Marios Gavalas
Lake Wanaka
Marios Gavalas
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
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7 km return | 3 hours return to Rocky Mountain Summit
Classic NZ!
A grunt up Rocky Mountain (775m) is greeted with superlative views over Lake Wanaka and to the highest peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park, including Mount Aspiring/Tititea.
Careful in winter. Best only attempt Rocky Mountain when it hasn't been frosty. Otherwise just do the lake circuit or up to Diamond Lake Lookout.
From Wanaka, follow Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road 18.5 km to the signposted parking bay.
There’s a network of tracks here including Diamond Lake Circuit (2.5km 45 minutes return), Diamond Lake Lookout (2 km 1 hour return) and Lake Wanaka Lookout (5km 2 hours return). This track incorporates all the others and includes the best lookout of all at Rocky Mountain.
There is a map of the track network at the stile entering the reserve.
Skirt the edge of Diamond Lake and start the climb over the copious structures to the platform above Diamond Lake. You can see why the lake was named as such. Continue climbing past rock bluffs, scramble over some slippery sections in groves of scrub and then exit onto the grassy tops between schist outcrops.
Rocky Mountain Summit is reward and one of the finest view points around, especially considering its relatively low altitude. The descent continues past the short detour to Lake Wanaka Lookout and arrives back at Diamond Lake. Continue around the lake back to the parking area (with toilets).
The entire area around Mount Aspiring National Park and Lake Wanaka underwent glaciation over several periods during the last 2 million years. Each successive penetration by the glacial advances obliterated what had gone before.
During the last Pleistocene, with it’s maximum around 17,000 year ago, glaciers descended the Matukituki Valley and met with others at Lake Wanaka, excavating deep valleys. Advances carved the inclined beds of the schist rock.
One notable feature is known as a roche moutonee - or rock sheep. An outcrop of resistant rock has the effect of slowing a glacier in its tracks, arresting its flow and diminishing its erosive powers. An attenuated slope results. Conversely on the downstream side, an acceleration increases its erosive power, giving a steeper slope. Observed from a side view, the shape resembles a sheep - at least it did to French geologists who first described these features.
Rocky Mountain is one of these roche moutonees. Mount Iron in Wanaka is another.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC OtagoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Walking track Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Incredible walk near Wanaka Lake.
Three hour walk.
Very nice moderate track.
Lovely walk almost like a proper footpath!
A lot of beautiful views along the track.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 18 |
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34% |
9/10 | 15 |
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28% |
8/10 | 16 |
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30% |
7/10 | 1 |
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2% |
6/10 | 3 |
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6% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
For me it was the best walk around Wanaka (including Roys Peak Track which is so famous) altough this walk was short.
View 360° on the top is phenomenal !!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Fantastic views and heaps less busy than the main Wanaka hike.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.5/5
Very nice moderate track.
Amazing view at the top over the diamond lake and mountains, worth it.
We did it because there was no space at the car parking at Roys Peak Track. Very good alternative!
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Three hour walk return along the Diamond Lake up to the forestry hills of the Rocky Mountain.
Amazing 360 degree view from the Summit. Make sure to take the western route up so not to spoil the view in advance.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Steep climb at times - fantastic views of Wanaka lake.
Eastern path goes along a cliff edge at times. Easier descent on the Western Path.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Really nice 3.5 hours walk to the top of the mountain.
Track gets fairly steep towards the end. The track along the east side is nicely manicured, whereas the one along the west is more rugged. The top is pretty exposed and can get windy.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.0/5
Lovely walk almost like a proper footpath!
Up to the rocky mountain for lovely views. A great walk!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
A lot of beautiful views along the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
3.0/5
View over the mountains is worth the walk but the lake itself is not for swimming and not very nice.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Spectacular view of Lake Wanaka!
If you are around it is a must do (in non rainy weather conditions). Some parts quite steep and a little muddy, so do not go in flip flops.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Nice view of the Lake Wanaka - sheep!
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016
5.0/5
For me it was the best walk around Wanaka (including Roys Peak Track which is so famous) altough this walk was short.
View 360° on the top is phenomenal !!
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Fantastic views and heaps less busy than the main Wanaka hike.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.5/5
Very nice moderate track.
Amazing view at the top over the diamond lake and mountains, worth it.
We did it because there was no space at the car parking at Roys Peak Track. Very good alternative!
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Three hour walk return along the Diamond Lake up to the forestry hills of the Rocky Mountain.
Amazing 360 degree view from the Summit. Make sure to take the western route up so not to spoil the view in advance.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Steep climb at times - fantastic views of Wanaka lake.
Eastern path goes along a cliff edge at times. Easier descent on the Western Path.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Lovely walk almost like a proper footpath!
Up to the rocky mountain for lovely views. A great walk!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
A lot of beautiful views along the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Really nice 3.5 hours walk to the top of the mountain.
Track gets fairly steep towards the end. The track along the east side is nicely manicured, whereas the one along the west is more rugged. The top is pretty exposed and can get windy.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
3.0/5
View over the mountains is worth the walk but the lake itself is not for swimming and not very nice.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Spectacular view of Lake Wanaka!
If you are around it is a must do (in non rainy weather conditions). Some parts quite steep and a little muddy, so do not go in flip flops.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Nice view of the Lake Wanaka - sheep!
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016
4.5/5
Great walk up to the Summit where you have a 360 degree view around.
Quite diverse track/hike. Really worth it! Bring plenty of water and sunscreen on a sunny day. Can be a bit slippery on rainy days, western track is easier.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Three hour walk.
Be prepared to climb. Take the eastern track which is easier. Awesome view from the top.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Beautiful three hour walk.
The eastern track is the easiest way to go up. The views from the top is amazing!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Short but a very nice evening hike.
Beautiful place to watch the sun go down.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
2 to 3 hours to get to the top, not too hard and a beautiful view on top over Lake Wanaka.
Great track!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
One of the best hikes of my life.
So much diversity, stunning views.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.5/5
Lovely views and viewing platform to see the scenery below.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Incredible walk near Wanaka Lake.
Not too difficult and an amazing 360 degree view from the summit. It is great to stay at the top and enjoy for a while.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in December 2015
4.0/5
Nice track with variation in steepness.Took us 3 hrs including lookout and rest time to do the Rocky Mountains track.
Be careful when it is wet though. Especially around the top the track needs some maintenance. We thought the view was worth the climb. We took westbound up. In hindsight a good thing as there is a very rocky part that we wouldn't have wanted to come across when getting down.
Reviewed about 9 years ago
5.0/5
Three hours return, very rewarding summit at the end; lot of change regarding steepness, terrain, view and surroundings.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in November 2014
4.0/5
Nice, windy, good information at i-Site, you need warm clothes.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014
4.0/5
Beautiful walk with up and down - good view at the summit.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
Beautiful loop with a great view of Wanaka Lake and Mount Aspiring.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Like all DOC experiences, absolutely free.
Well maintained trails and infrastructure (stairs, lookouts, railings etc) and terrific views reward a steep climb on a 2 hour walk.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.5/5
Top walk for familiies with kids.
Awesome views and interesting track to keep kids motivated. Loop took us about 4 hours with a break.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.5/5
Beautiful views!
Was a 3 hour trek, but at the end jumping in the lake and swim was the most fantastic thing of all.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in December 2013
5.0/5
Short walk and very impressive view.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014