Nevertheless, the path is comparatively straightforward and easy, and after an hour or so, you’ll be standing on prime of Rocky Mountain, wanting down on Wanaka under.
H. The Motatapu Valley
Unfortunately, we don’t have numerous forest in Wanaka because it was cleared for farming a century in the past. A lot of our mountains are naked, which means there’s not a lot shade cowl, and your hike might be going to look the identical whether or not you’re within the valley or on the height.
The Motatapu area is a uncommon gem the place you get a little bit of variation within the terrain with a brief, however lovely, stint by way of a magical fairy forest. It’s a part of the land owned by Mahu Whenua, an unimaginable luxurious lodge.
The essential hike on the Motatapu Track begins by Glendhu Bay. You’ll see the indicators for the Motatapu monitor. This hike is a component of a bigger hike that takes you from Wanaka to Arrowtown over three days.
But for these in search of only a day stroll, this hike nonetheless supplies an incredible journey to the Fern Burn hut and again.
You’ll begin by strolling by means of farmlands for 3km or so earlier than you enter the forest. You’ll comply with a shocking little stream up the valley earlier than crossing a bridge and proceed up and out of the woods. Once you’re out, you’ll sidle alongside the tussock-coated hills on a nicely-maintained monitor for an additional hour or two earlier than arriving at Fern Burn hut.
This is a superb benchmark to get to for the day and a very good lunch spot.
If you’ve received the time and power, you possibly can proceed on a bit additional to on the monitor and perhaps even attain Jack’s Saddle. Where ever you are feeling snug, flip round and return the best way you got here.
S. Corner Peak by way of the Timaru River Track
If you’ve pushed down the West Coast into Wanaka, you possible keep in mind the second you turned on the freeway from Lake Wanaka, went over slightly hill, after which BAM — proper in entrance of you was one other beautiful lake with a most spectacular peak towering above.
This outstanding peak that welcomes you to Hawea known as Corner Peak, and it’s an actual magnificence.
Corner Peak goes to be more durable than any of the hikes, as talked about earlier, however it’s nicely value it.
The trailhead begins in Timaru Creek, a 30-minute drive from Wanaka. This monitor doesn’t fiddle, and from the get-go, your calves shall be on hearth. Fight by means of the ache; it’s value it.
The monitor climbs relentlessly for a number of hours earlier than beginning to sidle alongside the tops. You’ll get to some extent the place you assume you’re shut, and you then’ll take a look at the ridge and see how far you’ve got left to go. Don’t let that discourage you. It’s nearer than it appears! Keep trudging on. While the monitor is pretty apparent, many individuals get lead astray by making an attempt to comply with the precise ridge to the summit. The path truly sidles alongside the bottom of the height, and for those who determine to comply with the ridge, you’ll probably find yourself on unfastened rock scrambling precariously.
The views from the highest are really unreal. You get a uncommon peek into the Hunter Valley, and you may see all alongside Lake Hawea in addition to over to Dingle Peak and towards the Ahuriri. Your legs are going to be drained, however you gained’t be sorry. Follow the monitor again down the best way you got here to get again to the automotive.
S. Breast Hill Track
Breast Hill is my favourite hike within the Wanaka space, arms down.
Part of the Te Araroa path that covers the size of New Zealand, Breast Hill has every part I’m in search of in an area mountain: proximity to residence, diversified terrain, a bit extra technical than merely strolling, beautiful views immediately. It’s merely distinctive.
The hike begins simply outdoors of Lake Hawea, and as you drive to the parking zone, you’ll doubtless spot the steep switchbacks up by means of the scrub and make no mistake, the switchbacks are STEEP. As your calves burn and also you suck air making an attempt to rise up the switchbacks, keep in mind after half-hour of so, the switchbacks will finish, and it’ll get barely extra relaxed.
From there, you comply with up the rocks and alongside the ridge. The path may be scrambly at occasions, so you might want to make use of your palms to climb up or stabilize your self. Keep principally to the ridge till you get to an indication for Pakituhi Hut. This is a superb hut to remain in if you would like an in a single day hut, in any other case, flip left and head up the mountain. The path is clear, and it gained’t take you lengthy to get to the true summit.
I love this space as a result of the choices are really countless. From the highest of Breast Hill, you’ll be able to join it down into Timaru Creek (a 30km+ day, however doable), head over into the Ahuriri Valley (in a single day) or recover from and down Grandview Mountain (one other huge day however nonetheless potential.)
The views from the highest are just like Corner and Grandview: sweeping vistas of the encompassing ranges, good views of Lake Hawea and the township, and even slightly peek over into Aspiring Mountain if the climate is obvious. Honestly, this can be a should-do on the day hikes in Wanaka.
H. Sawyer Burn Track
At the highest of Lake Hawea, you’ll discover this little gem on the Kidds Bush Campsite.
It’s not a very lengthy or onerous stroll, nevertheless it’s nice for a day. Park on the campground and comply with the indicators for Sawyer Burn Hut. You’ll climb up steeply by way of the forest getting little glimpses of Lake Hawea under and Corner Peak over the east. After an hour or so, you’ll be out of the bush, and also you’ll have epic views to soak in.
You’ll get to some extent the place the Sawyer Burn track veers proper, avoiding the apparent ridge in entrance of you. Follow the monitor and traverse alongside the mountainside for some time longer earlier than attending to Sawyer Burn Hut.
This hut, in all honesty, is in fairly dangerous form, so when you wouldn’t need to spend the night time there, it’s an excellent spot to get to for a day stroll earlier than turning again and going the best way you got here.
N. Meg Hut
There’s one thing so subtly beautiful concerning the Pisa Ranges.
Sure, the mountains are as dramatic and intense wanting as a few of the different rangers, however the Pisas definitely have their allure. While nonetheless tall mountains, the peaks of the Pisas are extra rounded and coated in tussocks, making them seem like alien land formations from afar.
There are loads of tracks to maintain you busy within the Pisas, and due to their mild nature, you possibly can discover the world for so long as you need in a single go. My favourite day mission is a peaceable, mild stroll to Meg Hut.
This can also be an distinctive hut to remain in in the event you’re in search of an in a single day mission, nevertheless it works nice as a day stroll too.
You can entry the trailhead by driving to Cardrona and turning into the Snow Farm street. You’ll see indicators for the monitor (don’t go up the snow farm street!) the place you’ll be able to park your automotive and begin strolling. The monitor is all clean 4WD roads, so whereas it may be steep at occasions, it ought to be a a lot gentler stroll than a few of the others on the listing.
After a number of hours, you’ll hit Meg Hut, which is nestled into somewhat valley subsequent to a stream.
You can proceed if you need over to Deep Creek Hut and out over to Cromwell, or flip round and return the best way you got here. It gained’t have the epic lake views like Roy’s Peak, however the lack of crowds and the sound of the tussocks blowing within the wind are properly well worth the journey!
Finally, among the best day hikes in Wanaka, the Rob Roy Glacier track, sadly, is out of fee as of January 2020 – there was a dodgy slip (landslide) on the monitor worsened by some wild storms making the monitor too unstable to make use of. Fingers crossed DOC will get it again up and operating quickly – be sure you pop into the native workplace to verify the standing of those trails and the climate earlier than venturing out.
Besides that, there are such a lot of implausible day hikes within the Wanaka space past the extra nicely-recognized ones. Be positive to examine them out in your subsequent journey in New Zealand.
What are your favourite day hikes in Wanaka? Have any extra to share? Spill.
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