7 Best Hikes In Wanaka For Experienced Adventurers
Wanaka is the ultimate hiker’s playground, brimming with endless adventure opportunities. The town itself is tucked between stunning lakes and surrounded by rugged peaks, making it the perfect base for outdoor escapades. If you’re a seasoned hiker looking to tackle some challenging yet rewarding hikes in Wanaka, we’ve got you covered.
In total, we’ve spent over a month in Wanaka, exploring the majestic mountain ranges that surround this beautiful lakeside town. Yet, despite all this time and countless trails, it feels as though we’ve only just begun to uncover the myriad of epic hikes Wanaka has to offer.
While most lists of the best hikes in Wanaka will tell you to visit monotonous and overcrowded trails like Roy’s Peak, ours will only lead you to those that truly left us breathless with their stunning views and exhilarating ascents.
With that in mind, let’s dive into the details of our absolute favourite hikes in Wanaka, perfect for seasoned adventurers seeking unforgettable experiences.
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The Best Hikes In Wanaka For Adventurers
Quick Tips For Hiking In Wanaka
- Pack Insect Repellent – the sandflies in Mt Aspiring National Park are relentless and unfortunately, we have found that the only thing that truly works is repellent with at least 40% DEET
- Don’t leave your rain jacket at home – even if the weather forecast promises clear skies, we never hike anywhere in the alpine without waterproof gear
- Most of these hikes are a short drive from Wanaka, so hiring a car or campervan is highly recommended
- There is minimal phone reception on most of these hikes, if you don’t have your own emergency beacon you can rent one from the DOC visitor centre or the Macpac store in Wanaka
- The best time to hike in Wanaka is late Spring to Early Autumn (November – April)
- Most of the hikes listed require additional skill and avalanche awareness for winter ascents
Cascade Saddle Route
Time: 10 – 14 hrs (best done as an overnight hike)
Distance: 34 km return
Difficulty: Very Hard
Elevation Gain: 2,113 m
Trailhead: Raspberry Creek Car Park
The Cascade Saddle Route was among the first hikes we added to our New Zealand bucket list. We were captivated after stumbling across images of the breathtaking scene that awaited at the saddle. However, it was the promise of an exhilarating climb that would test our skills that truly hooked us.
Climbing an impressive 2,113 m – with 1,455 m tackled within just 7 km – you’ll navigate through dense, rugged forests to scale a bare alpine slope littered with steep rock slabs. After descending a scree-covered mountainside, you’ll cross the glacial-blue Cascade Creek, following its meandering course until finally reaching the edge of the monstrous Dart Glacier.
There’s no denying that this adventure demands considerable fitness and skill. But if you’re up for the challenge, the reward is a thousand times worth the effort – If only for the incomprehensible vistas of the mighty Mount Aspiring and surrounding glacial valleys.
Check out our comprehensive guide to hiking the Cascade Saddle Route for more information.
Shotover Saddle Route
Time: 7 – 9 hrs
Distance: 18 km return
Difficulty: Very Hard
Elevation Gain: 1,235 m
Trailhead: Raspberry Creek Car Park
If you’re searching for an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path hike that will knock your socks off, you must add the Shotover Saddle Route to your Wanaka itinerary! It’s easily one of our top three hikes in Wanaka, yet it remains mostly undiscovered by many adventurers.
The Shotover Saddle Route leads you along an impossibly steep, grassy slope to a saddle boasting the best birds eye view of Rob Roy Glacier.
For the most part, the trail is almost non-existent and you’ll need to rely on your navigation skills, but this just adds to the thrill of the hike!
You’ll likely have this hike all to yourself and for the ultimate experience, you might want to consider camping on top of the saddle. This way, you can savour a breathtaking sunrise and sunset in peaceful solitude.
For more information on this adventure, take a look at our detailed guide to hiking the Shotover Saddle Route next.
Brewster Glacier Hike
Time: 5 – 7 hrs
Distance: 11 km return
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1,299 m
Trailhead: Fantail Falls Car Park
While Brewster Glacier is certainly no secret, its popularity is well-deserved. The hike will captivate you right from the start as you cross the Haast River and begin climbing through the enchanting tangled forest.
But that’s only the beginning! Once you break through the treeline, breathtaking vistas unfold as you walk along the exposed alpine ridgeline. The excitement continues as you traverse a rocky slope to reach Brewster Glacier, where an enormous ice cave and glacial lakes demand exploration.
The walk to Brewster Hut is fairly simple for intermediate hikers, but the challenge steps up a notch once you leave the hut in pursuit of Brewster Glacier. For an added challenge, you can include the ascent to Mt Armstrong’s summit, where you’ll be rewarded with insane views of Mt Brewster, Brewster Glacier and the Southern Alps gracing the western horizon.
