New Zealand’s Roys Peak Hike: All You Need to Know

Roys Peak is known to be one of the best hikes in New Zealand, and for good reason. The trek was at the top of my list of things to do during my six months in New Zealand, and it didn’t disappoint.

I loved it so much that I ended up doing the hike twice.

In this guide, I’ve shared everything you need to know about the beautiful Roys Peak track. Located in Mount Aspiring National Park on the South Island of New Zealand, this incredible trail winds up to a viewpoint with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Wanaka.

Thanks to social media and epic views, Roys Peak has dramatically grown in popularity in recent years. This means it’s quickly become of the most popular hikes in New Zealand.

Side note: If you want a quieter hike, consider Isthmus Peak. This stunning hike rivals Roys Peak, and is also found in Wanaka.

Below, you’ll find all you need to help plan your hike in Wanaka. This includes an overview of the hike, how to get that famous shot, Roys Peak at sunrise and whether or not it’s worth the hype.

Overview of the Roys Peak Track

Length: 10 miles (16km) return (with summit)
Elevation gain: 1300 meters (4200ft)
Difficulty: Challenging (steep but by no means technical)
Time: 6-8 hours
Where: Wanaka in Mount Aspiring National Park
Closures: Roys Peak is closed from 1 October to 10 November each year for lambing season. The latest information is on the DoC website.

Okay, let’s start with some of the basics.

The Roys Peak Track is in the town of Wanaka, about an hour’s drive from Queenstown. While Wanaka is an ideal day trip from Queenstown, I recommend spending a night or two there (especially if you’re doing this hike!).

Fondly known as ‘Queenstown’s little sister’, it’s a beautiful town surrounded by mountains. You’ll need one day to hike Roys Peak, so it’s a good idea to consider staying the night before.

My biggest tip for the Roys Peak hike is to start early. Like really, really early. This is one of New Zealand’s best day hikes, and it draws in the crowds.

Sunrise is a fantastic time to hike Roys Peak. It’s much quieter than during the daytime. If you’re lucky with the weather, you could even be rewarded with a famous cloud inversion.

Another ideal time to start the hike is right after sunrise. You’re still early enough to miss the worst of the crowds, but you don’t need to get up quite as early and will miss the mini-sunrise rush.

Here’s a breakdown of each section of the hike.

The climb up

The great thing about the Roys Peak hike is that it’s beautiful from the very start of the track. The views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks are breathtaking, and they only get better the higher you go.

The first part of the hike is certainly the hardest. It’s a steep climb from the get-go. The trail is mostly a dirt track through fields on the side of the mountain.

The famous viewpoint

Depending on your pace, reaching the viewpoint will take two to three hours. Are you wondering, ‘what viewpoint?’ Well, this is arguably one of the best views in New Zealand. You’ll have no doubt seen it somewhere when planning your trip to New Zealand.

The main viewpoint isn’t actually the summit, but it’s super impressive. It offers stunning views over Lake Wanaka, and there’s a small track you can walk out on to get THAT famous photo.

This is where you’ll find most of the crowds. It wasn’t even busy when I went, but I still had to wait over fifteen minutes to get a photo. This is why you want to get on the trail early.

You really can’t miss the viewpoint. It’s where there’s a lot of people.

Roys Peak summit

For the more avid hiker, there’s the option to hike to the summit of Roys Peak. Is it worth it? Hmmm… yes and no!

I had to do it as I can’t not finish a hike. I’m glad I did it, it was beautiful! However, the views are very similar to the lookout point. If anything, they’re not quite as impressive.

So, don’t feel like you have to do the summit or will miss out if you don’t. It’s stunning, but the viewpoint is where the magic is.

If you do choose to climb to the summit, it’s about an additional thirty minutes of hiking and scrambling up some rocks. It can get slippery in the rain, so take care.

If you only plan to hike to the viewpoint, it’s a shorter hike at around 9 miles (14km) return.

The return down

The way back down seems neverending. It’s an out-and-back track, so you return the way you came.

Thankfully, the views of Mount Aspiring National Park will help to keep you distracted. If you suffer from knee problems, you may find hiking poles useful for this section.

Roys Peak hike difficulty

Anyone in relatively good fitness should have no issues climbing Roys Peak. Due to its fame, it attracts a more non-hiker crowd than other hikes in the area, and it’s relatively straightforward.

One thing to note is that the elevation gain is 1300 metres (4265 feet), so it’s a steep climb. The scenery tends to stay the same all the way, and while impressive, it can start to feel a bit samey by the end.

The track to the main viewpoint requires no technical skills. It’s long and steep but easy enough.

If you plan to go to the main summit (beyond the main photo spot), you will need to do some scrambling. If it’s been raining, the rocks can become very slippery.

Depending on your pace, it takes 2-3 hours to reach the viewpoint. The main summit is another 30 minutes beyond this. Unless you’re an avid hiker, there’s no need to go all the way to the very summit. The views don’t change much, but you do escape the crowds.

The track itself is wide and easy to walk on. However, it can get very slippery in wet weather. If you’re prone to painful knees when hiking, I suggest taking walking poles for the hike down. It’s very steep and takes a toll on the knees.

