Roys Peak Difficulty – Worth It For Sunrise?

The Roy’s Peak Hike is one of the best in all of New Zealand. But what is Roys Peak difficulty and is it worth the effort? We spent 3 months traveling New Zealand in our campervan and loved our Roys Peak sunrise experience so much that it landed a spot on our recommended New Zealand travel bucket list. 

Located in the heart of the South Island right near Wanaka, this incredible hike is visited by tourists from around the globe who come to experience the brilliance of the panorama views atop Roy’s Peak. There’s a reason many people call Roy’s Peak the most Instagrammable place in all of New Zealand. 

We woke up pre-dawn to experience the Roy’s Peak sunrise, perhaps the best single sunrise location in all of New Zealand. The hike itself is extremely challenging, basically a stair-master for over 4 miles up. (More on that later). However, the view at the top is so much more than worth it. We haven’t seen a better sunrise in our whole lives, except maybe on top of Haleakala. It is a competition though, that is for sure.

While traveling New Zealand’s South Island, be sure to check out Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound for beautiful scenery, Mount Cook for awesome hiking, and Marlborough for wine tasting!

Now let’s discuss Roys Peak difficulty and if the hike is worth it to witness a Roys Peak sunrise.

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Hiking New Zealand’s Best Trail – Roy’s Peak

Hike Details

  • Distance: 9.7 miles out & back
  • Elevation Gain: Over 4,100 feet
  • Trailhead: Just outside Wanaka off of Mount Aspiring Road

Why Hike Roy’s Peak

Roy’s Peak difficulty is challenging because it is a 4,000 foot ascent. You hike that high for a reason. The bird’s eye view of the Lake Wanaka area and surrounding peaks is absolutely jaw-dropping. 

About 3/4 of the way up the mountain you’ll come to a viewpoint lookout. This is the perfect place to watch the Roys Peak sunrise if you are doing the pre-dawn hike like we did. Either way, you have to stop and take a photo here, the perspective is such that your whole body can be captured within the background of the lake. It is an incredible photo opportunity.

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The Roy’s Peak Viewpoint Landscape 

Roy’s Peak Difficulty

There’s no way to get around it. For most people, Roys Peak difficulty is hard! Mainly because it’s a steep climb for nearly 5 straight miles! 

The trail itself is really well maintained, so there’s nothing technical about it. From that perspective it’s easy. However, the steep steady climb will most likely have your legs and lungs streaming for a few hours straight.

Another thing to note about the Roy’s Peak difficulty is this hike has absolutely no shade! If you are hiking in the heat of the day that’s going to add a lot more difficulty to this hike. That’s another reason why we recommend making your ascend before the sun comes up.

We recommend hiking to the viewpoint for sunrise, and then continuing to the summit after watching the sunrise. This will save you time so you don’t have to wake up quite as early to catch sunrise. And it will break up your ascend to make it a little bit easier. Plus we think the view of sunrise is better from the viewpoint than the summit anyways.

The bottom line is, if you are planning to hike Roy’s Peak, be prepared for a good challenge. Anymore can do it if they truly put their mind to it. This hike is mind over matter! If you are a beginner hiker give yourself plenty of time to get to the top so you can take breaks as needed.

Roy’s Peak Sunrise

You’ll have to get to the Roy’s Peak trailhead at least 2 hours before dawn if you want to catch the sunrise. And that’s if you are hiking fast, at least 2 miles per hour, which is a good clip when you’re ascending 1,000 feet per mile. It would be better to reach the trailhead 2,5-3 hours before sunrise so you aren’t rushing up the mountain in the dark.

We made it to the viewpoint in a little less than 2 hours but we were booking it! Mainly because as the sun started to light the sky, we started to panic. The panic made us hike faster because there was no way we were going to miss the sunrise after all that effort.

This definitely added to our difficulty and if we were to do it again we would prefer to have 2.5 hours to make it to the viewpoint.

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Roy’s Peak Hike at Sunrise

Bring along a headlamp or flashlight to light the way, as you’ll need some light in the pre-dawn hours. Bring some breakfast as well, and more than enough water. We recommend 2 liters each. 

The other benefit of hiking at sunrise is that your return hike will feel like a whole new trail! You’ll get to enjoy the whole Lake Wanaka panorama on your return hike down the mountain. And you’ll be finished in the morning, you’ll have the entire day to chill in Wanaka and plan the rest of your New Zealand adventure!

