Parking
Free parking for cars and campervans at Roys Peak car park on Wānaka–Mount Aspiring Road, about 6 km west of Wānaka. It fills quickly; do not park on the road edge.
Overview
About Roy's Peak Track
Roys Peak Track is a challenging 16 km (10 mi) out-and-back from Roys Peak car park to the 1,578 m summit above Wānaka. The route climbs more than 1,200 m through farmland and tussock on a steep, zig-zagging track, with panoramic Lake Wānaka and Southern Alps views.
Why go
- True summit is quieter and broader than the famous viewpoint just below
- Wide, non-technical track—effort is all cardio, not scrambling
Heads up
- Crowds and photo queues at the ridgeline viewpoint
- Annual closure for lambing from October 1 to November 10
- No water on route and strong sun exposure
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Queenstown-Lakes District map
Full mapElevation332–1,557 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Queenstown-Lakes District alert
- ClosureSkippers Bridge closed to all trafficSkippers Bridge is closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians; do not cross.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide
Your drive to Roy's Peak Track, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Queenstown-Lakes District audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Roys Peak Track: The Famous Hike and an Essential TipListen
“The car park ahead is for the Roys Peak Track, Wānaka’s most famous and photographed hike. Just so you know, the trail is a serious workout—a relentless, steep climb up a wide farm track with almost no shade.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Merino on the Mountain
- Waterfall Creek: Gateway to Lakeside Walks
- Glendhu Bay Recreation Reserve: Day Use and Track Access
- Rippon: Wānaka's Most Scenic Winery
- 164 audio storiesacross Queenstown-Lakes District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Kākā, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 37 trails, 111 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Roy's Peak Track
Route and experienceStart at Roys Peak car park on Wānaka–Mount Aspiring Road and follow the marked track uphill to…
Start at Roys Peak car park on Wānaka–Mount Aspiring Road and follow the marked track uphill to the summit; the well-known photo viewpoints are about 30 minutes before the summit. Return via the same track. The route crosses private farmland: stay on the marked track, respect livestock and property, leave gates as found, and use stiles where provided.
Facilities and logisticsThe DOC car park is about 6 km west of Wānaka and has free parking for cars and campervans, but…
The DOC car park is about 6 km west of Wānaka and has free parking for cars and campervans, but fills quickly; do not park on the road edge. Toilets are at the car park and near the photo viewpoint. There is no drinking water on the track.
Conditions and restrictionsThe track is closed for lambing from 1 October to 10 November each year and reopens on 11…
The track is closed for lambing from 1 October to 10 November each year and reopens on 11 November. Snow and ice may occur in winter and early spring; upper sections have challenging avalanche terrain above 1,000 m. Check the forecast and DOC advice before setting out. Dogs are not permitted.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Queenstown-Lakes District
189 sightingsKeaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
18 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
195 sightingsKererūMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
48 sightingsWekaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
239 sightingsTūīMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
97 sightingsBellbirdMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Queenstown-Lakes District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
