11 October 2026
Showers about the Divide, clearing early evening, otherwise fine.
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1 / 59Diamond Lake and Hospital Flat conservation areas
Rocky Mountain Track
This circuit winds its way around Rocky Mountain. There are outstanding views of Lake Wānaka and surrounding mountains.
Distance
7 km
Walking time
3 hr from car park
Difficulty
Easy
Dogs
Not allowed
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Alerts and track conditions
No active alerts found. Conditions can still change, so check again before leaving.
Weather outlook
Southern Lakes forecast
Issued 10 Oct 2026, 9:23 pm
12 October 2026
Fine.
13 October 2026
Rain developing.
14 October 2026
Heavy rain easing to showers. Snow lowering to 1900 metres.
15 October 2026
Showers developing. Snow lowering to 1100 metres.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Rocky Mountain Track on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About Rocky Mountain Track
The Rocky Mountain trail is a short, steep, yet equally stunning alternative to the increasingly popular Roy’s Peak Track, providing stunning 360-degree views of Lake Wanaka and its surrounding area. A short drive from Wanaka and just down the road from Glendu Bay the trail is at first wide and well-maintained as it is shared with the Diamond Lake track , however, on reaching the lake the trail starts to narrow and ascends quickly via a number of stairs to a lookout over Diamond Lake. At this point you can choose to reach the summit via either a left or right loop to the top, both are quite steep, exposed in areas, and can be challenging for inexperienced trampers, good footwear is advised. Follow the DOC Markers (orange triangles) for guidance to the summit. An alternative if the trail exposure or conditions are too much, is to head east out to the Lake Wānaka Lookout .
Essential information for Rocky Mountain Track
The full summit trail is approximately 3hrs return over 7km with 350m of elevation. The track to the summit is steep, uneven and exposed in several places. Only recommended for fit and experienced trampers with good footwear. Care should be taken in wet weather as the track can become muddy and slippery. There is no shelter at the top so prepare for exposure to the weather.
Getting there for Rocky Mountain Track
Drive west out of Wanaka towards Glendu Bay and Treble Cone Ski field. After 20-30 mins you should pass through Glendu Bay. The road will then leave the lakeshore to enter the Hospital Flat Conservation Area. The Diamond Lake Conservation area and carpark for Rocky Mountain is just a bit further on, down a small hill on the right-hand side. The carpark can get busy during peak holiday periods so either arrive early or, if it's full, head to the alternative parking space at the Motatapu picnic area about a kilometre further down the road. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there.
Helpful resources
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . Level up in your outdoor knowledge with these interactive online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel .
Dog access for Rocky Mountain Track
No dogs.
Before you walk Rocky Mountain Track
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.