Dominating the eastern skyline of the village, Mount Wakefield is the peak everyone sees but few ever set foot on. In our opinion, it is the one of the finest day hikes in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park—a bold, "off the beaten track" mission for fit walkers who want to swap the crowds for true alpine solitude.
The Most Breathtaking Vantage Point
This isn’t a manicured valley walk. Mount Wakefield is a full-day guided experience that takes you 700 vertical metres above the valley floor to a spectacular panorama perched above the peak's mighty scree fans. From here, the scale of the Southern Alps is revealed in a way no valley trail can match.
The Mission: Expect a 7–8 hour return journey. It’s a physical day that rewards your effort with an unrivaled "front-row seat" to the giants of the Main Divide and the Tasman Glacier.
Your professional guide will navigate the best line through the wild terrain, sharing deep local knowledge of the park’s geology and history along the way.
We take care of the details—providing all the necessary gear and a high-country picnic lunch to fuel your ascent.
Best suited for fit walkers comfortable with a steady ascent.
We meet at Alpine Guides' base to ensure we are equipped and ready for the day.
It is a 10 minute drive to the start of the route.
The climb begins steeply, under remnant native beech forest, then through grassy meadows of Mt Cook Lilies and Celmisia.
Our stopping point, is on the ridge above the 700m high scree fans, which is the home to nesting pairs of NZ Falcons. The views of Lake Pukaki, Tasman Glacier, and the ice-draped peaks of the Main Divide are amazing, maybe the best in the Park.
Fit parties who move well on rough terrain may continue onto one of several small false "peaks" between 1,800m and 2,000m in elevation. Keep an eye out for the "Holy Rock"!
The descent is by the same route, taking between 7 to 8 hours in total.
This is an adventurous hike, with plenty of uphill travel.
Previous trekking/hiking experience is essential. Our walks involve leaving marked and formed trails. You must be confident with uphill and downhill travel, stepped, and natural surfaces.
You must have good aerobic fitness and be able to walk for at least 5 hours over the day, carrying a small backpack (4 to 5 kg).
Please bring:
We have rain jackets, pants, gaiters, backpacks, and hiking poles free to use.
