Roys Peak Track in Wanaka is one of the most iconic (and popular) hikes in all of New Zealand. With picturesque views over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps, it’s easy to see why thousands of people attempt this hike every year. A word of caution — the climb to the top is steep and seems to go on forever. Despite the difficulty, hiking Roys Peak at sunset is magical and more than worth it. Here’s a quick guide to help you plan your trek, including ways to avoid the crowds!
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General information
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Highest elevation: 1,578 m / 5,177 ft
- Elevation gain: 1,258 m / 4,127 ft
- Length: 16 km / 9.9 mi return
- Time: 5 – 6 hours total
- Are dogs allowed? No
- Is drone flying allowed? Not without a permit from DOC
Roys Peak Track is closed each year from 1 October to 10 November for lambing. Because part of the track crosses over private farmland, you can expect to see some livestock near the beginning.
There is also a $2 fee that you pay via a small box near the start of the track.
How to get to Roys Peak
Roys Peak Track is located just 6 km (3.7 mi) from Wanaka. The easiest way to get there is by driving (or hitchhiking — which is legal and safe in New Zealand!).
Driving times from:
Another option is to take the Ritchies shuttle. In the summer months, the Track Transport Bus runs from Wanaka town center to three tracks in Mt Aspiring National Park: Roys Peak, Raspberry Creek, and Diamond Lake.
Parking at Roys Peak trailhead
The Mount Roy car park is fairly large but can fill up at peak times of the day. Parking on the side of the road is not allowed, so the best bet to secure a spot is to arrive right before sunrise or sunset. That way, you’re more likely to avoid the crowds that can form around midday.
There is a toilet near the parking lot (and another one at the viewpoint!).
Roys Peak hike
Uphill slog
The first part of the trail crosses through private farmland, so expect to bump into a few sheep on your way up. The track starts out pretty steep and zigzags across the eastern face of Mount Roy. As you climb higher, there are several stiles to cross over. The track gets a bit less steep and the switchbacks get a bit longer the higher up you go.
Since we started our walk in the evening, we blessedly were shaded by the mountain almost the whole way up. If you’re doing this hike during the day, however, expect to have little-to-no cover over the entire track. Make sure to bring a hat and wear lots of sunscreen!
The Roys Peak track itself is long and steep but not technically challenging. It’s a mix of hard dirt and grass on a well-maintained, wide track (woohoo!).
Instagram-famous Roys Peak viewpoint
We climbed at a fairly steady pace, making it to the viewpoint in about 2 and a half hours. After taking some pictures and having dinner, the sky started turning into the most wonderful shades of pink, purple, and orange. Despite the wind chill and quickly falling temperatures, being up that high to see the sunset was fantastic.
One of the best parts of hiking Roys Peak at sunset was the lack of crowds. We only passed a few people coming back down on our way up and we were the only ones at the viewpoint, meaning we could be selfish with how long we spent taking pictures.
Roys Peak summit
Like I mentioned before, the true summit of Mount Roy is still another half hour climb uphill past the viewpoint. Because we started our hike quite late and watched the sun set from the viewpoint, we decided it wasn’t worth the climb up to reach the summit in the dark. If you’re doing Roys Peak at sunset and are gung ho about reaching the summit, I’d recommend starting the hike a bit earlier than we did and heading straight up to the top without stopping.
Another alternative, of course, is to start the hike very early in the day. By reaching the viewpoint for sunrise, you’ll still have the rest of the day ahead of you to make your way to the summit.
If you’re hiking all the way up to the summit, make sure to add at least another 1 hour to your total hiking time.
Hiking Roys Peak at sunset
Sunrise vs. sunset
Both sunrise and sunset are optimum times to hike Roys Peak. You get fewer crowds, great lighting for pictures (hello, golden hour!), and the opportunity to watch a stellar natural phenomenon from above. While you can’t go too wrong either way, I believe that hiking at sunset has a few extra benefits. Here’s why!
First off (and most obviously) is the time of day. If you want to catch the sunrise from the viewpoint, you’ll need to start hiking around 4am. For those early risers out there, that might be ideal — but personally, I find it a bit of a stretch. A sunset hike, on the other hand, starts around 6pm and finishes around 11pm (much more reasonable).
Another point to consider is that when hiking Roys Peak at sunrise, you’ll be going up the mountain in the dark. Personally, I find it much more motivating to be able to see my surroundings and take in the view while stopping to catch my breath. By hiking at sunset, you’ll get to see all the views coming up (but will be in the dark coming down). This all boils down to personal preference, but once I’ve made it to my intended viewpoint, I’m ready to hightail it back to my car as soon as possible.
How to hike Roys Peak at sunset
These are the steps that my group and I followed to time our hike perfectly. Make sure to adjust your own timeline to suit the time of year and your own hiking ability.
Step 1: Look up the sunset time for the day you’re hiking. We did the hike in the summer, so ours was pretty late at 9:05pm.
Step 2: We wanted to be up at the viewpoint by 8:30pm to get the most of the changing sky. Working backwards, we decided to start our hike by 6pm. This gave us 2 and a half hours to make it up to the viewpoint. (Most people take between 2 and 3 hours.)
Step 3: Profit.
If you want to make it to the Mt Roy summit for sunset, make sure to push your start time at least half an hour earlier. Instead of stopping at the viewpoint for pictures, head straight up to the summit and enjoy the views.
Is hiking Roys Peak at sunset worth it?
Yes! The track is pretty steep, but I didn’t find it overly difficult. Compared to the Mueller Hut Route, which is literally mostly stairs, Roys Peak didn’t seem as strenuous (or, should I say, tortuous). In any case, the views from the top are more than worth the pain of making it up.
Hiking at sunset specifically is also worth the extra planning time. The changing sky made the scenery more breathtaking than usual — and we got to experience it without the crowds that usually come along with such a popular hike.
If you’re on the fence, just do it!
What to pack for your Roys Peak hike
- Hiking boots: Not absolutely necessary in the summer months, but helpful nonetheless. Teva brand boots are my favorites because they are lightweight and super comfortable!
- Water: At least 2 liters per person.
- Headtorch: Definitely necessary if you’re hiking at sunrise/sunset. Headtorches are great because they are hands-free.
- Sunscreen: The track is fully exposed and New Zealand sun is no joke!
- Snacks: A necessity for a hike of this length.
- Hat: To shield yourself from the sun.
- Hiking poles: These are SO helpful, especially when going downhill!
- Camera: You’ll definitely want to take tons of pictures at the viewpoint.
Other things to do in Wanaka
- Lake Wanaka & #ThatWanakaTree: Spending a day on the shores of Lake Wanaka is a must-do. Make sure to take a peek at the famous tree growing in the southern part of the lake!
- Wildwire Wanaka via ferrata: This guided climb goes around several waterfalls, crevasses, and swing bridges near Wanaka.
- Skiing & snowboarding: With a few top-tier ski fields nearby, Wanaka makes the perfect base for a winter holiday. Treble Cone and Cardrona ski fields are close and popular with locals.
Take a tour in Wanaka
Alternative South Island day hikes
Already conquered Roys Peak? Here are some alternative options in the area with equally stunning views.
- Mueller Hut, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — hard
- Isthmus Track, Wanaka — hard
- Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown — hard
- Greta Track, Lake Ohau — moderate
- Red Tarns, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — moderate
- Bob’s Cove, Queenstown — easy
Thanks for reading this guide to hiking Roys Peak at sunset! If you have any other favorite hikes in the surrounding area, let me know in the comments below (I want to do them all!).
xoxo Niki