To learn more about this hike and the optional side trip to Mt Armstrong, check out our Brewster Glacier & Mt Armstrong Ultimate Guide.
Corner Peak Track
Time: 6 – 8 hrs
Distance: 17.5 km return
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1,631 m
Trailhead: Timaru Creek Car Park
If the breathtaking vistas from Isthmus Peak and Roys Peak captivated you, yet the tedious dirt road trails discouraged you, then you’re going to love Corner Peak!
Corner Peak provides an exhilarating hike along rugged, exposed ridgelines, offering unparalleled views of Lake Hawea and the majestic Southern Alps that dominate the horizon.
Much of the challenge lies in navigating the occasionally elusive and confusing trail, as well as the arduous steep ascent at the beginning. But we can assure you that the endless panoramic views and the exciting scramble along the precipitous ridgelines will keep you thoroughly entertained.
Corner Peak also offers an excellent winter hiking option if you’re trying to avoid complex avalanche terrain. While there is still a moderate risk near the summit, much of the trail remains accessible in winter without requiring mountaineering skills – unlike most other hikes on this list.
Take a look at our comprehensive guide to hiking the Corner Peak Track for more information.
Gillespie Pass Circuit
Time: 3 – 4 days
Distance: 64 km circuit (including Crucible Lake)
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 2,895 m
Trailhead: Young River Car Park
If you have to choose just one multi-day hike near Wanaka, the Gillespie Pass Circuit is the ultimate choice. This 3 – 4 day adventure was nothing short of magical from start to finish – particularly the unforgettable sunrise we witnessed from the iceberg-strewn Crucible Lake!
The Gillespie Pass Circuit captivated us with ever-changing vistas and the perfect dose of challenge. This circuit weaves through two stunning mountainous valleys in Mt Aspiring National Park, with an exhilarating trek over Gillespie Pass that connects the two valleys.
While demanding a solid level of fitness, careful attention on the steep pass, and river crossing experience if you opt out of the jet boat ride, much of the Gillespie Pass Circuit is straightforward. This affords you more opportunities to marvel at the stunning surroundings and enjoy relaxed lunch breaks atop Gillespie Pass.
To gain further insights and advice on logistics for this incredible multi-day hike, check out our detailed guide for the Gillespie Pass Circuit.
French Ridge Hut Track
Time: 11 – 14 hrs (best done as an overnight hike)
Distance: 37.4 km return
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1,579 m
Trailhead: Raspberry Creek Car Park
French Ridge Hut is arguably the most scenic alpine hut in New Zealand, perched on a ledge beneath towering glaciers and offering mind-boggling vistas of the majestic Matukituki Valley.
But what we love most about this hike is the challenging, yet extremely fun forest ascent, where you’re forced to pull yourself up using exposed tree roots and scramble over boulders before traversing a deeply rutted ridgeline to the iconic hut.
If you prefer the comfort of sleeping in an alpine hut (without sacrificing breathtaking views), or if you’re not quite ready to take on the Cascade Saddle Route or Shotover Saddle Route, the French Ridge Hut Track is an excellent choice.
For more information on this hike, check out our comprehensive guide to hiking to French Ridge Hut.
Liverpool Hut Track
Time: 10 – 12 hrs (best done as an overnight hike)
Distance: 34.4 km return
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1,140 m
Trailhead: Raspberry Creek Car Park
Liverpool Hut sits across the Matukituki Valley from French Ridge Hut, offering a fresh perspective of the magnificent mountain range.
Your climbing skills will be tested once again, on a slightly more hair-raising ascent compared to French Ridge Hut, but the reward is immensely worthwhile. Standing on the deck of the little red alpine hut, you’re afforded incomprehensible views of the glacier-carved valley, with Mount Aspiring soaring majestically among the distant peaks.
Ideally, we recommend visiting both French Ridge Hut and Liverpool Hut in a 3-day hiking adventure. But if time limits you to just one, Liverpool Hut offers a slightly cheaper, quieter, and more challenging experience.
Check out our detailed guide to hiking to Liverpool Hut for more information on this epic adventure.
Final Thoughts
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the awesome trails you’ll find surrounding Wanaka. Instead, it’s an exclusive list of the best rugged, challenging and slightly off-the-beaten-path hikes that will leave you breathless in more ways than one!
As we continue to explore the magnificent mountain ranges near Wanaka, expect to find more exhilarating hikes added to this collection. Furthermore, if you have any epic hikes that we need to experience, please add them in the comments below!
Lastly, remember to read our full guides on the hikes listed above to ensure they are the right fit for you. Some require advanced skills and further knowledge of river crossings or avalanche awareness.
We hope you enjoy hiking around Wanaka as much as we do. If you have any additional questions about the region, don’t hesitate to reach out via the comments below or Instagram.
