Fabulous views over Lake Wanaka are a highlight of this walk up Roys Peak. Just expect to be joined by a few hundred others in peak season!
Roys Peak has become a favourite destination for Instagrammers, attracted by the prospect of epic views over Lake Wanaka. The views are really excellent, but as a hike it can be lack lustre, as at least half of it is through unattractive pasture, and it’s along a vehicle trail the whole way. Still, on a clear day it’s worth joining the crowds of walkers making their way either to the summit, or else to that particular spot about two thirds of the way up where you get a picture of yourself or your friend backed by the best bit of Lake Wanaka.
Instagrammers queueing for that famous shot on Roys Peak. A bit sad, but at least they were orderly.
I’ve done this walk three times in ten years, and I’ve seen the car park expand significantly during that time, but there were still people parking well up the road on the day I took these shots. Amongst the walkers are a good portion who have probably never set foot on a mountain before, some who play music out loud (you suck), people dressed in jeans, some wearing coats on the way up in the summer sun, and people carrying babies (respect).
All in all not the experience I look for in my hiking, but if you walk it out of season and maybe get up there early, then you might be able to enjoy the mountain with a few less people. And it was nice to see a variety of people enjoying the great outdoors.
No track notes required, but here’s a link to DOC info. There’s a 1200m height gain, although it’s a very steady ascent on a vehicle track.
On a well graded track the whole way. There are a couple of steeper short cuts close to the summit if you want to mix it up.
Roys Peak Track: The Scenery
Once out of pasture the mountain starts to look quite nice. Boats on Lake Wanaka.
That’s a long and winding road alright, and without much to look at on the way up it can be a bit of a slog. Easy enough walking though. Not hard to take some big panoramas on this walk. This from the summit.
The rather famous view of Lake Wanaka from part way up the mountain.
Sophia arrives at the summit. Mt Aspiring in the background.
Some people on the summit.
There’s a track that continues on from the summit into the backcountry.
Mt Aspiring just tips over 3000m of elevation, and lends its name to the national park.
Sophia descending back down from the summit.
One of a few epic panoramas I took. Hard to know which to include.
Not sure if this succeeds as an artistic shot, but I rather like spear grass so it made the cut.
Sophia stopping to admire the view on the way down. Her hair looks rather mane-like.
Perhaps if you zoom in a bit on the girl on the right you will see that on a failry warm day walking up the mountain she is wearing jeans, a net dress over the jeans, and a coat, plus holding a bag over one shoulder. She looked a bit goth/emo. There were certainly some characters out that you wouldn’t usually see on a mountain.
Occasionally I talk Sophia into posing for a photo.
There’s views all the way down.
The pasture was often full of thistles. Not so fond of this section.
