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Travel bucket list idea:

Climb a waterfall at Lake Wanaka

  • Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand

Last updated: 23 April, 2024

There are not many places in the world you can climb a waterfall – at least this site hasn’t found one yet – and this also happens to be the highest.

Set on the shores of stunning Lake Wanaka, the ‘Lord of the Rungs’ (their name, not ours) via Ferrata-esque course has 3 levels to suit varying abilities.

All three courses combine a mix of climbs on steel rungs, and crossing of suspension bridges. The full 5-7 hour climb to the top (450m) also goes behind the waterfall, sees you climb through an airy overhang, and helicopters you back down from the top. Brilliant!

Who to go with: tour operators

1

Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with

Wildwire

  • Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand

Wildwire

TourOperator

Wildwire

Highly-regarded and friendly local operator of the Lake Wanaka via Ferrata course. Full safety accredited.

Website >

Logistics

Price from: £110
Minimum age: 10
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around
Duration: 3-7 hours

Getting there & doing it

The basic level 1 climbs 150m and takes 2-3 hours; the intermediate level 2 climbs 320m and takes 4-5 hours; the full climb, level 3, of 450m takes 6-7 hours.

No previous experience is needed and all equipment is provided. Standards of safety are rigorously high, and you are secured at all times to a runner in the rockface via a steel cable. (So don’t worry!). Mine age for levels 1 & 2 is 10 years, for the full ‘Lord of the Rungs’ tour to the top, its 15 years.

Lunch is provided for levels 2 and 3, and the price includes return transfers to Wanaka.

When to do it

It’s available all year round, seven days a week, weather permitting.

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