Climb the Buchanan Peaks above Lake Wanaka
Details
Distance
18.6 miles
Elevation Gain
8202.1 ft
Route Type
Loop
Added by Josiah Roe
Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Wanaka, Mt. Aspiring National Park, the Matukituki River valley, Colquhouns Beach, and the Rumbling Burn hanging valley free from the crowds typically found on nearby Roy's Peak. Pristine, white-sand beaches along Lake Wanaka make for a beautiful campsite.Duration: Overnight, unless you're very, very fit Track type: Gravel access road, unmaintained trail with moderate bushbashing, tussock, some screen, grassy farmland
From Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.
Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately 10 kilometers to the obvious Daniel Spur Track to the left. There are excellent campsites at the mouth of the Rumbling Burn, about a hundred yards downhill from the Daniel Spur Track.
Follow the unmaintained Daniel Spur Track uphill until it disappears. Follow the broken fence line until you gain Buchanan Low Peak, overlooking a small lake. From there it is a direct march across the ridge to Buchanan Middle Peak. Contour around to the right to approach Buchanan High Peak from the North.
To descend, from the High Peak follow the Southwest ridge; eventually you will reach a farm track. At 800 meters, head East about 2 kilometers, and drop down to the station road back out and around to the parking lot.
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Reviews
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Worth the muscle burn!
Josiah - Thanks for the review and fab photos! Of course photos don't do the views any justice. We did this yesterday, followed your route, we were rewarded with great weather and epic views the whole way. A tough day hike, 2 days is the right amount of time to make the most of being somewhere with not a soul in sight :P
5.0
Awesome
Wow, Awesome route! I wish I would have done this while I was in NZ. Spent a lot of time looking at those peaks from the lake.
5.0
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