Last Updated: 9th Dec 2023

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Wanaka LRMI (Lake, River, Mt. Iron)

Wanaka, Otago

Submitted by Malcolm Law

Last Updated: 9th Dec 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 18 ?

Gnarl Factor: 11 ?

20.2km

390m

390m

548m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Coastal

Riverside

Run Makeup

15%
5%
20%
60%

Sealed Road

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +5.2%

Average Downhill Gradient: -5.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

3:00

Slow

2:15

Moderate

1:30

Fast

From the information centre keep the lake on your left and follow the path around the corner of the lake alongside Lakeside Road. After a few hundred metres veer left into the marina and pick up the Outlet Track at the end of this. Follow around Eely Point on sealed & gravel road to Bremner Bay where it becomes easy gravelled single track again.

At Beacon Point the trail widens to 4WD track that you follow all the way to the Outlet campground and the start of the mighty Clutha River. The next few kms are delightful riverside running on easy single track through largely kanuka forest. You'll run through an open area with car parking and sticking close to the river eventually come to the Albert Town road bridge. Just before you get to the bridge head right up the bank and follow the trail along the side of the Albert Town Tavern to Alison Avenue.

You are now about to run the first few kms of the UltraEasy 100k course. From the Tavern cross the road and run up Frye Crescent. This winds around the residential area going straight through a couple of 4-way junctions before becoming Quail Street. At the end of Quail St. turn left and cross the road to pick up the gravel track on the far side. Follow this along and up an embankment to reach Aubrey Road, where the trail crosses straight over.

This spits you out on to Ewing Place. Turn left and next right on to Old Racecourse Rd. In a couple of hundred metres you'll leave the pavement following the gravel trail on your right that takes you to the very base of Mt. Iron. Turn left and run under the impressive cliffs for a few hundred metres before turning right at the next junction (signposted Mt Iron Loop Track)

You will now climb steadily up the southern side of Mt. Iron and eventually break out on to the summit to drink in the awe-inspiring 360 views. When you've taken a few dozen photos follow the obvious trail off the hill to the north and descend, crossing a couple of stiles to almost the bottom of the hill. Here's there's another stile on your left - cross this and follow the trail down the last easy descent to the main road. Turn right and follow this down into town to complete your loop.

This trail includes the peak Mount Iron.

Lovely lakeside & riverside running plus spectacular 360 views from the top of Mt. Iron

Park wherever you can find a space nearby. There is plenty of parking but also plenty of tourists competing for it!

2 km

4 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

Well signposted, hard to get lost!

Generally good.

Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map

Carry your own

This is hard-packed trail that doesn't generally get too muddy, but it can get icy in winter particularly on the southern side of Mt Iron.

The Outlet Track is also used by lots of mountain bikers so keep an eye out for them. Run on the left as they are supposed to pass on your right.

Kai Whaka Pai
Cnr Ardmore St & Helwick Street
Classic Wanaka hangout with great outdoor pavement seating area and a good selection of craft beers as well as food including pizza.

Urban Grind
Ardmore Street, Wanaka
Good food and coffee and a good selection of beers.

Trail Legend

CG

Clare Gunton

has completed Wanaka LRMI (Lake, River, Mt. Iron) 4 times in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

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Trail Reviews

Great trail close to town when you don’t feel like venturing too far. Got it all views of the lake, river and mountains. Just be wary of mountain bikers on the river track as it gets pretty narrow in places. Remember to save some energy for the climb up Mt Iron towards the end.

Regan Parker

July 3, 2023

What a great tour of Wānaka! Especially recommended to visitors who want to pack in a lot of views.

Sierra Alef-Defoe

March 27, 2022

Great variety so the km just float past. Loved it. Based on comments above and the gpx meldown between my watch and watch app it would be good to send WT a new clean GPX.

Mike McManaway

February 25, 2022

All killer, no filler! Absolutely stunning run. Scenery is so mesmerising you can forget you're running at times! Mostly it's pretty easy going. I ran a few extra km to and from the start point, hence my slow time, but you want to savour every km on a run like this!
Mt Iron is a fun little climb when you've got 15km or so in the legs already, but so worth it, and great fun on the way down.
One little confusing detour in Albert Town I didn't quite understand, it seems like a right turn was meant to be a left. Probably worth an edit at some point since it doesn't seem to add anything to the run other than 200m of distance.
Bring your camera!

Adam Forwood

May 18, 2021

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