Wanaka

Mount Aspiring National Park is a wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains, beautiful river valleys, and unforgettable views. At the northwest end of the park a number of good hiking tracks and short walks can be accessed from the small settlement of Makarora, which is 45 km from Wanaka. The Matukituki Valley 60km from Wanaka, along the western shore of Lake Wanaka also has a number of hiking tracks

Makarora
From Makarora there are tracks up the Wilkin Valley, with options to go on over higher passes and into alpine areas. In summer these tracks are suitable for people of average fitness and experience. The Gillespie Pass and Rabbit Pass Track is a round trip of 3 - 4 days from Makarora, linking the Young, Siberia and Wilkin Valleys via Gillespie Pass (1,490 metres).

There are several operators offering half and full day hiking trips, as well as multi day walks from Makarora. Several of the hiking trips also include jet boat riders and/or scenic flights.

Matukituki Valley
There are a number of well established tracks in the Matukituki Valley for short or long hikes. A popular day trip from Wanaka is a walk up the Rob Roy Valley. This track starts at the Raspberry Flat car park and allows hikers to walk up to the sub alpine herb fields of the Rob Roy Valley.

Another day hike (2-3 hours one way) is from Raspberry Flat car park to the historic stone Aspiring Hut overlooking the in the West Matukituki Valley floor. This can be extended to a two day hike by continuing on to either French Ridge Hut or Liverpool Bivy. Aspiring Hut is also the starting point to hike to the Rees/Dart valley system via Cascade Saddle.

Aspiring Hut can sleep up to 30 people, in the summer months there is a warden in residence to collect hut fees. Facilities at Aspiring Hut include gas cookers, solar lights, and flush toilets. A day shelter and campsite are located just a few minutes from the hut.