The Roy’s Peak hike is top to bottom one of the most fantastic hikes in all of New Zealand. The Roy’s Peak sunrise brings this hike to the next level, making it one of the very best hikes on Earth. 

Roy’s Peak Hike Tips

Before you jet off on this difficult climb, you want to make sure you are prepared.

What To Pack

There are a few things you will want to pack for this hike.

  • Layers – especially if you are doing the hike for sunrise. You’ll be sweating on your way up, but then freezing as your waiting for the sun to come up.
  • Water – this is a long and challenging hike. Pack at least 2 liters of water for this hike.
  • Food – pack some food to fuel your hike. Plan to spend at least 5 hours on this hike! A snack or breakfast at the viewpoint while waiting for the sun to rise is a great idea.
  • Headlamp/flashlight – if you are hiking to see the sunrise at the top you’ll need some type of light to guide your hike.
  • Sunscreen – the trail has absolutely no shade and New Zealand’s sun is intense!

Parking

There is a parking lot at the trailhead, however it does fill up. Another reason to hike it for sunrise! There is a donation box at the trailhead asking for a $2 donation. 

Conditions

Of course you want to hike Roys Peak when the conditions are good. Check the weather before you hike and plan for a day with no rain in the forecast. Hiking this trail in muddy and slippery conditions would be rough.

A day with minimal cloud coverage will be best for the best views. If it’s a very cloudy day there’s a good chance the summit will be in the clouds. What a bummer that would be!

Enjoy Roys Peak

We sincerely hope you enjoyed this article on the Roy’s Peak hike at sunrise. Please pin the article to Pinterest using the images below!

8,137 thoughts on “Roys Peak Difficulty – Worth It For Sunrise?”

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  2. CBD for Anxiety as well as Anxiety: Picture that it is feasible to introduce one natural preparation into your everyday diet, which might confirm to be the trick to winning the defend a calmer life for individuals with depressive conditions. What if the addition of this prep work, produced on the basis of an increasingly popular as well as evaluated chemical substance of plant origin, is not just potentially extremely reliable, but is not related to the threat of negative effects regular of pharmacological medications? Is it also possible? Where’s the catch? Do you wish to know more? Read this write-up In this post we will cover: What is anxiety? THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences Depression and the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official meanings recommend that depressive disorders, likewise understood informally as depression, are defined by: unexpected clinical depression of an individual’s mood, in the negative direction, of modest to strong strength of the intensity of the knowledgeable adjustments, for more than a few weeks. There might be one or more factors for the event of modifications. It additionally occurs that it is tough to identify any indisputable factor. We extremely often encountered the declaration that it is a people disease of the 21st century – it affects both older and also more youthful people. Our education and learning is trivial for anxiety, not to mention our profits – it can impact anybody. Treatment of anxiety comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and also psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and more natural tasks connected to the climax of physical activity as well as the introduction of significant modifications in the daily diet regimen. It is as part of all-natural approaches of fighting as well as combating depression that the incorporation of cannabis preparations with cannabinoids normally taking place in the plant in the daily diet is getting a growing number of popularity on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in countless scientific researches as a possibly efficient cannabinoid in the therapy of depression. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical compound of plant origin. Surprisingly, depression is among the three most typical mental disorders in which individuals consider CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from customers and their favorable point of views on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or full spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are expanding at an unprecedented pace. THC and CBD cannabinoids – differences The primary cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well as CBD (cannabidiol). They show antagonistic impacts, which indicates that CBD reduces the results of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating result, causes a feeling of ecstasy, impacts cognitive features, but additionally unwinds. Large, consistently eaten dosages of THC are taken into consideration damaging to the human mind. Extreme consumption of THC can lead to psychosis, lack of motivation, as well as also long-term negative adjustments in cognitive feature. Both THC as well as CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their action, as currently mentioned, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing images, CBD slows down the deficiency of anandamide sources, as well as THC quicken this procedure. Nonetheless, this does not imply that THC is just a hazardous cannabinoid and also should not be in the preparation at all. However. Its small presence in hemp preparations is even needed in order to obtain the so-called effect. synergy. THC in full range hemp oil is present in such a minimal and also, notably, lawful amount. This amount is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not create intoxication. Collaborating, THC and CBD have better capacity than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its value for individuals suffering from depression? Continue reading! CBD, Depression and also the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system responsible for the regulation of standard human physical procedures, such as power monitoring, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, motor activity, mood as well as motivation, as well as fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is naturally created in the human mind. Its manufacturing is boosted by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a lower level by the supposed work with the body (massage!). Its sources are “used” to preserve the appropriate performance of the body, including in the field of psychological wellness. As displayed in this research study: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are related to a reduced threat of establishing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high degree of anandamide is likewise connected with a positive impact on the reduction of anxiety as well as stress and anxiety signs and symptoms. This system is still not fully recognized, but it appears rational that a highly clinically depressed mood in a private period for a specific case, and also with the simultaneous absence of actions targeted at its improvement, causes a concentration of the increase of unfavorable ideas. As depressive problems create, they can develop into much more harmful types of problems, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Slowing down this procedure as promptly as feasible might turn out to be critical in the efficient therapy of mental disorders of human performance.

