The Rocky Mountain Summit Track has incredible views over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountain ranges with almost every step. The narrow path just before the summit feels like you’re walking on top of the world. It’s a gorgeous trail, and even though we hiked on a gloomy wet day, the scenery still blew us away.
It’s a much less steep and challenging hike than some of the other peaks around Wanaka, making it an easy win when you have just a few hours to spare.
Before you set off, it’s worth bearing in mind that there are a couple of different routes you can take, and if you’re walking after rain one will become a bit of a slippery mudfest. So you want to read on to make sure you don’t find yourself descending a steep path ankle deep in slippery mud!
We’re sharing exactly what to expect from the trail, as well as the best route to take after rain.
The Rocky Mountain Summit Track
The stats
Distance: 8km
Elevation: 500m
Difficulty: Moderate
By New Zealand standards, the Rocky Mountain Summit Track is pretty easy going. There’s a bit of a climb but it’s never too steep and most of the track is in good condition.
We took just over 3 hours to do the whole trail, but that included plenty of stops for photos and a long time navigating a steep mud slick and a path that had become a waterfall!
There are a couple of very short easy scrambles on the Eastern Track, and one section that becomes very slick and muddy on the Western Track (but would be much easier in dry conditions).
What to expect on the trail
Starting the trail to Diamond Lake Lookout
The walk begins on a wide easy gravel path. You’ll begin heading uphill immediately, but it’s pretty leisurely, and after 500m the trail completely flattens.
The distant mountain views are great from the off and it gets even more dramatic as you go on.
The track veers to the left shortly after it flattens, it’s well signposted and you couldn’t miss it.
You’ll reach a good view of Diamond Lake from the shore just a few hundred metres later. If you’re lucky - and have clear conditions - you can get a nice reflection in the water.
Continuing past the sign for the Lake Circuit (unless you want to add that on), you’ll start heading uphill again. This time it’s a bit steeper, on a series of staircases, but it doesn’t take long to reach the first lookout (1.4km into the walk).
This lookout offers a great view of Diamond Lake from above and the setting is gorgeous, surrounded by forest and mountains. Some people choose to turn around here, but the best parts are yet to come.
Onto Lake Wanaka Lookout
From Diamond Lake Lookout you’ll continue heading uphill for 150m before reaching a junction. This is where you can choose to follow the Eastern or Western Track to the Rocky Mountain summit.
We’d recommend taking the Eastern Track - particularly if you have clear weather on your right (towards Lake Wanaka).
The Eastern track has some incredible views and takes you via the Lake Wanaka Lookout, which is well worth seeing.
Following the Eastern Track you’ll arrive at another junction 450m later - this time it’s for the Lake Wanaka Lookout. Unless you are really pushed for time, we definitely recommend making the short 800m return detour to this lookout (it should take less than 10 minutes).
It’s an easy trail that barely goes uphill at all and leads you to a wonderful view over Lake Wanaka. There’s even a handily placed bench seat to sit and admire it from.
The last 100m is on private property so you must stick to the trail (but again it’s all well signposted).
Although the view from the Lake Wanaka Lookout is the same as the one you’ll get as you begin ascending the Rocky Mountain Summit Track, you feel much closer to the view and it’s well worth a look in its own right.
Heading up the Eastern Track to the Rocky Mountain summit
Once you’re back at the junction, you’ll begin climbing to the Rocky Mountain summit. The trail quickly narrows as you begin a couple of switchbacks.
It’s not overly steep and the views over the lake and mountains are incredible.
If it’s been very wet, this part of the trail does become a bit muddy, but it’s nothing major. Roughly 300m into the climb you’ll reach a very short scramble where the trail has become a bit washed out.
You’ll climb up a couple of rocks which do become a little slippery if wet, but it really only takes a minute to get over this bit.
You then reach the top of that particular climb and a fork in the track. If you take the path on the right, you’ll reach yet another fab view of the lake after 50m. It’s another flat easy detour that’s well worth making.
Once back on the main trail you’ll reach another junction 150m later. Head right here to continue on the Eastern Track.
The final leg to the summit
The first part of next section takes you briefly on an uphill rocky path. It’s steepish, but not a scramble, you can walk up without using your hands.
