Lake Alta Track: How to Hike This Stunning LOTR Filming Site

The Lake Alta Track in Queenstown, New Zealand offers a journey to a beautiful alpine lake nestled high up in the Remarkables mountain range.

We did this hike on our most recent trip to New Zealand. Dad and I returned to Queenstown to do some hikes we never got to experience on our first two trips, plus we were getting our legs warmed up for the Milford Track.

With an incredibly scenic drive to the trailhead, the fun starts before you even begin hiking. The lake itself, with its stunning mountain backdrop and crystal-clear water, also makes for the perfect picnic spot.

A trail suitable for all ages, which offers incredible alpine views, makes this one of the best hikes in Queenstown.

Table of Contents

About Lake Alta

Lake Alta is an alpine lake that sits at the eastern base of The Remarkables. With looming, snowy peaks providing the backdrop to this pristine blue lake, this makes for a great Queenstown hike in the summer months.

Lake Alta is found within the Remarkables Ski Area. In the winter you’ll find the slopes covered in snow, and the lake frozen over. Ditch your hiking shoes for skis and enjoy some runs down the slopes.

Lake Alta is also a filming location for Lord of the Rings. Fans may recognize the area as Dimrill Dale, where Aragorn leads the fellowship after fleeing the Mines of Moria in The Fellowship of the Ring.

Lake Alta Hiking Stats

This is an out-and-back hike. The following hiking stats are round trip from the parking lot located at the end of the Remarkables Ski Field Access Road:

Distance: 3.7 km (2.3 miles)
Total Ascent: 241 meters (792 feet)
Lowest Elevation: 1,595 meters (5,232 feet)
Highest Elevation: 1,809 meters (5,935 feet)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours

Lake Alta Track elevation profile

Map of the Driving Route and Hiking Trail

Below is a map of the driving route on Remarkables Ski Field Access Road to get to the parking lot and trailhead, plus the Lake Alta Track trail.

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

Things to Know Before You Hike

There is no shade along the trail or at the lake. So, we strongly recommend bringing sun protection with you.

While you will be hiking through a ski area, all of the ski facilities (including the restaurant) will be closed. So, be sure to bring water and snacks with you for this hike.

We did this hike in mid-December, at the start of New Zealand’s summer season. The lake was not frozen at that time, but we were told that the lake was still frozen at the beginning of December.

The Alta Lake Track is an easy trail that can be completed by those of all ages. You’ll find a steady, gradual climb the full way to the lake, but nothing strenuous. We also completed this hike in the morning, which we found was a great time of day for lighting.

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

Driving to the Trailhead & Parking Fee

To get here, route yourself on Google Maps to the “Remarkables Skifield Car Park.” This route is also shown on our map above.

From New Zealand State Highway 6, turn onto Remarkables Ski Field Access Road. You will arrive at an entrance gate to pay the fee before continuing. You must pay with a credit card as there is no attendant and no cash payment option.

The cost is $15 NZD per vehicle.

Follow Remarkables Ski Field Access Road as it winds up and around The Remarkables mountains. The drive itself is very scenic, with a few chances to pull off the road and snap a photo looking out over Queenstown. Even for those not interested in hiking to Lake Alta, we would still recommend this scenic drive.

Good to Know: This drive isn’t for everyone. There are plenty of sharp hairpin turns, some even have names like “The W” and “Redeye Corner.” Guardrails only seem to be installed in the more precarious spots. This is a windy road along the mountainside, so do take caution while driving. The road itself starts off paved but will turn to gravel as you get closer to the top.

The large car park is located at the end of the road.

Lake Alta Track: Step-By-Step Trail Guide

Start of the Hike

From the parking lot, walk up to the ski facilities. The main building houses a restaurant and a ski equipment rental center, but this building is only open during the ski season. Therefore, it is important to get water and any snacks you want in Queenstown before starting the drive to the ski facilities.

If you need to use the bathroom, there is a small public toilet structure to the left of the main building as you approach it from the parking lot. This is the only toilet facility available along this hike.

Now make your way to the side of the main building that is opposite the parking lot. Here you will find a patio area with picnic tables.

With your back to the picnic tables, you will be standing in a valley with mountains to both sides of you and in front of you. All of these mountains will have paths on them, so it might seem a little confusing at first as to which way to go.

You will basically be walking straight up through the valley in front of you. If you start hiking up the mountains to the left or right, then you are going the wrong way.

From the patio area, walk straight towards the tubes used to take skiers up the bunny slope. There will be two tubes, one after the other. The trail will follow directly to the right of both tubes. The trail itself isn’t well defined here; just hug the right side of these tubes as you hike.

You might occasionally see small wooden signs close to the ground with a hiker symbol on them. I say “might” because these probably have to be reinstalled each year once ski season ends.

On the Trail

At the end of the second tube the path will turn into a gravel road.

You don’t have to follow this road for very long until it splits into two gravel roads. At this split, take the road to the right (it is the steeper of the two). You’ll have a steep but short climb here, but this is the most strenuous part of today’s hike.

At the top of that climb, the road will reach a junction. The road itself will go left and right like a T intersection. But there will also be a narrow hiking path straight ahead. Take the narrow hiking path.

Up to this point, the trail wasn’t all that exciting. You hiked uphill along a gravel road that cuts through a barren rock field. Still, it is impressive looking up at the peaks surrounding you.

Once on the narrow hiking path the trail will flatten out for a moment, and you’ll get a change of scenery. You are now following a trail surface mixed with rock and dirt, and you will cross through a small bog. This part of the trail can be muddy, and you will be crossing over small streams, so watch your step.

With one short final climb to go, you will reach a vantage point overlooking Lake Alta. Take in the views from here and then continue following the trail to the lake. When we hiked here in the morning, we were one of the only people here. We found it to be quite serene, with the lake sitting at the base of some pretty impressive peaks. This could be a great spot for a picnic.

This is an out-and-back hike, so once you have finished enjoying your time here, return to the car park the same way you came.

What to Bring

We recommend packing water, nutrition, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Bringing a windbreaker is also a good idea. Make sure you check the weather beforehand, so you know what clothing layers to wear. When we hiked here on a warm sunny morning, we were comfortable in hiking pants and a t-shirt.

Hiking Gear Guide

Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?

If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.

What to Do Next

Looking for other fun activities to complete your day in Queenstown? How about another hike, or relax in the Onsen Hot Pools? For a more thrilling adventure, consider bungy jumping, paragliding, or a jet boat ride. See our full list of recommendations in our guide Things to Do in Queenstown and learn how to plan your time with our Queenstown Itinerary.

More Hikes in Queenstown

Queenstown Hill is a short, moderate hike located just outside of the city center and provides panoramic views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables.

Ben Lomond is a longer, more challenging hike that starts at the top of the Queenstown gondola and summits Ben Lomond Mountain. From this peak, the views are even more spectacular than from Queenstown Hill.

Moke Lake is a relatively short, easy hike trail that loops around the lake. It’s great for all ages and ability levels.

If you are looking for something more remote and challenging, the Routeburn Track is typically done in 2 to 3 days, but can be done in one day for those who are very fit and fast.

These are just a few of our guides on New Zealand. You can see all of them in our guide How to Plan a Trip to New Zealand.

If you have any questions about hiking the Lake Alta Track, let us know in the comment section below.

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