Rocky Mountain-Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka NZ

The Rocky Mountain – Diamond Lake Circuit passes through attractive bush & provides excellent views from the summit (775m) of Lake Wanaka and many high peaks.

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka

The Rocky Mountain – Diamond Lake Circuit is a walk near Wanaka that offers excellent views for only moderate effort. It’s an easier-going alternative to the famous but much longer Roys Peak Track that starts down the road a bit closer to town. The views are less epic, however this is a more attractive walking experience all round, with sections of native bush and other vegetation.

You can do a circuit or figure of eight (I recommend an anti-clockwise circuit) taking in the picturesque Diamond Lake and the summit of Rocky Mountain (775m) for views over Lake Wanaka and towards various high peaks in Mt Aspiring National Park and around the lake.

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Loved these bluffs on Rocky Mountain, no doubt giving the mountain its name. Taken on the drive out. 

Track Notes

It’s a formed track the whole way, and will take maybe 2-3 hours. There’s information on the DOC website, and I took a picture of a map, see below…

Rocky Mountain Circuit, near Wanaka
Track notes: Voila!
Rocky Mountain-Diamond Lake Circuit, near Wanaka
On an obvious track the whole way.
June 2022 edit: notes on walking this route in winter

I should probably now add in here that this route in winter can be very icy, so much so that you may have to walk around large sections of the track altogether. That might require scrambling, and even walking through deep snow.  The views are extra nice however, and I’ve replaced some of my summer pics with a bunch taken in June 2022, especially those taken from the summit. I would have included both seasons but space on my server is limited.

Rocky Mountain-Diamond Lake Circuit: The Scenery

I’ve included shots from summer and winter 2022 below…

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Diamond Lake
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Lots of nice native bush on this walk.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Diamond Lake from a lookout near the start of the walk. (This was frozen in winter).

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka

Some shots from winter…

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
A Lake Wanaka pano as we approached the summit. I took another one from the summit which I’ve also posted.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Sophia and me on the summit of Rocky Mountain (775m). Photo taken by the only other walker who navigated the ice and snow to make the summit that afternoon.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Looking up Lake Wanaka from the summit.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Lake Wanaka
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
I took many pictures of this view on both recent visits.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
A panorama roughly west.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
A panorama of Lake Wanaka from the summit of Rocky Mountain (775m).

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka

Back to summer shots…

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Heading back down.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
I liked all the lumpy topography and patchwork of clouds in this shot.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Sophia looking up at Mt Aspiring.
Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka
Mt Aspiring in winter.

Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka Rocky Mountain - Diamond Lake Circuit, Wanaka

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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