Isthmus Peak stands between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea in the Otago Region of the South Island of New Zealand.   When we drove past this area from Haast Pass on our way to Wanaka, we saw the trailhead sign by the highway and stopped to look up at the barren, open mountain above.

We returned the next day to hike this 15 km (return) trail to the summit and back.   From the parking area and signed trailhead, the trail skirts sheep farming slopes, but ragged ridges stand above the greener slopes.

Tussock lands start above the grassy slopes and a few wildflowers were spotted at the end of November.

 

 

The upper part of the trail winds up the steep slope to the upper ridges, then we traversed over to the top of Isthmus Peak.

As the trail climbs, we can look back at Lake Hawea with the Barrier Range rising above the lakeshore to the east.

Tussocks and rocks give the peak a barren look.   We spotted a skink near the trail and few wildflowers here and there.  The Otago Region was a prime area for filming Lord of the Rings and the hills here resembled many of the locations filmed for the movies.

 

At the summit, the views now extended south down Lake Wanaka with Mount Aspiring National Park on the west side of the lake.

To the north, the views extended up Lake Wanaka into the Young Range and the north end of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Rugged views extend in every direction from the summit of Isthmus Peak.

This track is a longer, steeper hike, so carrying enough water is important.   It has a good trail all the way, but it still takes 5 to 5.5 hours to complete.   We enjoyed the Otago area very much and would happily return for more hiking.