Hello and welcome! I'm an over fifty menopausal woman with a reasonable fitness level. I wouldn't say I'm unfit but I'm also not going to run any marathons anytime soon! I have short skinny legs so I figure this means I have to take more steps than a long legged person haha. But I'm very grateful for my little legs as they have taken me on a lot of hiking and photography adventures. So basically what I'm saying is, if I can do it then so can you :)
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Mt Iron, Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand
We've all seen the countless photos of people standing on Roy’s Peak overlooking Lake Wanaka haven't we?
Look, it’s not that I think I couldn't do the hike no matter how steep it is. It’s that I don’t think I could spare the amount of time it would take me to do it! According to the DOC website it’s a 5-6 hour hike. To compensate for my fitness level I always add another hour or so, plus I add in some extra minutes for the photo stops along the way. So that’s a massive commitment of time right?!
Look, it’s not that I think I couldn't do the hike no matter how steep it is. It’s that I don’t think I could spare the amount of time it would take me to do it! According to the DOC website it’s a 5-6 hour hike. To compensate for my fitness level I always add another hour or so, plus I add in some extra minutes for the photo stops along the way. So that’s a massive commitment of time right?!
So I did some research and found a good 3rd option.
(My 2nd option was the Rocky Mountain Track but this particular day was the last day of a few big hiking days so I needed something a bit easier!)
The Mt Iron track promised 360 degree views, only 1.5 hours of my time AND it is a loop track which is always a bonus. I love a loop track!
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When you drive into Wanaka from State Highway 6 (Wanaka-Luggate highway) you’ll see a little hill on the right hand side. Or some call it a rocky knoll.
This is Mt Iron.
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There’s a nice big carpark at the start of the walk, with plenty of space for a LOT of cars. Which surprised me cos I didn’t think the walk would be as popular as the more Instragrammable walks. (photos sourced from google maps)
Near the entrance of the walkway is a 2.7m high steel statue of a shepherd and his dog. The statue was unveiled in June 2012 and it commemorates the world's first recorded dog trials held at Dog Match Flat, Cardrona Valley Rd in 1867.
The start of the Mt Iron Track is easy to spot with plenty of the usual DOC signage.
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It was an easy steady climb to begin with.
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Make sure to stop every so often and turn around to look at the view behind you!
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The track gets a bit steeper and is also a bit rough in places with rocky patches. (Please note this was in October 2022 and after a few days of rain and snow.)
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I had my head down looking at my feet making sure I didn't slip. So was a bit surprised when I stopped for a rest, turned around and saw how high up we were!
The view was breathtaking!
It's always a welcome sight to see a seat for a rest on the climb up.
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One last little push and we got to the top where there were a bunch of information panels.
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And the views at the top were STUNNING! Like always these photos don't even do it justice.
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After I had snapped photos to my heart's content it was time to make our way down. We found the sign and started our trek down. Again some parts of the track were rocky so I was being very careful.
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We followed the sign for the car park. I believe there's another start to the Mt Iron track from Aubrey Rd but I haven't researched that, sorry!
Once again a seat was a welcome sight and this one had a nice view overlooking Albert Town.
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The rest of the trek down was pretty easy with signage to warn of cliff edges, some steps and a nice easy path.
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There was plenty of signage at the bottom of the hill to direct you either back to the Mt Iron car park or you could walk into Albert Town.
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The walk back to the car park was a nice easy flat track walking through bushes and then it came out into the open running alongside the busy road.
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Things to know for the Mt Iron Track, Wanaka
- I never like to say how long a track takes to walk because everyone walks at their own pace. But the DOC website states that the loop track is 4.5kms and takes 1 hour 30 mins.
- There's no fee to park your vehicle or walk the track.
- The track may be rocky in places so hiking boots or good shoes are recommended.
- It could get slippery after some rain or snow so watch your footing.
- Take a picnic or a snack, a drink and your camera and soak in the views.
- If you have room in your bag, take a pair of binoculars.
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Obviously I haven't hiked the Roy's Peak track and maybe one day I will. But if you are like me and can't commit the amount of time to it for now, then I reckon the Mt Iron track has just as lovely views!
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~ PLEASE NOTE: We completed this track in October 2022 so there might be changes to how it looks today. ~
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Thank you for taking the time to read about this hike. Check out all my other blog posts HERE. I'd love you to share this post and if you use my photos, all I ask is that you credit me please :)
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