If there’s a walk that got me excited even more to hike in New Zealand, it would be the Rob Roy Glacier day hike in Mt. Aspiring National Park. It’s about one hour from Wanaka and certainly a must do when visiting.
Why did I get so excited? Well as you know I’m a Canadian prairie girl. I’ve spent 26 years of my life in snow for 5 to 6 months of each of those years. Snow was a big part of my life and as crazy as it sounds, being away from it for a few years, I kind of miss it. Especially when it’s happily draped over these massive majestic things called mountains, which I was never used to seeing growing up. So even just driving towards Mt Aspiring Park and seeing all this beauty, I was really taken aback. A loss for words, which for me is odd. Just ask my boyfriend. The best part is that it got even better!
You might be thinking, ok, great, mountains with snow but it goes a little deeper than that. At least for me. As you get a little older, you really appreciate things. When you find yourself in a moment where you have no words for the beauty in front of you, then you know it’s big and it really moves you.
I didn’t know what to expect on this walk but as you can tell the end results really blew me away!
The track starts at Raspberry Creek car park, 54 km west of Wanaka. Most of the road is a gravel road with the last 10 km being a fine weathered road. It is easily flooded and subject to wash outs. We were lucky when we went as we were driving a truck but part of the road was washed out and unfortunately not passable for cars. There is a shuttle service available from Wanaka though that is able to get you there and let you know of road conditions!
You cross a swing bridge before you start the gradual ascent up hill with a good track. I misunderstood the Doc information when it said ‘easy walking track’. I thought that meant the hike was rated easy. I wouldn’t say so though. I certainly put on a bit of a sweat walking at a good steady pace uphill.
There is a lovely spot to sit and have a drink about half way up the track. You get a little preview of what’s to come so don’t stop now! Soon you’ll be out of the forest, through a little bit of a rocky rubble section and witnessing nature’s pure beauty for yourself!
You may or may not be greeted by Kea birds at the top. Don’t feed them! As beautiful as they are, they’re cheeky little buggers and will try and steal your belongings! If you don’t see one you might hear one! Sadly we didn’t. We headed up around 9:30 and all ready the track was getting busy. I would suggest going as early as you can!
The walk really was pure New Zealand– beach forest, river valleys, glaciers, mountains, lush and green. It simply was amazing!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Distance: 10km return on the same track
Elevation: ~500 meters
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (achievable by older children)
Track: mostly easy, some rocky parts
Restrictions:
– avalanche warnings from May to November
– no dogs
– this track crosses private land so be respectful of land and livestock
— DO NOT FEED THE KEA BIRDS
Be prepared:
– toilets at the beginning and end of the track
– bring PLENTY of water
– sunscreen
– snacks (or even bring lunch for the top!)
Clothing: be sure to bring a long sleeve or jacket even in the summer. They are alpine condition and the weather can change quickly. A good idea is to layer clothing- t-shirt, long sleeve, jacket. Bring a hat and make sure you have good footwear!
New Zealand is gorgeous country and it’s our job to preserve it. If you bring garbage up, take it with you. Please respect the land, livestock and track rules.
I hope Rob Roy Glacier as inspired to you to check it out for yourself! If you have already tell me about it! Happy Hiking!
xo.Lauren
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23 Responses
Beautiful! I hope to someday visit New Zealand – this will definitely be on my list of places to see!
I hope so! It really is so beautiful here!
Beautiful pictures! I have always admired New Zealand for it’s picturesque scenery. I love how you are protecting your country and taking care of your treasures. I wish more countries would follow your example. I am so saddened when I see plastic bags or bottle on a beautiful hiking trail in the middle of a forest or on top of a mountain.
Thanks girl!! This country takes so much pride in being clean I too wish every place was like that! It really is so beautiful here!
I’m so jealous! My friend didn’t want to do any long hikes with me when we were there a week ago. The pictures are absolutely beautiful! Definitely have to go back now…
Oh no! You’ll have to come back. They’re not easy but so so so worth it!! You feel great at the end too, so accomplished that you just climbed a mountain!
This hike is something I look forward to on my next trip down to South Island. Such beautiful landscape and you captured it so well 🙂
Thank you!! It is so beautiful! I hope you get here soon! And hey I’d love to join you!!
Looks like a fabulous hike. Thanks for writing your honest experience, I would have thought it meant an easy hike too, ha! But with views like these, I would spend my 4 hours here without another thought 🙂
Haha yes!! The climb is always worth it! Thanks for reading!!
New Zealand looks breathtaking. Great pictures!
Thank you! Oh my gosh it is!! If you love nature this is your place!!
Fellow Canadian gal here! I think I would miss the snow a little too, as much as I complain about it ever winter haha but sounds like you found a little sliver of home over there 🙂 it definitely looks so beautiful!
Haha yes!! Canadian!! I know I complain about the snow but so always miss it haha!
This place looks like somewhere I’d love to get lost in. Nature is home for me, and New Zealand is somewhere that has so much to offer travelers who want to dive in, away from city life, to commune with the natural wonders including waterfalls and this Glacier. Thanks!!!
If you love nature! Gosh you’d love it!! It’s magical here and from one coast to the other it changes so much! If you find yourself over here please let me know!!
Love your elegant description of the mountains, and your photos are stunning. Sounds like an incredible hike.
Thanks Yvette! Yes so so beautiful!
Awesome hike! I know why you enjoyed it. Your post takes one on track as one is actually part of the hike. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you so much Pia. This means so much! I hope to bring my readers on the ride so you can feel what it is like and hopefullly bring you over to New Zealand!
Lauren this is amazing! I wanted to do this hike last time I was in Wanaka but the weather wasn’t great…this is great inspiration to head back! Love your descriptions of the experience 🙂
Thanks Lisa! Yes you must head back! That one and Roy’s Peak have really inspired me and got me more into hiking then I ever thought I would be!
I love this post soooo much! Yay that we managed to read each others wanaka posts this week. I reeeally hope I can go back to Kiwiland to hike some more because I keep finding awesome blogs like this showing more epic walks that we missed the first time!
Anyway, I love your photos so thank you for sharing them.
I really hope this comment makes it through. My earlier one was rejected. 🙁