The Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain Track is one of the most underrated hikes near Wanaka. The trail follows a figure-eight route around Diamond Lake, up to a beautiful lookout over Lake Wanaka, and then to the Rocky Mountain summit.

You'll see a mix of different and interesting scenery, such as native bush, rocky outcrops, and sweeping alpine views, which makes it a lovely alternative to other popular walks like Mount Iron and Roy's Peak Tracks.

Track overview

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 7km loop

Time: 3 hours

The track begins from the far end of the carpark and quickly climbs towards Diamond Lake, which is stunning and known for its mirror-like reflections when the weather is calm.

Before halfway you'll reach the Lake Wānaka viewpoint. Lots of people choose to turn back at this point, but I really recommend continuing onto the Rocky Mountain summit, which has even more magical views. But I highly recommend continuing to the Rocky Mountain summit! The extra effort is so worth it for the magical views over the lake, Mount Aspiring National Park, and the Southern Alps

The whole hike is 7.3 km and takes around 3-4 hours. It has an elevation gain of 520m - if you're fit, I don't think you'll find it very difficult. If you don't walk/hike regularly, it's still very manageable, but steep.

How to get there

You'll need a car to reach the trailhead, and I highly recommend one when travelling through Wānaka. Drive 20 minutes from Wānaka along Mount Aspiring Road. The road is fully sealed, and the parking area is well-marked within the conservation area.