Ok, it’s not really a “walk.” It’s a sheer, vertical cliff climb, but I was committed to the alliteration. Anyway, I’m risking my life today. We’re heading out to Wildwire Wanaka, New Zealand’s only European Alps-style via ferrata — the original word is Italian for “iron road.” It’s so named because the route consists of little more than just some metal rungs sticking out of the rock face to act as steps.
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My experience at Wildwire Wanaka
We’re heading about 25 minutes from our Airbnb in Wanaka to Twin Falls to do the “Lord of the Rungs” adventure with Wildwire. This involves climbing up a waterfall with nothing but a harness, some carabiners clipped to a wire, and the support of some metal rungs that are (hopefully) secured into the cliff. I feel like I’m up for it, but it’s hard to predict exactly how I’m going to cope with being this high off the ground. There’s only one way to find out!
It’s just us, another couple our age, a super brave middle-aged adventure lady, and our guide. The guide is actually one of the owners. She and her husband set the whole thing up in 2016. They’re a Canadian-Kiwi couple, so obviously very cool — that’s just how that works.
We get kitted out in all our gear — helmet, harness, and gloves — then do a practise round on a low-risk, low-to-ground boulder to learn how to clip in and out safely. Basically, there are three carabiners and we’re clipped in with at least two at all times. Every few metres there’s a new stretch of wire, so it involves a lot of clipping on, clipping off, and making sure not to unclip them all at the same time.
There are 3 levels to choose from when booking, Lower Level (1), Upper Level (2), and Full (3). The journey gets increasingly difficult but if we complete the full, we get a helicopter ride down and I gotta tell ya, climbing down seems harder than climbing up. Wildwire makes it clear on their website that you need a “good level of fitness” to do Level 3 and I’d say I’m in a grey area. I hike often enough, but I also don’t say no to curries, cookies, crisps, cheese, or chocolate. (More alliteration for you.) I called before booking to see what they thought and they said I should be fine.
So here I am, climbing up the side of a cliff.
We get through Level 1 in what seems like 20 minutes, though I’m sure it was longer. My life flashed before my eyes a few times, so my sense of space and time is out the window. But I’ve got the hang of the mechanics and am feeling more confident in these rungs and wires, so I’m ready to take on Level 2.
Clip on, clip off, clip on, clip off, clip on. Stop to admire the view. Clip on, clip off, clip on. Cross a bridge made of wire. Clip on, clip off, clip on. Dare to look down and feel the dizzying effect of being at such great heights.
We climb higher and higher, zig-zagging from side to side slowly making our way up the rock face. Crossing the tumbling falls as we go. Before we know it, we’ve completed Level 2.
Another guide has come seemingly out of nowhere to collect the other couple in our group and guide them back down. They’ve been having a great time but hadn’t booked Level 3 in advance, and they’re even given the option to tack it on and join us, but they decide to go back. They hiked Roy’s Peak yesterday and continuing up the waterfall would double the cost of this experience, so I can’t blame them. But I’m happy we’re going to complete the whole thing. To be honest, hiking down seems more difficult than climbing up.
We eat a quick lunch (sandwiches and a gigantic homemade brownie, provided by Wildwire Wanaka) and we’re on our way to take on Level 3. It may have been a mistake to sit down because now the adrenaline has gone and my body is feeling it. I hype myself up all over again to prepare for the hardest leg of the journey.
And it really is the hardest.
This last section takes us along a thin wooden plank right behind the falls. The mist creates a little rainbow and feels refreshing after a long climb in the hot New Zealand sun.
That’s us under the falls
But the climb immediately following the falls crossing includes an overhang that requires upper body strength, and let me tell you, I am not built for this.
I am both weak in the arms, and bottom heavy 🍑. Not a great combo in this scenario. Chesney is thriving because he’s been climbing several times a week over the past year and is just generally fit. But it really takes all my strength to hoist myself up, a bit like I’m doing pull-ups at the gym.
There’s no risk of me falling to my death or anything, but there is a risk that I could lose my grip and fall. The worst thing that would happen to me is that I’d hang there and have to try again. It still feels very high stakes, though.
Against all odds, I manage to get myself up around the overhang and can lean back in my harness, “relax,” and enjoy the view while our epic guide goes back to help the other woman in our group. I was impressed with myself for completing that section, but it’s even more amazing that this woman in her 60s is able to do it. Goals.
Everything from that point on feels like a breeze and before we know it, we’ve reached the top. We feel accomplished. There’s no other way to describe it.
Could this be the coolest thing I’ve ever done? Perhaps. All that’s left to do is catch the helicopter back down, which is the cherry on top of an epic day. Seeing the levels of the waterfall on the short trip down really put what we’ve just achieved into perspective.
Check out some clips from our journey on Instagram!
Map of the route from the Wildwire Wanaka website
For obvious reasons, I highly recommend Wildwire if you find yourself in this part of the world.
But I can’t say you should book just Level 1. If you’re going to commit, commit! At least do Level 2. Once you get to the end of the lower level, I think you’d feel like you’re missing out by not continuing. (Assuming you haven’t realized you hate heights.) But I know going all the way to Level 3 could easily blow your budget. I promise it’s worth it if you can afford it! If you’re going to splurge on an activity or two when you’re here in the adventure capital of the world, this should be one of them.
Book your Wildwire Wanaka experience
There are lots of ways to book, but only one provider. Obviously you can go direct through their website. It’s also listed on Get Your Guide and sometimes goes on sale, and Wildwire Wanaka may be running its own promotions. So shop around to make sure you get the best deal!
What to know before you go
The team at Wildwire Wanaka is amazing. We felt safe the whole time, they were friendly, encouraging, chatty, took great pics, and made the experience incredible from start to finish. I loved this so much I convinced my cousin to do it (she had a blast), and now my goal is to convince you.
- Cost: $200 (L1), $330 (L2), or $650 (L3) — Don’t forget Level 3 includes helicopter transport back down the mountain!
- Duration: 2 to 7 hours depending on the pace of your group and how high you climb.
- Fitness requirements: You can do this with a reasonable level of fitness and a bit of bravery. I think you’d be surprised by how not-scary it feels once you get into the swing of things.
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- What’s included:
- Climbing gear — helmets, gloves, harnesses, etc. Everything you need. I believe they even have shoes you can borrow, but we wore our own hiking shoes and I think that’s best to avoid blisters.
- Lunch — and not just a boring plain cheese sandwich, it was good! (Level 2 and 3 only.)
- A photographer — the guides will snap photos of you throughout the trip so you don’t have to worry about losing your phone. However, I do recommend a GoPro or a phone if you can strap it to yourself securely.
- Helicopter ride back to safety. (Level 3 only.)
- What’s included:
- What’s not included:
- Water — we had a backpack with a 2.5L water bladder and that was super helpful.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses — there isn’t a lot of shade up there.
- Reasonable, comfortable hiking gear — bring layers, good shoes, and a rain jacket.
- What’s not included:
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- Fun fact: It’s the world’s only via ferrata waterfall climb! Via ferrata started in the Alps, but I guess none of those routes scale up a waterfall. Pretty cool!
Canyoning at Wildwire Wanaka
The Wildwire Wanaka guys now also offer an epic canyoning experience that’s worth checking out. It’s at the top of my list of things to do the next time I’m in Wanaka!
And always check BookMe when looking for fun activities around New Zealand. Click here for discounts on cool stuff to do in Wanaka.