Lake Nerine Circuit Trek
The Lake Nerine Trek is a remote wilderness journey into the depths of Mount Aspiring National Park. A rare circular route, this alpine crossing connects two of the region’s most beautiful valleys takes you well off the beaten track. The highlight is visiting Lake Nerine with it’s rugged glacier carved rocks. An excellent place to watch the sunrise high above the valley floor.
Trek Itinerary
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Lake Nerine](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDU1OjMwNTM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Lake Nerine Circuit 1")
Travelling from Wanaka through to Glenorchy, we head towards the Lake Sylvan Campsite and the start of the trail up the Rockburn Valley.
After a few hours, we reach Theatre Flat and prepare to camp for the night.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Park Pass](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDY1OjMwNTE=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Lake Nerine Circuit 2")
The next day heads to the head of the valley and up to Park Pass, the divide overlooking Fiordland National Park. For the energetic, you can drop packs and take the side Trip up towards Park Pass Glacier before heading along the tops to camp at Lake Nerine. Early in the season, there will still be snowbergs floating in the lake.
From the lake, it is a short hike to a pass. The route then sidles under Nerus Peak to North Col and the descent into the North Branch of the Routeburn. There are excellent Bivi rocks or you can continue to the flats, under Mount Somnus.
On the final last day, you will continue down the valley before rejoining civilisation for the well trodden Routeburn Track back towards Glenorchy.
Fitness and Difficulty Requirements
Trekkers need to be able to undertake big ascents and descents of up to 1000m in a day with 15kg packs and have experience wilderness camping.
Requires recent experience in off-track trekking. This includes movement over scree, boulders, and tussock slopes.
What to Expect
There are no formal tracks through the alpine section of the route. You will be camping and need to be prepared to carry personal and group equipment and food. There are multiple unbridged stream and river crossings and feet may get wet.
Trek Pricing and Details
| Duration: 4 days |
| Maximum ratio: 1:4 |
| 2026 Dates and price: |
| Get in touch to arrange private trips from January to March. |
See Also
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Brewster Glacier Trek](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NTUzOjE5NjM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Lake Nerine Circuit 8")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Gillespie Pass Trek](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NTU4OjE4NTE=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Lake Nerine Circuit 9")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Adeladie Cirque Trek](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NTYzOjE4NjU=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Lake Nerine Circuit 10")
‘A very professional guide and great company. He took time to explain to us what walks were possible/practical each day depending on the weather and the impact it would have on the surrounding rivers. If you are city dwellers it is very comforting to know that your guide is thinking of the safety of the group. [He] certainly kept us well fed as well. We are looking forward to future trips in the beautiful mountains around Wānaka which is a refreshing change and takes us out of our comfort zone for a few days at least.’
— Michael, Siberia Hut Trip
‘Thank you again. That was an awesome day out and I really appreciated how generous [our guide] was with his time and knowledge. He crammed in more than I thought possible in a day.’
— Megan, Remarkables Alpine Rock Climbing Course
‘It was 4 days I’ll never forget! The experiences I had I only want to grow on. I set out to accomplish a task, but I got so much more! You showed me a whole new world with your sport and I can’t thank you enough! Thanks so much for doing a great job at coaching someone who had no idea what they were doing lol. I work with some great leaders so I know one when I see one! I am a beginner climber and he gave excellent instruction on how to be safe while taking me out of my comfort zone. I’ve found a new love for this sport and it’s thanks to him! Absolutely exceeded my expectations!!! Thanks Wanaka Mountain Guides!
— Landen, Mitre Peak Ascent
