EXPLORE WĀNAKA
Wānaka has so much to offer. Here we share a selection of some great walks and our favourite cycling track. When you stay at Copper Beech Lodge Wānaka, check out your in-room compendium for many more local activities and our dining guide. In the meantime, contact us for recommendations.
Walking…
Mt Iron
The Mt Iron loop track is a must for anyone who enjoys a good walk and is visiting Wānaka. It is very close to town and a favourite go to for locals to exercise. The 4.5 km (approximately 1 hr 30 min) walk will see you climb around 250 metres to be rewarded with spectacular views, enabling you to gain your bearings whilst appreciating Lake Wānaka and surrounds. If you look carefully you can even see the Copper Beech during your ascent!
Roys Peak
One of the most instagrammed summit views in Central Otago, the Roys Peak Track is a challenging, rewarding and easily accessible Wānaka adventure. The walk starts 6 Km from Wānaka and is a climb of around 1500 m. The 16 km (5-6 hr) return journey offers stunning views of the Southern Alps, including Mt Aspiring, and you’ll no doubt see local wildlife. In Winter Roys Peak is covered in snow so we recommend tackling this walk in the warmer months.
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain
On the front doorstep of Mt Aspiring National Park, Wānaka provides access to so many amazing walks. We love the Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain walks as you can choose your own adventure, completing the circuit of your choice, with walking times ranging from 45 mins to 3 hrs. The walks start 18.5 km west of Wānaka with the drive along Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road setting the scene for exploring the alpine environment.
Rob Roy Glacier
Often described as one of New Zealand’s best short walks, this 10 km (2-3 hr) return ‘out and back’ walk rewards you with alpine experiences hard to find without more extensive effort. The walk starts at Raspberry Creek about an hour’s drive from Wānaka. It does involve some unsealed road and fords, please check conditions before departing.
Isthmus Peak
The Isthmus Peak track is a challenging and rewarding 5-6 hour walk with a summit that offers an incredible and unique vista over both Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. The track commences at The Neck of the two lakes following a 30-minute drive that in itself offers stunning views. With an elevation of just under 1400 meters, late spring to early autumn is the best time to hike Isthmus Peak.
Mt Iron
The Mt Iron loop track is a must for anyone who enjoys a good walk and is visiting Wānaka. It is very close to town and a favourite go to for locals to exercise. The 4.5 km (approximately 1 hr 30 min) walk will see you climb around 250 metres to be rewarded with spectacular views, enabling you to gain your bearings whilst appreciating Lake Wānaka and surrounds. If you look carefully you can even see the Copper Beech during your ascent!
Roys Peak
One of the most instagrammed summit views in Central Otago, the Roys Peak Track is a challenging, rewarding and easily accessible Wānaka adventure. The walk starts 6 Km from Wānaka and is a climb of around 1500 m. The 16 km (5-6 hr) return journey offers stunning views of the Southern Alps, including Mt Aspiring, and you’ll no doubt see local wildlife. In Winter Roys Peak is covered in snow so we recommend tackling this walk in the warmer months.
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain
On the front doorstep of Mt Aspiring National Park, Wānaka provides access to so many amazing walks. We love the Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain walks as you can choose your own adventure, completing the circuit of your choice, with walking times ranging from 45 mins to 3 hrs. The walks start 18.5 km west of Wānaka with the drive along Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road setting the scene for exploring the alpine environment.
Rob Roy Glacier
Often described as one of New Zealand’s best short walks, this 10 km (2-3 hr) return ‘out and back’ walk rewards you with alpine experiences hard to find without more extensive effort. The walk starts at Raspberry Creek about an hour’s drive from Wānaka. It does involve some unsealed road and fiords, please check conditions before departing.
Isthmus Peak
The Isthmus Peak track is a challenging and rewarding 5-6 hour walk with a summit that offers an incredible and unique vista over both Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. The track commences at The Neck of the two lakes following a 30-minute drive that in itself offers stunning views. With an elevation of just under 1400 meters, late spring to early autumn is the best time to hike Isthmus Peak.
Cycling…
It would be fair to say that most visitors to Wānaka hire a bike during their stay. With a wide range of options including e-bikes, mountain and trail bikes, it’s a great way to see some amazing scenery with as much or as little effort as you choose.
Outlet Track
One of our favourite local rides is following the Wānaka lakefront to the Outlet Track and along to Albert Town. The outlet is where Lake Wānaka joins the mighty Clutha river, which is an exquisite glacial blue-green. The track will see you follow the river’s edge and take in beautiful scenery. Just before the Albert Town bridge, you’ll take a right turn up to the town centre where locals and visitors reward themselves with a coffee and delicious treat at Pembroke Patisserie.
HAWEA RIVER TRACK
The Hawea River Track takes you from Albert Town to Lake Hawea. This awesome track provides a diversity of scenery from wide open vistas of sky and spikey mountains to pine forest and riverside. Check out the adventurous Hawea Wave before the river subsides to a more peaceful pace for your arrival in Hawea. The track is well maintained and suitable all year round.
