Rob Roy Glacier Track

From the Raspberry Creek car park follow the West Matukituki Track up the valley floor for about 15 minutes, through a gate and over a stile. Turn right over the West Matukituki River on the swing bridge, then climb through a small gorge beside the Rob Roy Stream into beech forest to the lower lookout. Above it the track leaves the forest for alpine scrub and ends at the upper lookout, facing the hanging glacier and the waterfalls below it. Return the same way.

It is 10.5 km there and back with 481 m of ascent; allow about 4 hours. The grade is Moderate: a steady climb on a formed track, with some steep drop-offs.

Between the lower and upper lookouts the track crosses avalanche paths that DOC rates as complex terrain: from May to November end the walk at the lower lookout unless you are trained and equipped. Shaded parts are icy in winter and early spring, and the swing bridge takes only a few people at a time. Kea are often about; do not feed them.

The free car park is 54 km from Wānaka, about 1 hour 20 minutes' drive. The last 30 km are gravel, with fords that rise after heavy rain: if the last two are high, park before them and walk on. 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.