Sunrise hike Roys Peak
3AM, hot coffee ready and about to take the local taxi from Wanaka to the bottom of Roys Peak; it’s time for a sunrise hike!
The hike
Lets start off by saying the hike to Roys Peak is quite steep, but in every case worth it. Starting around 3 to 4AM should be alright to start. Don’t go to early though, as it can be freezing cold up there waiting for the sun to come.
The way up is absolutely spectacular walking underneath the stars with flashlights off. After a good 2+ hours of hiking, you’ll reach the top which is marked with a radio tower. This is the best place to stand to watch the sunrise too, which will rise from the direction of Wanaka. Friendly reminder: do bring extra clothing (and maybe something stronger than coffee) with you, you’ll thank me later.
Going back down the mountain, you’ll have to take the same route. However, as you hiked up under the stars, you’ll have enough to see going down in the light!
View from the summit towards lake Wanaka
View towards the mountains (north-side)
The view
Talking about 360 degree views, Roys Peak is way up there! The view ranges from huge lakes, mountain ranges, the city of Wanaka and even snowy mountaintops in the distance. It’s no wonder Roys Peak is loved by travelers. As an award for your early rise, you’ll get full sunset colors, a big reveal of the surroundings and less traffic of fellow hikers. Hiking before sunrise is the better choice by far for both photographers as regular travelers.
Jump! Above the clouds the sun always shines
Wanaka
Can’t get enough of the view after coming back from Roys Peak? The local airport offers the opportunity to fly a plane (with an experienced pilot at your side), and you can bring a friend to enjoy the view and take some photo’s of you being a pilot! Not to bad, hey?
If you’re planning your trip right now, best of luck and have fun!
Cheers, Mike
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My name is Mike Tesselaar, in short MiTe. I’m a photographer from The Netherlands with a heart for traveling and adventuring.
I write blogs about photo- and videography, travel, freelancing and personal related stories. Hope you’ll find inspiration and feel welcome to stick around a little longer!