Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Looking for the best backpacking in Mount Aspiring National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mount Aspiring National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Mount Aspiring National Park
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Makarora, New Zealand
Backpack the Gillespie Pass Circuit, New Zealand
5.044.7 mi / 4266 ft gainThe small township of Makarora West is the kickoff point for this 3-5 day circuit that guides you through a strikingly beautiful and wild corner of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. My tramping companion and I decided to hike the route anticlockwise, although the trail can be traveled in both dir...Read more -
Mount Aspiring, New Zealand
Hike to the Rob Roy Glacier
5.06.2 mi / 1625 ft gainFollow the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Rd. west of Lake Wanaka. The pavement turns into a dirt road shortly after you drive around the lake. You will drive for about an hour, then park at Raspberry Flats in the Matukituki Valley. From the Raspberry Flats lot, the trailhead begins at the swing bridge ab...Read more -
Mount Aspiring, New Zealand
Backpack the Matukituki Valley
5.024.9 mi / 4822.8 ft gainThe West Matukituki Valley is a playground for those who love the outdoors. There are 2 sub-alpine huts, one on either side of the river, that make great backpacking destinations. French Ridge Hut (1470m) and Liverpool hut (~1140m) are both about 40km return trips from the carpark, and each can b...Read more -
Cattle Flat, New Zealand
Climb the Buchanan Peaks above Lake Wanaka
5.018.6 mi / 8202.1 ft gainFrom 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...Read more -
Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Backpack the Brewster Hut Track
5.011.2 mi / 5656 ft gainTwenty kilometers north of Haast Pass (568m/1864ft) there is a carpark for Fantail Falls, a beautiful waterfall with numerous rock cairns displayed at its base. From here, take a 3-4 hour hike along Brewster Hut Track (more like climb) through beech forest and then alpine tussock to reach Brewste...Read more -
Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Backpack MacPherson Creek to Lake Barra
5.07.5 mi / 5249.3 ft gainIf you’re ready for an advanced challenge to suit any adventurous spirit and have the skills to navigate complicated terrain then the narrow MacPherson Creek drainage on the fringes of Mount Aspiring National Park may grab your interest. Diving in from the MacPherson Creek bridge on the Haast Roa...Read more -
Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
Roys Peak Track
5.06.8 mi / 4127.3 ft gainThis is a very strenuous uphill hike, with very few level stretches along the way, so make sure you have a good level of fitness, and wear sturdy shoes to avoid blisters, as the way back down will be hard on your knees and feet. The track begins on private land, which is grassy with lots of shee...Read more -
Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
Hike the Skyline Track
11.8 mi / 4000 ft gainThe Roys Peak carpark is an accessible trailhead 10 minutes outside of Wanaka that rewards anyone willing to spend a few hours slogging their way uphill with EPIC views of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding mountain ranges, and Aspiring National Park in the distance. For those who are interested in som...Read more -
Gladstone, New Zealand
Hike the Breast Hill Track to Pakituhi Hut
3.05 mi / 1312.3 ft gainFrom the road to Pakituhi Hut the track is a steady climb rising 400 meters on a formed zig-zag track to a small saddle. You'll get increasingly better views of Lake Hawea as you climb up the switch-backs, and you might walk alongside some sheep that make the uphill slog look much easier than it ...Read more -
Mount Earnslaw, New Zealand
Hike the Rees Track to the Cascade Saddle
5.033.6 mi / 4921.3 ft gainThe Rees Track and Cascade Saddle Route is located in the heart of Mt. Aspiring National Park. This backpacking trip brings together 2 different routes to make a unique and awesome trip through stunning mountain scenery, alpine vegetation, past the Dart Glacier, and over the unforgettable Cascade...Read more -
Mount Earnslaw, New Zealand
Climb Mount Earnslaw, Mount Aspiring National Park
5.016.8 mi / 8000 ft gainStart at the Rees Valley Trailhead, approximately 30 minutes from Glenorchy. The trail begins as a dirt road that passes through grazing land and small tributary creeks that flow into the Rees. The first 4.4 miles (7 km) of the trail hugs the Rees River and stays in the grassy and often boggy riv...Read more -
Glenorchy, New Zealand
Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn
8.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gainOnce you identify the parking area (Right turn off Glenorchy Paradise Road just before crossing the Earnslaw Burn, park a the bend in the road.) Cross the boggy meadow in a NW direction until you see the orange trail markers on trees.The trail below bush line is long, very rugged and covered with...Read more -
Kinloch, New Zealand
Backpack the Routeburn Track
5.012.5 miIf you're looking for the best the Routeburn Track has to offer but only have one night to spend - hike from the Glenorchy side Routeburn Shelter to Lake Mackenzie in 12.5 miles (approx. 3,500 feet of elevation gain) and stay at this stunning hut location before backtracking over Harris Saddle th...Read more -
Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Valley of the Trolls
1.9 mi / 1312.3 ft gainThe Valley of The Trolls can be accessed from the head of Lake Harris, off the Routeburn track. The trail in the valley is a lot tougher going than the well maintained Routeburn track. The valley floor will quickly become a swampy bog after a rain. Getting to the trail is easily done about 300 ...Read more