In anticipation of our journey to Wānaka, we were eagerly planning for some epic hiking adventures. With options like Roy’s Peak and Isthmus Peak on our radar, we found ourselves torn between the two. Despite their similarities, opinions varied widely on which trail to tackle. Fortunately, we seized the opportunity to experience both! Here’s a detailed rundown of our adventures:
| Category | Roy’s Peak | Isthmus Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | ~10 minute drive from Wānaka | ~30 minute drive from Wānaka |
| Trail Summary | Length: 10.1 mi Elevation Gain: 4,297 ft Route Type: Out & Back Our time to Summit: ~2 hours and 6 min. Closures: Oct 1 – Nov 10 | Length: 9.8 mi Elevation Gain: 3,789 ft Route Type: Out & Back Our time to Summit: 1 hour and 50 min. Closures: Nov 20 – Dec 20 |
| Difficulty & Trail Conditions | Hard – consistent incline the entire way up. Mostly gravel / rocky trails | Medium / Hard – multiple flat breaks between inclines. Combo of grass / gravel trails |
| Crowds & Safety | Very crowded (completed on a Sunday). We passed ~50 people on our way up, and those 50 joined us at the peak for sunrise. We didn’t mind the crowds, as it made for some fun games of catch along the way up. | Not crowded at all (completed on a Thursday). We didn’t see anyone on our way up, which we agreed left us a little bit uneasy at times. There were ~5 people at the peak for sunrise. |
| Views | Beautiful lookout point and STUNNING views from the peak. It was fun seeing the city lights in the dark and once the sunrise came over the mountains, the views were unlike any we’ve seen before. | Lots of variety in the views. Along the 20 feet at Summit, you can check out both Lake Wānaka and Lake Hawea. We also had some beautiful jagged mountain views on the way down. |
Both hikes offer unique perspectives and memorable experiences, making it well worth the effort to conquer them both. But our ultimate winner…
Roy’s Peak
The sunrise views are unbeatable, and with most things equal we had the most comfort with it and loved that it was close to town. Check out our highlights below from both:
Wright to Wander 