Rocky Mountain Summit Track - Diamond Lake New Zealand
Rocky Mountain Summit Track - Diamond Lake New Zealand
The Rocky Mountain Summit Track is a picturesque hiking trail in the Diamond Lake and Hospital Flat (Otago) nature reserve. A short but worthwhile mountain summit with a view of the beautiful lakes around Wanaka.
is a certain hiking parking space busy and you want to avoid the crowds and still on the trails? The Rocky Mountain Summit Track is a great alternative to the overcrowded Roy’s Peak Track with similarly spectacular views without crowds.
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About the hiking trails Rocky Mountain and Diamond Lake
There are two primary hiking trails in the Diamond Lake Conservation Area. On the Diamond Lake Lookout, however, they combine into a single, longer lane.
The return times from the Doc website are listed below. If you hike fit and regularly, you can count on halving these walking times. Diamond Lake Circuit Track: 45 minutes, 2.5 km
Diamond Lake Lookout: 1 hour, 2 km
Lake Wānaka Lookout: 2 hours, 5 km
Rocky Mountain Summit Track: 3 hours, 7 km
How to get to the starting point
All Rocky Mountain and Diamond Lake hiking trails begin at a large parking lot in the Diamond Lake Conservation Area, just 20 minutes from Wanaka.
To get here, take the picturesque Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road towards Treble Cone Ski Field. On the way you pass the Roy’s Peak parking lot.
Rocky Mountain Summit Track GPX card
Below is the GPX route that I recorded with my Garmin GPS watch. You can download the file by clicking on the link below.
gpx file: download
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What you can expect on the Rocky Mountain Summit Track
Hiking route: 7 km
Hiking duration: 2-3 hours
Height: 410 m profit: 775 m over NN
Light-Medium
The hiking trail to Rocky Mountain Summit begins with a gentle climb on the edge of the Diamond Lake. Soon the path goes into a steeper section with wooden levels.
These steps lead to the Diamond Lake Lookout.
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Diamond Lake Out viewpoint
This viewpoint offers a great view of the lake and the opposite mountain range. At this height you can also see the edge of the Lake Wanaka in the distance.
From here the path rises gently to the Lake Wanaka Lookout.
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Viewpoint Lake Wanaka
The higher you climb on this route, the better the prospects. The Lake Wanaka Lookout is no exception. The view of the Lake Wanaka is spectacular and offers great photo opportunities.
If you plan to hike to the Rocky Mountains summit, you don't need to make the detour to the Lake Wanaka Lookout, since it is essentially the same view.
If you have time and energy, I would strongly recommend driving to Rocky Mountain Summit, which realistically only has an additional 30 minutes from the sign to Lake Wanaka Lookout.
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Rocky Mountain-summit view
As soon as you reach a small flat section below the Rocky Mountain, you have the choice of taking two paths up. These two traces form a loop back to the summit.
I would recommend taking the left path for the ascent, as this ensures a more relaxed and more scenic ascent.
After only 100 additional meters of altitude, you will be rewarded with the view of the summit of the Rocky Mountain. In my opinion, this is one of the most underestimated viewpoints near Wanaka, with a clear view of the southern Alps, Mount Aspiring and the Wanaka Lake.
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More things about Wanaka and the South Island
I hope that you found this guide to hike on the Rocky Mountain summit and Diamond Lake tracks. If you have any questions or updated route information, please help other travelers by leaving a comment below.
Why do you not see the following list with other epic activities around Wanaka and the South Island of New Zealand or take a look at this post for the 31 best hikes on the South Island.
My camera and photo equipment
- Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
- drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
- landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
- all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
- telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
- Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
- landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
- Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip
A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.
If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
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