A perfect half-day walk to spectacular views over the Harris Mountains in the west, Lake Wānaka in the north and the Pisa Range.

The walk begins at the Cardrona ski field car park. Bypass the Cardrona shop and begin hunting for the first trail marker. They’re not easy to find. The first white post is behind the small bike skills area. Follow this to the left of the McDougalls Gondola and the trail will be seen on the west winding to the ridgeline.

Watch for mountain bikers in summer months and snow sports-people in the winter.

Once on the ridgeline, the trail crosses another extreme sports track and navigation becomes much easier from here. Views to the west open up with the Harris Mountains visible beyond the mountain ranges of Macetown, and the Wakatipu Basin sitting below The Remarkables.

Follow this stunning ridgeline around several more bike trails. There are signposts giving options for several routes. Take a right at the next signpost and then left to follow the Summit Loop Trail. This summit is the ski field summit at Pt1891m and is not to be confused with the peak of Mt Cardrona.

Continue east along the wide ridgeline and take care crossing any mountain tracks. Signage to Mt Cardrona summit is once again not apparent. However, once the ridge appears on the left-hand side, head in that direction. It’s a short ascent from the ridgeline to the summit. The views to the north are exceptional. On a clear day, Mt Aspiring can be seen beyond the Harris Mountains along with several other peaks from the national park. Views of Lake Wānaka and Hāwea also dominate to the north, with the Pisa Range to the east and the Wakatipu Basin to the south.

The tops can be explored to the east and north. Surprisingly, in the summer, Mt Cardrona summit is rarely frequented.

The track can be reversed but it’s also possible to turn it into a nice loop by returning to the ridge and taking a left on the Captain’s Circuit (rather than reversing the initial ascent to the right). The Captain’s Circuit runs alongside a mountain bike trail and, at some points, is shared, so be careful. Rocky tops along the eastern ridgeline provide splendid perspective in front of the views of Cardrona Valley below. Shortly after the rocky terrain, the track leaves the mountain bike trail and bends to the right, descending towards the carting trail. Signposts are not clear, so be careful not to head down too far.

Cross the carting trail and head towards a small spur where there are two more mountain bike trails to cross. Begin the short ascent on the spur which is shared with a mountain bike trail until the top of the Whitestar Express Quad Gondola is reached. Head west, past McDougalls Gondola, until reaching the ridgeline track. Turn left to continue back to the car park.