New Zealand part 2: Bucket list hike Roys Peak
Among Wānaka’s many gems, Roys Peak stands out as a must-do hike, offering panoramic views that seem to stretch to infinity. I had seen pictures of this place many times and I was determined to experience it firsthand, regardless of the early hour we would need to get up. Somewhat lucky visiting in late autumn meant that the sun wouldn’t actually come up until 8:00. Nonetheless, we still faced a three-hour hike to reach the viewpoint before sunrise.
We embarked on our ascent up the mountain at 5 in the morning, underneath a sky full of stars and a near-full moon. The sky was perfectly clear, yet we observed a cloud inversion beginning to form over the lake nestled between the mountains. The hike started off steeply right from the moment we departed the parking lot, zigzagging its way up the mountain. Despite the darkness, we could see the headlights of a few fellow hikers who had set off before us, their journey seeming endless. We hiked a total of 1.3k in elevation over 8km; perhaps it was fortunate it was still dark, or I might have been tempted to turn back.
Finally, we reached the summit and found a comfortable spot to sit, awaiting the sunrise. The cloud inversion had transformed into a vast sea of clouds, enhancing the enchantment of the moment. Shortly after the first rays of sunlight touched the mountain, the small crowd dispersed, leaving us to take in the stunning view all by ourselves.
With the sun now illuminating our surroundings, we could fully appreciate the path we had traversed, marvelling at how we had conquered certain sections. On our descent, we encountered a small group of cows grazing near the path, high above the clouds. The steepness of the terrain made the hike down almost as hard as the hike up, and once we descended beneath the clouds, the sun disappeared from our view.
Undoubtedly, it was an unforgettable adventure, every step worth the effort.
