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  • Wanaka, New Zealand

    Looking for the best backpacking in Wanaka? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Wanaka. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Backpacking Spots in and near Wanaka

    • Glendhu Bay, New Zealand

      Roys Peak Track

      5.0
      6.8 mi / 4127.3 ft gain
      This is a very strenuous uphill hike, with very few level stretches along the way, so make sure you have a good level of fitness, and wear sturdy shoes to avoid blisters, as the way back down will be hard on your knees and feet. The track begins on private land, which is grassy with lots of shee...
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    • Glendhu Bay, New Zealand

      Hike the Skyline Track

      11.8 mi / 4000 ft gain
      The Roys Peak carpark is an accessible trailhead 10 minutes outside of Wanaka that rewards anyone willing to spend a few hours slogging their way uphill with EPIC views of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding mountain ranges, and Aspiring National Park in the distance. For those who are interested in som...
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    • Cattle Flat, New Zealand

      Climb the Buchanan Peaks above Lake Wanaka

      5.0
      18.6 mi / 8202.1 ft gain
      From Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately...
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    • Gladstone, New Zealand

      Hike the Breast Hill Track to Pakituhi Hut

      3.0
      5 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
      From the road to Pakituhi Hut the track is a steady climb rising 400 meters on a formed zig-zag track to a small saddle. You'll get increasingly better views of Lake Hawea as you climb up the switch-backs, and you might walk alongside some sheep that make the uphill slog look much easier than it ...
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    • Mount Aspiring, New Zealand

      Backpack the Matukituki Valley

      5.0
      24.9 mi / 4822.8 ft gain
      The West Matukituki Valley is a playground for those who love the outdoors. There are 2 sub-alpine huts, one on either side of the river, that make great backpacking destinations. French Ridge Hut (1470m) and Liverpool hut (~1140m) are both about 40km return trips from the carpark, and each can b...
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    • Mount Aspiring, New Zealand

      Hike to the Rob Roy Glacier

      5.0
      6.2 mi / 1625 ft gain
      Follow the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Rd. west of Lake Wanaka. The pavement turns into a dirt road shortly after you drive around the lake. You will drive for about an hour, then park at Raspberry Flats in the Matukituki Valley. From the Raspberry Flats lot, the trailhead begins at the swing bridge ab...
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    • Makarora, New Zealand

      Backpack the Gillespie Pass Circuit, New Zealand

      5.0
      44.7 mi / 4266 ft gain
      The small township of Makarora West is the kickoff point for this 3-5 day circuit that guides you through a strikingly beautiful and wild corner of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. My tramping companion and I decided to hike the route anticlockwise, although the trail can be traveled in both dir...
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    • Mount Earnslaw, New Zealand

      Hike the Rees Track to the Cascade Saddle

      5.0
      33.6 mi / 4921.3 ft gain
      The Rees Track and Cascade Saddle Route is located in the heart of Mt. Aspiring National Park. This backpacking trip brings together 2 different routes to make a unique and awesome trip through stunning mountain scenery, alpine vegetation, past the Dart Glacier, and over the unforgettable Cascade...
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    • Mount Earnslaw, New Zealand

      Climb Mount Earnslaw, Mount Aspiring National Park

      5.0
      16.8 mi / 8000 ft gain
      Start at the Rees Valley Trailhead, approximately 30 minutes from Glenorchy. The trail begins as a dirt road that passes through grazing land and small tributary creeks that flow into the Rees. The first 4.4 miles (7 km) of the trail hugs the Rees River and stays in the grassy and often boggy riv...
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    • Glenorchy, New Zealand

      Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

      8.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
      Once you identify the parking area (Right turn off Glenorchy Paradise Road just before crossing the Earnslaw Burn, park a the bend in the road.) Cross the boggy meadow in a NW direction until you see the orange trail markers on trees.The trail below bush line is long, very rugged and covered with...
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    • Kinloch, New Zealand

      Backpack the Routeburn Track

      5.0
      12.5 mi
      If you're looking for the best the Routeburn Track has to offer but only have one night to spend - hike from the Glenorchy side Routeburn Shelter to Lake Mackenzie in 12.5 miles (approx. 3,500 feet of elevation gain) and stay at this stunning hut location before backtracking over Harris Saddle th...
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    • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

      Backpack the Brewster Hut Track

      5.0
      11.2 mi / 5656 ft gain
      Twenty kilometers north of Haast Pass (568m/1864ft) there is a carpark for Fantail Falls, a beautiful waterfall with numerous rock cairns displayed at its base. From here, take a 3-4 hour hike along Brewster Hut Track (more like climb) through beech forest and then alpine tussock to reach Brewste...
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    • Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

      Valley of the Trolls

      1.9 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
      The Valley of The Trolls can be accessed from the head of Lake Harris, off the Routeburn track. The trail in the valley is a lot tougher going than the well maintained Routeburn track. The valley floor will quickly become a swampy bog after a rain.  Getting to the trail is easily done about 300 ...
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