Wanaka isn’t short on hiking options, and Aspiring Hut is just one of the many options in the area. What it offers is an easy overnight adventure into the New Zealand backcountry suitable for beginners and families with small children with views to rival any of the nearby trails
Time to complete
1-2 Days
Accommodation style
Back-country hut OR Camping
Track type
Return via same track
Distance
18km+ return
Difficulty
Easy
Bookings required
Dec-Apr
Walk through the incredible Matukituki Valley
An easy overnighter suitable for all ages
See the Rob Roy Glacier
Immerse yourself in pristine forests
Plenty of additional side trip options
Aspiring Hut is a historic stone hut which acts as a start or finish destination for groups ranging from alpine adventurers to young families. The relative ease of access and elevation profile makes it an excellent destination for those who are new to hiking and also those with young children. Despite this, the trail has enough to keep anyone engaged and walking in the bottom of the valley is sublime. Mountain rangers tower to more than 2600m all around and with the valley floor being 300-500m above sea level the height difference is immense. There are side trips with excellent forest floors, the impressive Rob Roy Glacier and most importantly, Aspiring Hut is a modernised comfortable hut to call home for the night with a roaring fireplace to keep you warm.
Track condition
-Generally well taken care of trails, about half of which are on a 4WD track
-One wet/boggy grassy area just before the hut
-Side tracks have well taken care of trails in well draining soils
Optionals
-Explore the exceptional native forests behind Aspiring Hut on a well formed track
-Side trip to view the Rob Roy Glacier (2 hours return)
-Spend an extra night and do a day/overnight trip to the nearby Liverpool Hut (3-4 hours each way)
This track starts and ends at the same location making track transport very easy. Being just over an hour drive from Wanaka it’s only a short drive if you have spent the night there, and for backpackers with no transport there are also shuttle bus companies that frequent this area.
Trail Start/Finish location: Raspberry Creek Carpark
-Huts:
Aspiring Hut is well equipped hut with good facilities and Gas hobs included. It is a popular destination throughout the warmer months, especially during weekends so it will be ideal to book in advance.
-Camping:
Camping spots are a short walk from the hut and have their own facilities to use.
-Booking:
Bookings required December - April
First come, first served May-October
-Back-country hut pass:
Can not be used
The elevation of this track doesn’t go above 500m a.s.l. unless some of the side trips are taken. Therefore no special gear should be needed and just rain gear and sleeping equipment for the forecasted weather will suffice.
Summer | Example packing list
Spring + Autumn + Winter | Example packing list
The track to Aspiring Hut can be walked year round however if taking any of the side trips, care should be taken. There is significant avalanche danger in the track directly beyond Aspiring Hut.
Department of conservation website | Aspiring National Park Weather
9km | 2-3 Hours
2-3hr
The track starts at the Raspberry Creek Carpark and makes its way West into the Valley on a farm/4WD style track with a few small climbs along the way. Eventually, the national park boundary is met and from here the track is more often single track and relatively flat.
Optional - Additional 2hr return
A side trip to see the Rob Roy Glacier is highly recommended if you have the time. Cross the suspension bridge and head into the forest to make the climb following the well formed trail
Optional - Additional 1-2hr return
There is a well formed track behind the hut that leads up the mountainside towards Cascade Saddle. Leave your pack at the hut to make the walking easier. Even spending as little as 20-30 minutes walking in this forest is well worth the effort. The tree line is met around 1000m elevation and the views over the valley from here are incredible.
Aspiring Hut with the camping shelter in the background
9km | 2-3 Hours
2-3hr
The track returns on the same track back to the carpark
The forest on the hillside beyond Aspiring Hut
Taken from the suspension bridge that leads to the Rob Roy Glacier
Kepler Track
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Milford Track
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