Day 18: Trekking Roys Peak in Wanaka
With the Trekking Roys Peak in Wanaka It is what we have dreamed of and with the goal that we stand today, starting a new journey on this trip to New Zealand in 36 days.
After yesterday visiting the Fox Glacier and Wanaka, traveling along the incredible road of the Haast Gorge, today we woke up at the Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park, our accommodation in Wanaka a couple of nights, for after a breakfast, when it is 7 o'clock In the morning we set off, with our camper Jucy, to the parking lot from which the path of the Trekking Roys Peak in Wanaka.
Remember that if you are interested in making a route through New Zealand by motorhome, we recommend you look at the Motorhome Republic page where you can see all the available motorhome options, prices and make the reservation directly.
Trekking Roys Peak in Wanaka
Known for being one of the best trekking in New ZealandLike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trek, this hike will allow you to enjoy spectacular views, both of the mountain range, from which you can see practically the entire Wanaka Lake until, on a clear day, as well as the surrounding mountains, including the famous mount Aspiring.
Trekking Roys Peak in Wanaka
Roys Peak Trekking Basics
- Keep in mind that at the beginning of Roys Peak trail It is approximately 6.3 kilometers from the center of Wanaka, so you must have a vehicle to get there. Although at this point there is a free parking, this is not especially large, so in high or medium season, it is important to arrive early in the morning to avoid running out of seats since there is no nearby area where you can leave your car or motorhome.
- The distance to cover is 9.4 kilometers of pure ascent to the famous viewpoint and 13.9 kilometers if you want to climb to the top. Remember that these distances must be traveled down again.
- Although it is impossible to determine an exact duration for Trekking Roys Peak, since each one has its own rhythm, in our case we begin the walk at 7:45 in the morning, we arrive at the famous viewpoint at 10:45, there we were 2 hours and we started down at 12:45, arriving from new to the parking lot at 3pm.
In total 3 hours of rise, 2 hours in the viewpoint area and 2:15 hours of descent, which make a total of 7:15 hours. At this time we could have added about 30-45 minutes more to climb to the top of the Roys Peak, something we did not do since in addition to the views were more or less the same, the fatigue of the climb, was already considerable enough to add more effort. - Many travelers recommend starting to climb at 4 in the morning, to see the sunrise at the top or a little later to see the sunrise during the ascent. In our case we started later, at 7:45 since we wanted to have good light and above all, not to have the sun in front when we reached the top, something we got up at this time.
Before making any of the options, we recommend you to watch the sunrise and sunset times well, to avoid surprises. - After these basic data, we cannot forget the degree of difficulty represented by the Roys Peak trekking. Although we cannot say that this is difficult, since no technique is needed to climb, we can say that it is extremely tired. Keep in mind that it is 3 hours of continuous climb, without rest and 2:30 hours of descent, along the same path.
Although the landscapes are superb and the climb becomes more enjoyable, there are times when at least I (Vanessa), I wanted to leave.
Climb Trekking Roys Peak
We leave you the exact point where the Roys Peak trekking begins and where you should leave the car or motorhome. Keep in mind that this is the only place where there are bathrooms, about 200 meters from the parking lot.
More practical information to prepare your trip to New Zealand
- 10 essential tips for traveling to New Zealand
- 10 essential places to see in New Zealand
- The best travel insurance for New Zealand
Tips for trekking Roys Peak
- If you want to enjoy the views, both during the climb and once at the top, it is best to do the Roys Peak trekking in Wanaka one day when the sky is clear or at least that forecast exists. To make sure you see the weather monitoring a couple of days before to see the forecasts and so, to be able to do it the day that is the best time.
- As we mentioned earlier, the climb is approximately three hours, with a medium physical form and making enough stops and the difficulty is very low, although the fatigue is very considerable since there is no flat section.
- Remember to bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses and in case of bad weather, raincoat and warm clothes in addition to a snack. Do not forget that there are no services on the entire route.
- Throughout the tour there are only two bathrooms, one at the beginning, 200 meters from the parking lot and another at the Roys Peak viewpoint 9 kilometers from the beginning.
Roys Peak trekking trail
- In case you want to see the sunrise at the top or in the viewpoint, it is important to check the schedules and keep in mind that you must wear a front and appropriate equipment to do the night climb.
- Another option is to raise in the afternoon, watch the sunset at the top, make free camping there (allowed) and watch the sunrise the next day, to go back down in the morning.
- In the case that you want to have the best light, according to our experience, at least between the months of March and April, it is best to climb from 10 in the morning. Thus, when you reach the top, there will be practically no one left (most people come up early in the morning) and you will not have the sun in front. Of course, if it is a sunny day, you will spend much more heat.
Landscapes during the Roys Peak trekking
- Something important, also to keep in mind, is that many of the travelers who do the Roys Peak trekking, we look for the same photo, which is none other than the one you see at the end of a road with the incredible landscape at your feet. This can only be done at one point, so please be responsible and polite and do not stay at that point, having breakfast or admiring the views more than a reasonable time, since there are many people who are waiting in line waiting for the photo and you can have the same views a little further back.
- This path crosses private lands, so it is very important to leave everything as you found it, close the doors of the different crossings and always stay on the marked path.
- In addition to all this, leave absolutely nothing other than your footprints. It is essential that we take care of our surroundings.
- The Roys Peak trekking trail is closed during the sheep's birth season, between October 1 and November 10 of each year.
Incredible, Roys Peak
We leave you the map of the route today doing the Trekking Roys Peak in Wanaka, one of the most demanding we have ever done.
And so, after 7:15 hours of the Roys Peak trekking in Wanaka, we return to the parking lot, as exhausted as we are amazed by one of the most incredible landscapes we have been lucky to enjoy, where we take the motorhome and return to the campsite, where we We take a shower and where after resting for an hour, when it is 5:30 in the afternoon, we return to Francesca's, the restaurant where we had dinner yesterday where we ordered a bruschetta, starter, risotto, parmigiana, beer, water, soda , dessert and coffees for 100NZD, that make us feel great and with those who return to the campsite where tonight, we go back to sleep as children, yes today, exhausted.
Day 19 (morning): Wanaka - Places to see in Glenorchy
