Breast Hill Track | Is This The Best Day Hike Near Wanaka?
The stunning lakeside town of Wanaka and its equally picturesque neighbour, Lake Hawea, offer a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the breathtaking mountain ranges that encapsulate the towns. After exploring many of these trails ourselves, we’re convinced that the Breast Hill Track is the best all-rounder day hike near Wanaka!
We haven’t given this title out lightly, but when you stack up all its attributes it’s hard to find another that’s quite so appealing. The Breast Hill Track is an excitingly challenging and insanely scenic hike that leads you along rocky ridgelines while offering endless views of Lake Hawea and the Southern Alps – and gives you a little taste of the Te Araroa.
The Breast Hill Track is undoubtedly a test of fitness and rock-scrambling ability, but its straightforward navigation makes it an enjoyable challenge. It’s perfect for hikers seeking more adventure than other nearby trails that stick to farm roads with only occasional bursts of excitement.
In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about hiking the Breast Hill Track. We’ve included detailed trip notes, tips on the best time to visit and information about camping at Pakituhi Hut. Not to mention, plenty of beautiful imagery to fuel your stoke for adventure!
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Essential Information About Hiking The Breast Hill Track Near Wanaka
Quick Statistics For The Breast Hill Track By Lake Hawea
Distance
14.5 km return
Time
6 – 8 hrs
Navigation Difficulty
Easy
Trail Difficulty
Hard
Physical Challenge
Hard
Elevation Gain
1,407 m
Highest Elevation
1,577 m
Entrance Fees
None
Facilities
Trailhead: Small gravel car park 300 m north of the trailhead, another larger car park with a toilet block 1 km south of the trailhead
On the trail: Shelter and drop toilet at Pakituhi Hut
Where Does The Breast Hill Track Start?
Breast Hill towers above Lake Hawea on the lake’s southeast corner, roughly 25 minutes from Wanaka. A small gravel car park is located off to the side of Timaru Creek Road, 300 m past the Breast Hill trailhead. This is the most convenient place to park, but if it is full there are several other gravel pull-outs nearby that can be used as a car park.
There are no facilities at the car park or Breast Hill trailhead. The closest public toilets are located at Johns Creek Picnic Area, 2 km south of the trailhead.
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How To Get To The Breast Hill Track Trailhead
As you may have guessed, there are no public transport options for reaching the Breast Hill trailhead. If you don’t have a car, you can bike to the trailhead from Wanaka. You can follow a shared pathway all the way from Wanaka to Lake Hawea and around to Johns Creek Picnic Area.
Driving From Wanaka To The Breast Hill Track Trailhead
The Breast Hill trailhead is 25 minutes northeast of Wanaka and 10 minutes northeast of Lake Hawea. The roads are sealed for the majority of the drive but become gravel just after you turn onto Gladstone Road, which merges into Timaru Creek Road.
The gravel road is well-maintained, but there is one ford to cross (which was dry when we travelled past in January). Additionally, you may get stuck in sheep traffic from time to time as the trailhead is located within the Lake Hawea Station.
Click here for directions to the Breast Hill Track Trailhead
How Hard Is The Breast Hill Track?
The Breast Hill Track is relentlessly steep, climbing a whopping 1,407 m in elevation without much respite. But the true challenge lies in the exposed rocky ridgeline, which could be quite daunting for those afraid of heights.
The trail requires some use of your hands to climb up particularly rocky sections, but for the most part, it is quite straightforward. The main concern for those with limited experience is the exposure, which can be daunting for the first few times.
We recommend taking hiking poles with you to add extra points of contact to the ground, which can help you feel more stable. They can also help alleviate some of the strain on your legs, making your ascent feel significantly easier!
Navigation On The Breast Hill Track
The trail to Breast Hill is well-worn, thanks to being part of the Te Araroa, and very well-marked. You’ll find plenty of orange-tipped poles leading the way, making navigation a breeze.
The only section that caused slight confusion was at the 2.3 km mark (we’ve added a waypoint in our Alltrails recording), where the trail split and there were no markers present. At this point, take the upper trail to stay on the ridgeline.
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Best Time To Hike The Breast Hill Track
As I mentioned above, the Breast Hill Track is part of the Te Araroa, meaning it can get busy during the summer months. We completed this hike in late January and while we did meet a fair few other hikers, it wasn’t nearly as busy as others like Roy’s Peak or even the Isthmus Peak Track.
However, if you want to avoid some of the crowds, this is a great hike close to town that you can do for sunrise or sunset. Both times of day would offer a magnificent experience, just ensure you’re confident navigating exposed ridgelines by torchlight.
