Roys Peak Track is an excellent 3 hour one-way walk straight up the mountain to the top, it can be pretty hard going. It’s a 5 to 7 hour round trip walk from the car park to the top and back.
I did this walk in the summer time, but if you prefer the stunning views of snow capped mountains, then enjoy the walk in winter, but be prepared, it’s damn cold up there.
The start of Roys Peak Track is only 6 km from Wanaka town. From the summit of Roys Peak, you will get the best ever views of the South Island lakes and Wanaka town, well worth the slog and slightly boring hike to get up there.
If you are hiking in the summer, expect the sun to be beating down on you throughout your trek, so take plenty of sunscreen.
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Yeah, I know it’s early! You should make it to the top for a brilliant Roys Peak sunrise – at least you should get a carpark, and the track is a bit quieter at this time.
Keep reading below for the full walk details with points of interest, photos and more info on Roys Peak Track.
If you don’t have that much time but still want stunning views of mountains and lakes, then do the Rocky Mountain Summit Track instead, it’s only 3 hours return.
The Otago Council upgraded the car park with space for 100 cars. However, it can still get full by 9 am. You should not leave valuables in your car as theft can sometimes be an issue. At the moment the parking is free with a donation, but this may change.
Summer is obviously the best time to walk to the top of Roys Peak, but it can still be a hot slog with no pretty snow capped mountains to take photos of. If you can hack it, go in the winter when there is still snow around.
Although it’s rare for the snow to sit on Roys Peak, the surrounding mountains should still be a delight. The entire trail is completely exposed. In the winter, you should expect some snow along the track and at the top, and even ice in some stretches. Make sure you have good winter gear with you including clampons and an ice axe.
Just a 6km drive out from Wanaka village on a sealed road you’ll find the Roys Peak car park. It’s a sealed car park for 100 cars. Sounds like a lot but it can fill up fast.
When it’s busy during summer, consider walking or cycling to the car park (via the Waterfall Creek Track that links to the Roys Peak Track) it’s better than having to turn around not being able to park. There is no parking on the main road if the car park if full.
Mr Wallis 1887-1965 grave stone. He picked the best spot in the South Island with stunning views over Lake Wanaka. The trail is steep and follows switchbacks until you reach the top.
I thought if I start walking at 9 am it would be very good. But I was meeting people heading back down to the car park before I was even halfway to the top.
One group left at 5.30 am just so they would reach the top before it got too hot. I was amazed at the age of the walkers, 60 years plus, at 57 years I felt quite young, but my legs didn’t. Then when I did manage to crawl to the top, mum and the kids beat me to the best seat on the mountain!
Many will only hike as far as the famous Roys Peak viewpoint, I continued on, right to the very top. The viewpoint is often confused as “Roys Peak”, but this first viewpoint is actually not the top summit. You still need to hike for another 30 minutes to reach the true top of Roys Peak Track.
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