After 150m you’ll arrive at yet another phenomenal view. At this point for us it was pouring with rain, but even that could’t spoil our enjoyment of the gorgeous panorama.
After this unofficial viewpoint you’ll start winding your way gently up the mountain on a very narrow path. There is quite a big drop to your right, but the path is well maintained and it would probably only worry you if you suffer from vertigo.
For me this was my favourite part of the whole walk. You are right on the edge of jaw-dropping views and the easy going incline meant you could fully appreciate every last minute.
It’s a stunning section of track that I didn’t want to end! As you get higher and head round a bend you’ll also get to see the mountains on the other side, which were beautiful despite the thick cloud surrounding them.
After 600m of glorious switchbacks, you’ll be standing on the summit.
Just before you reach the summit, there’s another great view on the right. You’ll see the obvious path and it takes less than a minute to get there.
The Rocky Mountain summit
The summit is quite a large grassy area with 360 degree views. However, the size of it means that it doesn’t have that edge of the world feeling.
Nonetheless the views of the Southern Alps and Mount Aspiring are magnificent, and if you luck out with the weather it would be a great place to sit and have a picnic.
For us it was pretty wet and we decided to forgo the chance to watch sunset and head down a little bit earlier than planned.
In the end that turned out to be a good plan because we took the Western Track back which had a dodgy muddy section on the descent.
For this reason, unless it’s really dry, we’d recommend first following the Western Track, but diverting back on to the Eastern Track at the junction (we’ll give more details below).
This means you’ll get to see different scenery and have an easy first half of the descent, but cross over to the better track before hitting the mud slick and the part where the path becomes a waterfall - yes literally!
Descending the summit via the Western Track
Rather than retracing your steps we’d definitely recommend starting your descent on the Western Track, the path is easy and the scenery is great. The first 500m is on quite steep narrow switchbacks.
The odd bit was muddy and a little slippery, but generally it was easy, and in the dry it would be even better. You’re looking out on the mountains and it continues to have fabulous views.
The next couple of hundred metres are downhill but on a much less steep gradient, and you’ll then reach a junction. You can either follow for the car park via the eastern or western route. We’d recommend switching to the east here unless it is very dry.
The mud slick and the waterfall (the Western Track)
For roughly the next 560m the path is great. But then you hit the forest and more notably the waterfall.
It’s worth noting that we were walking after heavy rain, and I have nothing to compare it to, so I don’t know whether it’s normally just a trickle… or nothing at all… but for us it was a bit of a shock!
The path no longer looked like a trail, but a small waterfall.
We began carefully descending the very slippery rocks and if you go carefully it can be done with no problems, but your boots will flood and you’ll have to squelch back to the car.
It is only 600m through the waterfall, but unfortunately following the waterfall the path got a lot worse!
A couple of hundred metres later you’ll reach a very muddy steep descent. The first part of the path had been washed out and was extremely slick. Luckily there are lots of trees and roots to grab onto, which were lifesavers when you felt your feet skid.
The first bit is the worst and once you’ve got over that steep bit, you have 200m of muddy switchbacks. They are slippery but definitely not as bad. Walking poles would have been very useful here!
Just 100m after you finish the mud descent you’ll reach the gravel path again. From here it’s an easy 1.5km back to the car park along the gravel path you walked in on.
All in all, this is such a fantastic walk, the scenery is spectacular and it’s not overly strenuous. We walked it comfortably in 3 hours and that included lots of photo and video taking, as well as navigating the mud slick which slowed us down!
Essential information about the Rocky Mountain Summit Track
Walking the track in wet/icy conditions
As mentioned we would avoid the latter section of the Western Track in the wet. There are also some short sections of wet rocks on the Eastern Track.
DOC recommends not attempting this trail in icy conditions. As it is narrow and steep in parts, a tumble could be a major issue. Although we hiked in winter, we didn’t face ice, but having walked the track I can see why it is not recommended.
If you’re not sure about the conditions, give the DOC office in Wanaka a call. They are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the tracks and the current conditions.
Bring layers with you at any time of year as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
Getting to the trailhead
The trail begins at the Diamond Lake Conservation Area. It’s 18.5km west of Wanaka on the Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road. The road is sealed until just before the car park, when it becomes a good gravel road.
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