Wānaka · Hard · There and back

Isthmus Peak above Lake Hāwea

A long climb from the shore of Lake Hāwea to Isthmus Peak, on the neck of land between Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka.

Distance
15.8 km (9.8 mi)
Ascent
1,012 m
Time
About 7 h 30 min
High point
1,372 m
Grade
Hard

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

0 km5 km10 km15 km1,369 m383 m
Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.
Isthmus Peak above Lake Hāwea
новичёк · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The walk

From the car park beside SH6, walk to the signed start and cross the highway. The track climbs through trees and across farmland, then joins a rocky farm track that zigzags steeply up the face above Lake Hāwea, past several false summits, to the skyline ridge. At the junction turn right, away from the Glen Dene Ridge Track, and follow the ridge north to the summit, which looks down on both Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka. Return the same way.

It is 15.8 km there and back with 1,012 m of ascent; allow about 7½ hours. The grade is Hard: a long, steep climb on a rough farm track, with no water or shelter.

There is no lambing closure, but the track crosses Glen Dene Station and closes every year from 20 November to 20 December for deer fawning; from March to May there is safari hunting on the station, so stay on the track and be visible. Avalanches can cross the track from May into November, and low cloud can bring whiteouts on the tops. Dogs are not allowed.

The car park is beside SH6 north of Lake Hāwea township, about half an hour's drive from Wānaka; take care parking and crossing the highway. It is busy in spring while Roys Peak is closed. There is no public transport.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • The peak stands on the narrow neck of land between Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, and the top looks down on both
  • The lower track crosses Glen Dene Station, a working farm, before reaching the Matatiaho Conservation Area
  • There is no water and no shelter on the way: the climb is about 1,000 m on open, exposed ground
  • The car park is beside SH6 north of Lake Hāwea township, about half an hour's drive from Wānaka

Summits on the way

  • Isthmus Peak 1,390 m · passed close by

Getting there

Start: Isthmus Peak car park. -44.46639, 169.24764

Directions to the start

Google Maps Apple Maps

Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.