Rocky DiamondBeginner
Submitted by Mal Law
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Very hilly
Native bushLakesideOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Beginner
2:00 (Slow)
1:30 (Moderate)
1:00 (Fast)
-19.1%
+18.1%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
The run starts with a short, fairly steep uphill section on a gravel access road. At the top of the hill turn left on to single track to skirt Diamond Lake.
Ignore the round-the-lake track for the moment and instead continue up hill to the viewing platform from which the first of many great vistas open up. Continue uphill past the platform and take the first left turn towards Rocky Mountain.
The trail continues uphill winding through bush, under a bluff and then out on to open country. More great views now open up. At the next junction take the left-hand trail signposted to Rocky Mountain via western track. This leads you to the top of this unimaginatively named summit and panoramic views over Lake Wanaka and up the Matukituki Valley to Mt. Aspiring in the distance.
Leave the summit on the northern side following the track downhill as it winds back on itself under the summit. Within a kilometre you'll come to another junction where you stay left and continue descending to the Lookout Track.
Here you should turn turn left for a very worthwhile short out-and-back to the Lake Wanaka Viewpoint. Having drunk in more spectacular views re-trace your steps and continue on downhill until you reach the lake again. As soon as you hit the bottom of the hill turn sharp left to do a quick loop of this small but sparkling body of water and follow the gravel road back to the car park.
Trail Community
Features of interest
One of the very best short runs in the country, the highlight of which is the stunning views from the top of Rocky Mountain.
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 20%
Moderate Single Track: 20%
Easy Single Track: 40%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 20%
Route Data
Reviews:
Photos:
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Access
Diamond Lake car park. Driving from Wanaka towards Mt Aspiring National Park it's a few kms beyond Glendhu Bay and a little before the Treble Cone access road.
Plenty of safe parking.
18 km
17 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Easy.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
All junctions are well signposted.
Generally good.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
There is no drinking water on the route. Carry your own.
The track can get very icy in winter as it sees very little sun at this time of the year. Micro-spikes are an essential for these conditions.
Ice in winter
-
Post run indulgence
Kai Whaka Pai
Urban Grind
Federal Diner
-
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Motatapu River Track
Ironside Hill
Rock Peak Track
Deans Bank Loop
Minaret Burn Track (short)
Wanaka Skyline Trail
Fern Burn Hut
Upper Clutha River Loop
Rob Roy Glacier Track
Motatapu Track - Full Monty
Wanaka LRMI (Lake, River, Mt. Iron)
Rock of Ages
Run Rabbit Run
Roy's Peak
Isthmus Peak
Luggate to Albert Town
Cardrona to Meg Hut
Jack Hall's Saddle
Little Criffel from the Larches
Mt Iron Loop
Liverpool Hut
Boundary Creek Track
Long Gully Loop
Hawea River Track
High on Hikuwai
French Ridge hut
Little Criffle A to B
Lindis Peak Track
Mt Pisa via Kirtle Burn Track
Butterfields Wetlands Loop
Matukituki Cascade Saddle Dart Epic
