Hike to Roy's Peak

This is a full day, "out and back", hike- averaging about 6 hours, including some breaks to take in the breathtaking views. It is advised to start the hike by 10am. Once parking in the car park, directly off the side of Mt Aspiring Road (a short 10 minute drive from downtown to Wanaka), hikers will start on the trail which is a switch back and moderately steep for the first few hours. The first part of the trail goes through private farm land so hikers will encounter cows and sheep (New Zealand's most beloved animal!). In the winter months, the trail may be covered with some snow but it is very well traveled and groomed so easy to stay on track. About 3 hours into the hike, hikers will reach a ridge outlook on their right-side where they can take a quick 5 minute detour to the lookout. This view gives you an incredible 360 degree panoramic view of Lake Wanaka and a sweet place to take a picture. If it is cloudy, wait a few minutes to see if it clears up because weather changes quickly in New Zealand and the view is worth the wait!From the ridge it is about another hour to the summit. The last part of the trail wraps around the back side of the mountain and then the final ascent is along a ridge. This can be a challenging part of the trail for those scared of heights or if there is a large snowfall. Take precaution while completing this part of the trail.The summit is marked by an electric tower at 1578 m (5,177 ft). It can get pretty windy at the top of the summit but make sure to snap a few pictures before heading back down.