The Lake Alta hike Queenstown is a brief and easily-accessible alpine hike positioned excessive up on the Remarkables Mountain Vary above Queenstown.
Lake Alta Hike Queenstown results in arguably, probably the most lovely alpine lakes in South Island New Zealand. Sitting on the base of a small dome of jagged peaks, the lake is so picturesque that it was featured within the Lord of the Rings as Dimrill Dale. The quick however rewarding hike is usually thought of among the best Remarkables climbing trails.
Even should you’re not a LoTR fan (how might you not be), a drive up the Remarkables vary and a brief 1-hour return hike to Lake Alta must be on anyone’s Queenstown bucket checklist.
Attending to the Lake Alta Observe
Entry to the Lake Alta hike Queenstown is positioned immediately from the automobile park on the Remarkables ski space. Getting right here takes roughly half-hour from Queentown central.
You’ll want to show off on State Freeway 6 (SH6) on the signposted junction to the ski space. From right here, it’s a steep, winding, however well-maintained street that climbs all the way in which up the mountain slope.
Driving as much as the Remarkables is a little bit of an journey in itself, and the views are definitely a warm-up for issues to come back.
The street is steep, nevertheless simply managed in a 2WD within the hotter months. In winter or after a snowfall, you will have to have snow chains fitted. There are a number of chain-fitting aisles to drag into on the way in which up and on the base.
Remarkables entry street Price: $10 per automobile solely throughout the Summer season months (16 December to 30 April)
READ MORE: COMPLETE LIST OF BEST THINGS TO DO IN QUEENSTOWN
Alta Hike Queenstown Data
After making it to the skifield carpark, we discovered a signpost with path info instantly after turning proper up the pedestrian roadway.
That is in actual fact, the trailhead. The beginning of the hike, subsequently, includes some street strolling as much as the ski fields earlier than persevering with on to the fitting, up a slope, and over a well-marked path.
Hike Size and Period: 3.5KM (1 hour) return to the Lake. 5KM (1.5 -2 hours) return to the saddle viewpoint.
Problem: Simple
Lake Alta Elevation: 1850M
There are a number of small and mild creek crossings earlier than reaching the Lake Alta, however they’re simply managed with out getting moist.
The observe is pretty steep your complete means as much as the lake, gaining roughly 220M of elevation from the carpark to Lake Alta. To the saddle viewpoint, count on one other 150M of elevation to achieve simply over 2000M.
Extra info and up-to-date observe standing might be discovered on the official DOC web site.
Don’t miss the Ben Lomond Hike from Queenstown
Lake Alta Hike GPX Map
Beneath I’ve included the Lake Alta GPX route that I recorded on my Garmin watch. This observe is perhaps helpful for these looking for the way in which as much as the perspective on the saddle. Nevertheless, keep in mind that circumstances change and also you shouldn’t rely purely on GPX.
GPX File: Obtain
My Strava: Go to
Finest Lake Alta Viewpoint: The Saddle Scramble
We had heard that it was doable to make a simple scramble as much as the overlooking saddle immediately north of Lake Alta. We couldn’t see a marked path, however we figured we might strive our luck by strolling up the rocks to the plain rocky outcrop underneath the saddle.
As soon as we approached the rocks, we might make out a transparent scrambling route all the way in which to the highest of the sleek, grassy saddle to the fitting.
To seek out the precise route that we took, confer with the GPX file or my Strava above. Observe that because it’s not a DOC observe, you’ll want to try this at your individual threat. In saying that, we thought of it to be straightforward and comparatively protected, a minimum of in Summer season. I’d imaging that it’d be slippery and much more harmful in Winter.
DON’T MISS: 8 BEST HIKES IN QUEENSTOWN
View From the Prime
After a brief however steep scramble, we have been rewarded with unbelievable views of Lake Alta beneath us. On the opposite facet, there are uninterrupted views of Lake Hayes, the Kawarau River, and even the giants on the Mount Aspiring vary poking above the Coronet Peak ski fields past the valley.
RELATED POST: The place to Keep in Queenstown
Extra Epic Queenstown Hikes
I hope that this information to the Lake Alta hike Queenstown answered all of your questions and impressed you to go to this Queenstown gem. For extra footage, scroll to the underside of this web page, the place you’ll additionally discover hyperlinks to extra epic hikes round Queenstown reminiscent of Ben Lomond, Moke Lake, and Queenstown Hill.
Alternatively, take a look at this mega-list to the 31 Finest Hikes within the South Island.
The place to Keep in Queenstown
I’ve written a separate, complete lodging information to the very best locations to remain in Queenstown– be certain that to test it out get a a fantastic deal! In any other case, under is a fast abstract of my top-picks.
Finest Luxurious Lodging: Shotover Penthouse & Spa
Shotover Penthouse & Spa is an unbelievable condo that options an outside terrace with a barbecue and sizzling tub. It’s located 200m from the Skyline Gondola and Luge and is 1.3km from the Shotover river.
Finest Worth Lodge: Melbourne Lodge
Melbourne Lodge is positioned 5 minutes stroll from central Queenstown. It provides picturesque views of the Exceptional mountains and has a big shared outside sundeck.This can be a nice alternative for the place to remain cheaply in Queenstown. This lodge is appropriate for households or these travelling solo on a funds.
The place I stayed: Spaceship Automotive
Throughout my latest go to to New Zealand, I cruised round in model in a Spaceship rental automobile. These are nice for funds journey vacationers because you’ll get your lodging and transport ticked off in a single neat bundle.
Most cost-effective Hostel in Queenstown: Base Backpackers
Queenstown is understood for lots of issues; adrenaline sports activities, epic day hikes, and superior nightlife. What it’s not recognized for is something to do with the phrase low cost. In saying that, should you guide forward, you’ll nonetheless have the ability to get a dorm mattress for underneath $25NZD at Base Backpackers.
Lakefront Hostel with a Vibe: YHA Queenstown Lakefront
YHA reverse the unbelievable Lake Wakatipu is without doubt one of the greatest and highest-rated hostels in Queenstown. In the event you’re seeking to meet different journey vacationers, be near the motion and like a cushty dorm mattress, don’t look previous YHA Lakefront
Extra Photographs of the Lake Alta Hike Queenstown
MY CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
For an inventory of all my advisable pictures gear (together with what I take advantage of and why) take a look at my information to digital camera gear for journey.
In the event you’d like to make use of any of the images on this web site, please go to my licensing web page to learn the way. I additionally promote skilled fine-art prints, go to my Print Retailer or contact me immediately for customs prints of any pictures on We Search Journey.
MORE EPIC HIKES IN QUEENSTOWN NEW ZEALAND