Furthermore, Breast Hill is considerably less crowded in the shoulder seasons, when there are fewer travellers visiting Wanaka. Just be aware that the trail can become seriously slippery in snowy, icy or wet conditions, so it’s best to avoid summiting in these conditions and waiting for dry weather.
Hiking To Breast Hill In Winter
It’s quite common to see the peak of Breast Hill dusted with snow during winter and as you would expect, this makes the track considerably more challenging. With that said, the most technical section of the Breast Hill Track is below the 1290 m contour line.
If you’re keen to attempt Breast Hill in winter, we suggest packing microspikes and heading out with the mindset that you may need to turn back if the snowline falls below 1290 m. After this point, the trail is far less exposed or technical and the gradient is more gradual, making it doable with the aid of microspikes.
What To Bring For Your Hike To Breast Hill
The hike to Breast Hill takes roughly 6 – 8 hours to complete. There are no water sources along the way (or at the trailhead) and the entire track is exposed to the sun. Therefore, we suggest carrying at least 2 – 3 litres of water per person and wearing plenty of sun protection.
Here is a list of essential items we recommend packing for the Breast Hill Track:
- 2 – 3 Litres of Water – we prefer using a water bladder so we can sip as we walk
- High Energy Snacks – look for muesli bars high in protein or make yourself a tasty wrap to take
- Hiking Shoes – we opted for shoes for this walk, but if it’s been raining there could be some muddy sections along the final ridgeline, in which case we’d opt for hiking boots instead
- Warm Layers – it gets super windy and cold on the summit ridgeline!
- Rain Jacket – weather conditions can change rapidly in the mountains
- Insect Repellent – we didn’t notice too many sandflies on this trail, but you can never be too careful!
- First Aid Kit & Emergency Blanket – many hiking first aid kits don’t include an emergency blanket, but it’s crucial for dealing with hypothermia
- Mobile phone – there is service throughout this walk, so a mobile phone will work in an emergency
The Breast Hill Track Notes
Climbing The Switchbacks To The Ridgeline
Leaving the designated car park, head south along the gravel road for 300 m until you arrive at the Breast Hill Trailhead. The trailhead is easy to spot, marked by a clear sign and a well-worn track. Interestingly, the sign doesn’t mention Breast Hill directly but instead references Pakituhi Hut, located about 2.6 km south of the summit.
There’s no beating around the bush for the Breast Hill Track. You’ll immediately start to ascend a narrow dirt path, with switchbacks beginning after roughly 300 m. The switchbacks ease the climb slightly, but be prepared to get those legs working straight away!
The switchbacks may be mentally challenging, but the ever-evolving views of Lake Hawea and the rugged Southern Alps provide a welcome distraction. After about 40 to 60 minutes and 1.7 km, you’ll arrive at the base of the ridgeline, having already tackled 350 m elevation gain!
The Ridgeline To The Track Junction
This is where the adventure truly begins. Though the trail remains easy to follow as it winds left and ascends sharply to the high point above, the terrain grows more demanding. You’ll navigate fractured rock slabs and scramble over scattered boulders, adding an exciting challenge to the journey.
Once you reach the first high point, the trail leads east along the ridgeline. Some sections are quite exposed and others require the use of hands to pull yourself up, but as long as the rocks are dry and you take your time, the scrambling is relatively straightforward.
Some additional worn paths arise as you ascend higher on the slightly undulating ridgeline, but all eventually merge back together – except one. At the 2.3 km mark, the trail forks quite distinctly. Continue along the upper trail to stay on the right track.
As you continue along the ridgeline, eventually sidling up beside a farm fence that divides the ridge, you’ll crest several high points, jump over a stile or two and witness the panoramic vistas unfold, growing more breathtaking with every step.
Finally, after another 1.5 – 2 hours, roughly 3 km and about 700 m elevation gain, the track veers right to cut beneath a high point and delivers you to the Pakituhi Hut and Breast Hill track junction.
The Track Junction To Breast Hill Summit
We didn’t bother walking down to Pakituhi Hut. But if you need a toilet, water (the tank is often dry in summer), or shelter from the weather, it’s only a few hundred metres from the track junction.
The final stretch north to the summit consists of far fewer challenges compared to the eastern ridgeline, which is a welcome relief for weary legs.
You’ll simply follow a narrow dirt path as it ascends along the gently sloping side of the northern ridgeline. However, be mindful that this section can become quite muddy after rainfall.
After tackling two slightly steeper sections, and stopping countless times to admire the vistas below the rocky ledges, you’ll finally arrive at the sloping summit of Breast Hill after another 40 – 60 minutes, 2.5 km and a final 300 m elevation gain.
