Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring is a national park located in the South Alps of the South Island in New Zealand. Mount Aspiring was founded in 1964, this is the tenth national park of New Zealand. New Zealand's third largest national park after « Fiordlanda » and « Kakhurangi », spread over 3,555 km2.
The Māori once mined jade – stone in these parts, from which they made their most durable tools, as well as jewelry. Today, – is a paradise for climbers and lovers of walks of various difficulty levels. Hiking trails begin near Lake Vonaka and the city of Queenstown. Mount Aspiring – is the only peak outside Mount Cook National Park in excess of 3,000 meters. In ancient times, Māori passed through this region on the way to the fields of the pownama on the west coast; Europeans studied the geographical features of the region; settlers tried to farm and some of the valleys mixed in an amazing landscape.
This National Park is named after one of the highest New Zealand mountains - the peak of Aspiring, and is one of the best places to get acquainted with the unique alpine nature of New Zealand. Deep in glacial valleys in the east, full-sea picturesque rivers drown in majestic mountains. And above the tree lines, subalpine gardens, outlandish plants and herbs bloom despite everything. Amazing rock forms – a distinctive feature of the park. The colored slopes of the Red Hills, the fragile gray slate of the Alps, the ice age and huge tectonic displacements created such beauty. From the west, the mountains are bordered by beech forests filled with the sounds of waterfalls and birdsong. The mountain river Makarora flows through the park with crystal clear water is among beech trees. With a calm flow, the water in the river is absolutely transparent.
Along the routes there are many tourist huts, including two huts on the Rutburn track. On most tracks are campsites. Reservations are required in the summer, at the peak of the season. The settlements of Makarora, Haast and Glenorchi serve as entrances to Mount Aspiring Park. Makarora has these types of accommodation: cottages, chalets, family-type hotels and campsites. Accommodation in Haast and Glenorchi includes motels, hotels and holiday homes. Due to the increased water level in the park, most of the walks are best carried out from November to March.
