Roys Peak

Mountain peak · Wanaka

Roys Peak

Mountain peak · Wanaka

Wānaka 9382, New Zealand

Highlights

At 5,177 feet, Roy's Peak offers a stunning hike through tussock grasslands, rewarding you with breathtaking 360-degree views of Lake Wanaka.

Wānaka 9382, New Zealand Get directions

@afar

"Hiking Roy's Peak in Wanaka The guidebooks say this is a difficult trek but well worth it. After a huffing and puffing trek to the top of Roy’s Peak, I would most certainly like to concur. 11k in approximately 4-5 hours, a decent level of fitness is most needed for this mission of a hike. Extra bonus if you have the ability to jump over and around sheep poo. Providing unyielding views of Lake Wanaka and the countless mountain peaks surrounding it, this hike takes you up along the mountainside through private land (hence all the sheep) and to the top of Roy’s Peak, a spot with 360 degree views of Wanaka and beyond. Be sure to check weather conditions and bring extra layers of clothing as it can get quite chilly at the top. The car park is just off of Mt. Aspiring road. There’s no restroom here, so be sure to take care of business beforehand."

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@cntraveler

"Roy's Peak in Wanaka, New Zealand, has become an iconic Instagram spot, leading to overcrowding with lines up to two hours long for photos. The area, which was previously less visited, now sees close to 100,000 hikers a year. The influx of visitors camping without proper facilities has created environmental and logistical issues."

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Daniel Miguel

Google

We did this in April and got there for sunrise and it was well worth it! We walked from Wanaka to Roys peak along the road which took about an hour. Up the mountain took about 2 hours 10 minutes to the lookout, where we stopped for sunrise, and then another 20-30 minutes to the summit. When you're walking you get very hot but once you stop at the top, you quickly cool down, especially your hands so gloves are a benefit! in terms of busyness, at sunrise there were about 20 people at the look out and probably another 10-20 people at the summit. But coming down, there were loads of people going up so earlier is better! Going up in the dark, most people had torches but I personally could see better without. Make sure you bring warm clothes that are easily compacted and plenty of water. I'd highly recommend going up for sunrise to get the cool sunrise views and avoid the busyness of later in the day! Enjoy!

Junhua Chen

Google

Hiking Roys Peak was an unforgettable experience! The views from the top are absolutely stunning, offering panoramic vistas of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. The hike is tough and challenging, especially near the top, but every step is worth it once you reach the summit. It’s a tough climb, but the sense of achievement and the breathtaking scenery make it all worthwhile.

Irfan P

Google

Roys Peak is a famous hiking destination near Wanaka, New Zealand, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, and the surrounding Southern Alps. The hike is about 16 km (10 miles) round trip, with a steep ascent of over 1,200 meters. The well-maintained trail takes around 5 to 7 hours to complete. The summit is a popular photography spot, especially at sunrise. A small entry fee applies during the lambing season (October-November) as the track crosses private farmland. Hikers should carry enough water, wear sturdy shoes, and check weather conditions before starting.

Janice Bae

Google

What a hike! It's very challenging and will really push you unless you're extremely experienced with long hikes with steep incline. But when you make it to the top, you feel so accomplished looking at how much elevation you've covered and being rewarded with such an amazingly beautiful view. I definitely recommend coming prepared with plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, layers to wear at the top where it's much chillier, and a water-proof layer. Temperature changes quite a bit as you get higher up and you'll likely need an extra layer on the way down (whereas you'll be sweating and wanting to shed layers on the way up). There may be snow at the summit, but you likely won't need crampons. I also don't think going to the summit is necessary since the view isn't that different from the view point. Overall while the hike itself may require a lot of patience and perseverance, I highly recommend it for anyone up for a challenging but rewarding experience.

Phil Thomas

Google

Stunning view at sunrise but KEEP GOING to the very top where I would argue the view is even better than the Instagram viewpoint. Took me 2hrs to get to the viewpoint, reasonably tough walk uphill but nothing atrocious and made it 30 mins before sunrise. From the viewpoint carry on and you’ll pretty much have the hill to yourself.

Neo Xplores

Google

A great muddy trail ( if there was rain) Lots of amazing views. Snow at the top. Recommend microspikes. Most people don't wear them. Great views!

Rosie L

Google

A tough hike but worth it for the views. Not possible to trail run up but great fun on the way down as long as your knees are in good shape!

Michal Gorgol

Google

Went on a perfect day which helped it being a perfect hike. This is a very nice track which is fairly physically demanding - it is quite steep and completely exposed; bring sunscreen/raincoat and a lot of water (~2 litres). The view from the top might be the very best one I have ever seen in my life. Be prepared that the track is pretty much also busy, so you might wait for a parking spot for a while. The track fee is $2 (paid via honesty box).