The iconic Roy’s Peak hike is probably the most popular, or at least one of the most well known hikes in New Zealand. The fame is in part due to it’s proximity to Wanaka (10 minutes) and Queenstown (approx. 1.5 hours). However, the popularity is also due to the spectacular views that greet you not only at the summit, but the whole way along the trail. We have detailed a few tips on the experience below from a bucket list hike we think is well worth the hype!
A few details and things to know about Roy’s Peak Hike in Wanaka:
- Hike Distance: 16kms round trip (approx. 8kms to the peak)
- Distance to ‘the view’: The ‘insta-famous’ view of the hike is located ~6.5kms up (not at the summit).
- Hike Elevation: Be prepared for your legs to feel this! With around 1300m of elevation, it’s nothing to sneeze out.
- Hike Length: This will vary depending on your fitness and hiking ability. It took us around 5.5hours including breaks for photos and lunch. Many guides online report between 5-7 hours.
- Trail Difficulty: The Roy’s Peak hiking trail is very well maintained. Think an easy, wide trial that winds constantly up the mountains. There were no overly technical parts. We do however advise hiking shoes.
- Is the trail sheltered? No, Roy’s Peak is a very open trail. This means you will get burnt if the sun is out (wear sunscreen!) or wet if it rains. Keep this in mind and be prepared.
- Is there parking at Roy’s Peak? Yes.. but it will fill up. Thankfully there’s a fair bit of overflow parking, however in peak season you will likely want to start early.
What time of day to start the hike will depend on your preference. Many guides online talk about reaching the summit for sunrise, and experience we are sure is spectacular. However, we opted to start early (~7.30am) and enjoy lunch at the top with a view.
Is Roy’s Peak worth the hype? Absolutely! This was a tough hike, but one we thoroughly enjoyed! The ‘AllTrails’ ranking of ‘Hard’ is probably justified, but mostly due to the constant elevation. Be prepared, and then enjoy the views!
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