Exploring Rob Roy Glacier
Rob Roy Glacier is a stunning destination located in Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand. This glacier is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, including waterfalls, falling ice, and the presence of kea, the native mountain parrots. The area offers one of the most rewarding day hikes in the country.
The Scenic Hike to Rob Roy Glacier
The journey to Rob Roy Glacier begins at the Raspberry Flat car park. From here, the trail follows the West Matukituki Track through farmland on the south side of the Matukituki River. The river valley is surrounded by peaks reaching up to 2,000 metres.
After approximately 15 minutes, hikers arrive at a swing bridge crossing a wild section of the river. Beyond the bridge, the track ascends along the east edge of a deep gully carved by the Rob Roy Stream, primarily through beech forest. While the track is generally well maintained, some sections are exposed to a drop into the gully, so caution is advised.
Reaching the Glacier
The hike to the glacier viewpoint takes less than two hours, involving a 400-metre climb from the swing bridge. Once there, visitors can enjoy the majestic views of the glacier. For those with extra time, continuing the climb into the alpine meadow and shrubs for a picnic is a delightful option. The return journey is downhill and typically quicker.
As an alternative to the full hike, if time is limited, hikers can continue on the West Matukituki Track for a short distance to view the glacier high on the south side of Mt Rob Roy, which stands at 2,644 metres.
How to Get There
To reach Raspberry Flat, drive from Wānaka along the scenic Mt Aspiring Road to the car park at the end of the road in Mount Aspiring National Park. The drive takes about one hour, with the road turning to gravel after the entrance to Treble Cone Skifield. The final section is rough and narrow, with stream fords and potentially muddy conditions when wet. A standard 2WD car or van can usually navigate the road, but caution is advised.
Plan for a total trip time of over six hours, including two hours of driving from Wānaka and a four-hour walk. For those with a self-contained camper van, you can freedom camp overnight at the Raspberry Flat car park, though it can be busy during peak season.
Options with similar time requirements include the West Matukituki to Aspiring Hut and up the East Matukituki to Glacier Burn.
These walks are accessible year-round, as they are below the winter snow line. However, access is restricted to the lower lookout at Rob Roy Glacier from May to November due to avalanche risk. Always check the weather before embarking on this remote alpine adventure.