    Reply
  3. CBD for Stress And Anxiety and Depression: Visualize that it is feasible to present one all-natural preparation right into your everyday diet plan, which could confirm to be the trick to winning the fight for a calmer life for individuals with depressive problems. What if the incorporation of this preparation, developed on the basis of an increasingly popular as well as evaluated chemical compound of plant beginning, is not just possibly extremely reliable, yet is not related to the danger of side effects normal of pharmacological drugs? Is it also feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know even more? Read this short article In this article we will cover: What is clinical depression? THC distinctions Anxiety and the endocannabinoid system What is anxiety? Official interpretations recommend that depressive problems, also recognized informally as depression, are characterized by: abrupt anxiety of a person’s state of mind, in the adverse direction, of moderate to strong intensity of the intensity of the skilled modifications, for more than a couple of weeks. There may be several reasons for the incident of modifications. It likewise occurs that it is difficult to identify any unequivocal factor. We really usually found the declaration that it is a world illness of the 21st century – it influences both older and also more youthful people. Our education is trivial for anxiety, let alone our revenues – it can influence anybody. Treatment of anxiety comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more natural tasks connected to the accumulation of physical activity and the intro of considerable modifications in the daily diet regimen. It is as part of all-natural approaches of fighting and neutralizing depression that the addition of cannabis preparations with cannabinoids normally taking place in the plant in the daily diet plan is acquiring more and more appeal worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in countless clinical researches as a potentially effective cannabinoid in the therapy of depression. Importantly, it is a 100 natural chemical compound of plant origin. Surprisingly, depression is among the three most common mental illness in which clients resort to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, full spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from customers and also their positive viewpoints on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are growing at an unmatched rate. THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The primary cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well as CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal hostile effects, which suggests that CBD decreases the results of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an intoxicating impact, creates a feeling of ecstasy, influences cognitive features, however likewise relaxes. Big, routinely eaten dosages of THC are thought about hazardous to the human brain. Extreme consumption of THC can lead to psychosis, lack of motivation, as well as even irreversible negative modifications in cognitive feature. Both THC and CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as currently stated, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating images, CBD reduces the deficiency of anandamide sources, and also THC speeds up this process. Nonetheless, this does not imply that THC is just a hazardous cannabinoid as well as should not remain in the prep work whatsoever. On the contrary. Its tiny visibility in hemp prep work is also necessary in order to obtain the so-called impact. harmony. THC in full range hemp oil is present in such a marginal as well as, significantly, legal quantity. This amount is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not cause drunkenness. Interacting, THC and also CBD have better capacity than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its importance for people dealing with anxiety? Keep reading! CBD, Anxiety and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a key system in charge of the regulation of standard human physiological procedures, such as energy administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune connections, electric motor task, state of mind and motivation, and also fat metabolism. The endocannabinoid system consists of a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is naturally created in the human mind. Its manufacturing is stimulated by e.g. physical activity, and to a minimal degree by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage!). Its resources are “utilized” to preserve the appropriate functioning of the body, including in the field of mental health. As displayed in this research study: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are related to a decreased danger of establishing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high degree of anandamide is additionally related to a positive effect on the decrease of clinical depression and also anxiousness signs and symptoms. This mechanism is still not fully comprehended, but it seems rational that a strongly clinically depressed mood in a private time period for a details instance, and also with the synchronised lack of activities focused on its improvement, brings about an aggravation of the influx of negative ideas. As depressive disorders develop, they can develop into much more unsafe kinds of conditions, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this process as swiftly as possible might turn out to be vital in the reliable therapy of mental illness of human functioning.

    Reply

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