On Saturday 18 January, we set out to do the very promising Rob Roy Glacier hike which is lauded as one of the best day walks in the region and ultimately the country. Unfortunately, on the drive there, we learned that hike (in a heavily avalanche prone area) was closed for 9 months due to erosion.
Happily, the suggested alternative turned out to be an amazing hike. Even the consolation prizes in New Zealand are pure treasures. This one produced so many snapshots that I decided it was a good chance to take you on a virtual walk with us.
From the same car park as originally planned, we walked 9 miles in (and the same 9 miles back out) and spent nearly the whole time with eyes agape and our jaws on the ground.
The first part of the hike was across pastures right alongside the glacial Matukituki River, with low mountains and high hills rising up on all sides of the trail. The hills spouted countless waterfalls leading down to fill the river from every high spot.
Along the way we passed a view of Rob Roy Glacier with its waterfalls. It is truly awe inspiring and we look forward to the day in the future that we can do that trek.
We were now in the beautiful Matukituki Valley, part of Mt Aspiring National Park, and once we reached the Aspiring Hut, the scenery became utter magic.
Waterfalls are everywhere. Steep rocky cliffs, gentler green mountains, and snowcapped mountains litter the landscape. Glaciers seem to appear around every corner. The trail passes through small sections of bush (forest), over fields of flowers in meadows and always accompanied by the sound and the view of the grey blue combo of the braided river.
We can’t find words to describe the feeling of being amongst this awe inspiring scenery. We were both overwhelmed by our fortune to be passing through these extremely special places.
We picnicked in Pearl Flat, a meadow with stupendous views in every direction and dipped our feet very briefly into the river, finding that it is only slightly warmer than pure ice.
It took everything I had to not beg to keep going, despite lack of water or anywhere to spend the night. I know it gets more grandiose the further you go in and I’m tempted to try backpacking just to see the rest of this national park. Instead, we’ll return another day for another day hike.
We reluctantly turned back to experience it all again, but with opposite views this time looking out of the valley rather than deeper into it. (Although I will admit to more than a few return glances over my shoulder.)
Returning to the car park is bittersweet. Riding on an alpine high, happy for replenishing water but sad to leave the wonderland behind.
The drive home along the gravel road flew bumpily by all too fast as the scenic wonders started to fade in the rear view mirror. Soon we hit the paved road back and a return to the “just pretty” high hills and lake views of Wanaka.