Wanaka Walks and Hiking

Here's a list of my walks in Wanaka in the summer and winter. I love Wanaka, it's an awesome place to go hiking.

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Here’s my pick of the best walks & hiking tracks in Wanaka

My favourite walks would be around Lake Wanaka on the Waterfall Creek track or up Mt Iron for easy fitness.

I haven’t managed to hike up Roys Peak yet, but Garry has and the hard slog to get to the summit was well worth it especially on a sunny day. I really enjoyed the 10 km very scenic walk to Glendhu Bay which runs right beside Lake Wanaka for fabulous views.

Walking in Wanaka

We’re really lucky to have friends in Wanaka we can stay with. My friend and I often walk her dogs on the Waterfall Creek Walk and stop off at Edgewater hotel for fresh scones and coffee. Or we’ll go on the Slaughthouse Creek walk as far as the 3rd lookout point, do some bench presses, give the dogs a rest then double back. Excellent start to the day! Scroll down the page a bit to see all my walks in Wanaka.

Biking in Wanaka

If we’ve got the bikes with us we’ll often bike around Lake Wanaka to Waterfall Creek on the easy wide track. From there the trail turns into the Slaughterhouse Creek walk, this is much harder on the bikes as the track is quite rocky in parts and can be steep.

Or we’ll bike around the lakefront the other way right round to the Clutha River and cut back through town. You can hire an e-bike or large electric mountain bike and collect it from Wanaka town. This would be excellent for the Glendhu Bay Track.

Walk Mou Waho Island to the hidden lake

Mou Waho Island, located in Lake Wanaka, is a treasure trove for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike. This 120-hectare Department of Conservation reserve has lots of native New Zealand birds, including the iconic and inquisitive Weka.

Take a short, easy 30-minute walk on well-maintained tracks that guide you to the island’s highest point, Tyrwhitt Peak. At 380 meters above sea level, the peak offers jaw-dropping panoramic views that unfold like a breathtaking postcard.

You can get a water taxi from Wanaka town and spend 1.5 hours exploring and walking on the island. It also contains a hidden lake.