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Wanaka. How could I wonder skip this place on my trip to New Zealand? I have never imagined travelling to New Zealand. Adventure, nature and trails would be the last choices I could make. I grew up in a big city, I rather go to shopping malls than walk in parks. Swimming pool instead of sea. Shopping instead of trails. But, when I saw pictures of Wanaka and the beautiful photo spot at Roys Peak, it occurred to me that I absolutely had to go there, no matter the adversities, including my lack of adventurism and physical conditioning. What makes the track so special? Throughout the tough ascent, you can enjoy magnificent views across Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountain ranges, including Mount Aspiring. Roys Peak is a 16km return hike, meaning 8km up and then, the same 8km down. There is an elevation gain of 1,228m. If like me, you have no idea what that means in real life terms, I can tell you now that that’s pretty steep. The track is well treaded and easy to walk along, in other hand, it is constantly incline. The closest town to Roys Peak is Wanaka (6km), but can be also easily reached from Queenstown (68km). From Wanaka, it is a 5 to 10 minutes drive on Mount Aspiring Road till Roys Peak Track car park, where the hike starts. The parking lot is free, however, there isn’t much parking space, so make sure to get there early to ensure your place. The recommended time to complete the hike is 5 to 7 hours. I have to admit, I was the one who had the idea of hiking the Roys Peak, but I was not sure if I could actually make it to the top. I was travelling with my boyfriend and his father, we were doing a motorhome trip around the south. When I found about the spot and showed them they were very excited, for my disappointment. So, I had to do it, even though I was not exercising recently. When we start the hike I was really mad and complaining about everything. They were way ahead of me. After the first hour and a half complaining and arguing with my boyfriend we stopped for a lunch break. I decided not to stop otherwise I would not make it. Suddenly, something happened, an extra energy came to me and I started to walk fast to the top. I never walked so in my whole life. I like to say that the New Zealand energy got me and I was suddenly an adventurer. The smell of grass, the wind, the sheeps grazing freely and the silence while hiking and admiring the great creation of God was breathless. The hike took us 7 hours. We brought sandwiches in our bags for lunch and some others snacks and bottles of water for our several breaks during the hike to catch our breath and take photos. Even though the pictures of the peak that we saw on the internet before we decide to do it were amazing, the hike was unexpected, way better than we could ever imagine. By the end, we were very tired but also proud of what we have done. So if you wanna experience something different, with the best view, you should definitely go hike the Roys Peak. Roys peak really offers a spectacular, almost 360° view of the Wanaka and Glendhu Bay, wich you cannot get if you do not go beyond our comfort zone. It is a view that we cannot see on a routine. That is why it is definitely a New Zealand must do activity.