I would say Roys Peak is easier than the Tongariro Crossing. It’s not quite as technical (at least to the viewpoint) and much shorter. It’s also slightly easier than Ben Lomond. So, if you’ve hiked either of those, Roys Peak will be a breeze.

The best time of year to hike Roys Peak

Summer is the best time to hike Roys Peak! As New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, the warmer months fall between November and April. New Zealand weather can be unpredictable, but the snow has usually gone by November.

It’s important to know that Roys Peak is closed from 1 October to 10 November for the lambing season. The latest information is on the DoC website.

December through February are usually the most popular months for the hike. This is the peak season in New Zealand, and many visitors include the hike on their itinerary.

To avoid the worst of the crowds, you could consider doing it during the shoulder season months of April, May, and November. There will be fewer people, and the weather conditions will hopefully be favourable.

I hiked Roys Peak for the first time in May, and it was absolutely fantastic to see all of the autumn colours across Wanaka.

Roys Peak in winter

Want to hike Roys Peak in the winter? The good news is that it’s possible. However, it does require some preparation.

Roys Peak is actually in an avalanche zone. This means that during the winter (June to October), heavy snow can cause avalanches on the track.

It goes without saying that hiking up a steep mountain in deep snow and ice isn’t for the inexperienced. If there’s snow on the ground, I would carefully consider if it’s safe to do the hike.

For what it’s worth, I did the hike for the second time in late September. The final part of the hike was a bit icy, and it was too dangerous to attempt the summit.

How to get to Roys Peak

The trailhead for Roys Peak is just under 3.7 miles (6 km) from Wanaka. At the time of writing this, there is no public transport to the trailhead.

The easiest way to get there is to drive yourself. In my opinion, hiring a car or campervan is the best way to explore New Zealand. It gives you complete flexibility to go at your own pace.

🚗 Looking to rent a car in New Zealand? I LOVE Rental Cars. They have so many options for destinations all around the world.

If you don’t have a car in New Zealand, you can book a taxi. Some accommodations in Wanaka offer shuttle buses during the summer, so this could be another option.

Roys Peak Parking

Now, this is where it gets a bit complicated. Roys Peak has a car park, but it’s not the biggest (even with the overflow).

The parking lot is right at the beginning of the hike on Mount Aspiring Road, it’s hard to miss. There’s the main car park and an overflow car park right next door.

If you arrive at Roys Peak after 8 a.m., you might struggle to find a space. There is limited parking in the area, so you could have to return another day.

This is why it’s a good idea to start the hike as early in the day as possible.

Roys Peak Sunrise or Sunset

Sunrise is the BEST time to hike Roys Peak, and I mean that with all sincerity.

If you’ve read earlier sections of this post, you’ll know that the crowds at Roys Peak can be overwhelming. Going at sunrise means avoiding the worst of the crowds.

But, that’s not the only reason to go at sunrise.

Sunrise is an absolutely beautiful time to hike Roys Peak. Of course, it’s weather-dependent, but if you go on a clear morning, the sunrise views are stunning!

If there is some cloud, don’t be put off. Roys is known for its famous views of cloud inversions. As you hike up, you’ll eventually come out on top of the clouds. It’s such a surreal experience.

An inversion can’t be guaranteed, and it’s impossible to know in advance if this is how it will be. But it’s worth taking the chance.

I recommend setting off at least three hours before the sun starts rising, and even earlier if you can (unless you’re a fast hiker). The magic is usually during those minutes before the sun appears on the horizon.

Another option to avoid the crowds is to hike Roys Peak for sunset. This is entirely doable, and you could be lucky with the weather.

However, Wanaka is known for its cloudy afternoons. Clouds usually roll in over the mountains throughout the day, so you’ll have to pick a clear afternoon for the hike.

Don’t forget a head torch if you want to do the hike at sunrise or sunset. You’ll need it!

FAQ about hiking Roys Peak

Is hiking Roys Peak free?

Roys Peak is on private land, and you are required to pay a $2NZD fee. You’ll see the box at the start of the hike. It would be easy to skip paying this, but a hike like this requires maintenance, and I highly encourage you to pay the fee to keep the route operating in the future.

How long does it take to hike Roys Peak?

For most people, the Roys Peak track takes between six and eight hours to complete. The viewpoint is a two or three-hour hike, and the summit is another thirty to forty minutes. Coming down is a bit quicker, thanks to being all downhill.

Are there toilets at Roys Peak?

Yes, there are toilets at the start of the hike and the viewpoint. You’ll need to take your own toilet paper.

Is it safe to hike alone?

Hiking alone also comes with added risks, but there’s no reason why you can’t hike Roys Peak solo. It’s a popular trail, and the path is very easy to follow.

Is Roys Peak worth the hype? Honest thoughts

Yes! It’s one of my favourite hikes in New Zealand. The views on the hike are some of the best I have ever experienced.

As I mentioned, getting that famous shot has become a bit of a social media frenzy. This means you sometimes have to wait quite a while to get the photos.

However, it’s famous for good reason. It’s well worth the hike. If you really want to avoid the crowds, you could consider hiking Isthmus Peak. It’s just as beautiful (in my opinion)!

Tips for hiking Roys Peak

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your hike!

As much as I enjoy hiking in all weather, I think Roys Peak is only worth it on sunny days (or when you might get a cloud inversion, which tends to be in the morning). If there are low clouds, you won’t see anything at all.