It took us 3 hours to reach the summit, where we were gifted with breathtaking vistas of the shimmering Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, the Southern Alps – including the majestic Mt Aspiring – and the countless other rugged mountains crowding the horizon in all directions.
Returning To The Trailhead
After a leisurely lunch spent lying on the grassy summit, trying to name as many peaks as possible, we finally began the trek back to the trailhead. The descent was much quicker, taking us just 2 hours in total.
We chose to retrace our steps rather than detour below the ridgeline to bypass Pakituhi Hut from the east. The alternative route, which meanders through farmland visible from the ridge, felt like an unnecessary detour and added time.
After six hours on the trail, including a relaxed hour for lunch, we finally reached our car. To cap off the day, we headed to the Johns Creek Picnic Area for a refreshing swim in Lake Hawea. The crystal-clear water, though undeniably cold, was the perfect remedy for our tired muscles – and an experience we highly recommend.
Other Important Information For Hiking The Breast Hill Track Near Wanaka
Camping At Pakituhi Hut
If you’d rather break up the Breast Hill hike, or you simply want to spend a night in the mountains, you can opt to camp overnight at Pakituhi Hut, located 2.6 km from the summit of Breast Hill.
Pakituhi Hut is an 8-bunk standard hut managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). This hut costs $10 NZD per adult or $5 per child and runs on a first-come-first-served basis.
To pay for Pakituhi Hut, visit the DOC visitor centre in Wanaka and purchase one blue Standard Hut Ticket per adult or one yellow ticket for kids between 5-17 years. Once at the hut, drop the ticket into the honesty box or to a DOC ranger if present.
There is a drop toilet and tank water at the hut, but no lighting or heating. Furthermore, the water tank is often known to run dry during the summer months due to high traffic from people hiking the Te Araroa. We suggest asking the staff at the DOC visitor centre in Wanaka about the tank water levels before departing.
Leave No Trace
The Breast Hill Track skips between conservation land and the private farmland of Lake Hawea Station. We are fortunate that the station allows us to walk through their private property, so it’s essential that we be respectful and follow the guidelines listed at the trailhead.
The Lake Hawea Station asks that hikers stay on the marked trail, leave gates as they find them, use the stiles provided and keep a good distance from livestock.
In addition to the guidelines of the station, it’s also important to minimise your impact on the landscape. This is as easy as using the toilet provided at Pakituhi Hut and carrying all your rubbish out with you (including tissues and food scraps).
Where To Stay Near The Breast Hill Track
The Breast Hill Trailhead is located 10 minutes from Lake Hawea and 25 minutes from Wanaka. Wanaka is our favourite town in the South Island and our top pick to base yourself while exploring the many hikes near Wanaka.
With that said, Lake Hawea offers a more peaceful experience for those wishing to be slightly removed from the crowds. Lake Hawea has its own stunning lake to enjoy and is only 20 minutes away from Wanaka.
Here is a list of our top recommended places to stay near Breast Hill for various budgets:
- The Hidden Spring – We stayed at this beautiful, affordable studio on one of our visits to Wanaka and absolutely loved it! There is also an option for a two-bedroom apartment.
- The Kanuka Cabin – This is another adorable mid-range studio cabin with its own hot tub and breathtaking secluded views across the rolling valley.
- Marine Terrace Apartments – Fantastic luxury accommodation, located within short walking distance to Wanaka’s town centre. You’ll find all the amenities you could ask for here.
For more accommodation recommendations, check out our guide to the best places to stay in Wanaka for all budgets.
Camping Near The Breast Hill Track
Our favourite way to explore New Zealand is by campervan. It ends up being the cheapest option by far and you get to stay in some pretty darn incredible locations – for next to nothing!
The closest free campsite near the Breast Hill Track (if you have a self-contained campervan) is Red Bridge Campsite near Luggate. But if views and creature comforts are more important than saving some cash, then we recommend choosing The Camp on Lake Hawea.
Take a look at our in-depth guide to the best campsites in Wanaka for more options and handy information.
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Final Thoughts
The Breast Hill Track honestly blew us away. We didn’t expect to like it so much, but this trail has the perfect balance of challenge, breathtaking views and easy access from Wanaka. We believe this is the ultimate day hike if you’d like to progress from farm roads to something a little more thrilling.
Just remember to carry enough water for the day and to check the weather conditions to ensure you don’t get stuck in a downpour. We hope that this guide has helped you decide whether to include the Breast Hill Track on your Wanaka hike list.
If you have any further questions or would like to share your experience, please feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to us via Instagram.
Happy Hiking 🙂
