Your Guide to the Best Gravel Running Trails in Wanaka

With perfect gravel trails starting right from town there's no excuse not go for a run when you're in Wanaka. With the obvious exception of Mt Iron, the trails are easy and fairly level. If you're feeling up for a serious hill challenge you can always run up Roys Peak to see the sunrise.

Here are the local 'go to' gravel trails suggested for you by the keen gravel runners at Outside Sports Wanaka.

Get directions to Wanaka trails

This is a beautiful trail that winds its way for 15 km alongside Lake Wanaka to finish the lovely Glendhu Bay campground. It’seasy running most of the way but there are a couple of gnarly steep sections where the gravel surface is quite loose and tricky. Also, as it’s a dual use trail make surekeep an eye out for mountain bikers– especially at the many blind corners. 

You can start your ride to Glendhu Bay anywhere along the lake at Wanaka town and head to the left as you’re looking at the lake. You’ll pass the famous ‘That Wanaka Tree’ as you head out and pick up the lakeside trail a bit after that. Roys Peak is around half way to Glendhu Bay, but the Peak track isn't accessible from the lakeside gravel trail.

In the opposite direction to the Glendhu Bay Trail you’ll find the Wanaka Outlet Track. This is a beautiful 10km scenic run that first hugs the lake and then the Upper Clutha River, ending at the road bridge at Albert Town.  

You can start anywhere along the lake front at Wanaka and head off to your right passing through Dinosaur Park, and the Wanaka Boat Club to reach to trail. From there just follow the clearly marked track alongside the lake and then the river all the way to the Albert Town bridge.  

This two-way trail is suitable for everyone in the family – just be careful of mountain bikers who also using the track. 

The trail runs northwest along the shoreline of Lake Hawea from the Hawea Village. It’s 8-10km one way depending on where you finish. Warning: prepared for absolutely mind blowing scenery!

Here’s good option for a quick hill workout very close to town, with the bonus of spectacular views of Wanaka.It’s a 4km loop with an option to extend by around 2kmrunning there and back from town. Mt Iron isbest run anticlockwise for better views – and it's abit steeper in that direction. Start at the carpark on Highway 84, which is about 1km from Wanaka town centre and follow the signs inside the gate.

You can add this run to the Clutha Outlet Trail to give yourself a much longer out and back run. This trail starts at the Albert town road bridge. You go under the briedge and continue along the river to the famous one-way 'Red Bridge' at Luggate.

The distance is 16km one way and it's mostly level running near the cliff's edge. But don't worry it's not scary close to the edge and the views are epic.