Hiking the Mount Sunday Track in New Zealand to Edoras in Rohan
One does not simply visit New Zealand without hiking the Mount Sunday Track. Mount Sunday is the filming location of Edoras, the capital of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings.
The Mount Sunday Track is an easy 1.5 km hike to the top of Edoras. The beauty surrounding the rock is stunning. It’s easy to see why Peter Jackson chose this spot to film Edoras.
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Mount Sunday is located in the Ashburton Lakes area on the South Island of New Zealand.
The parking lot for the trail head for the Mount Sunday Track is located right off of Hakatere Potts Road.
Mount Sunday is in a valley surrounded by mountains and located next to the Rangitata River. Mount Sunday is actually a small rocky hill surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Driving to Mount Sunday from Christchurch
From Christchurch, Mount Sunday is about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive.
We took State Highway 77 from Christchurch because I wanted to stop by the scenic Rakaia Gorge. For a shorter driving distance you can stay on SH 1 toward Rakaia before turning onto smaller roads.
For the most part the road to Mount Sunday is paved until you reach Hakatere Historic Town then Ashburton Gorge Rd turns into Hakatere Potts Rd and is unpaved until you reach the Mount Sunday parking lot.
Although unpaved, the road is still decently maintained and easy to drive. Just take your time, drive safe, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
Filming Location of Edoras in Rohan
For fans of The Lord of the Rings visiting New Zealand, a trip to Edoras is a must. Edoras is the fictional capital of Rohan.
The movie set of Edoras took nine months to build. Unfortunately, unlike the Hobbiton Movie Set, Edoras was dismantled after filming was done.
For The Lord of the Rings fans, you can point out the exact rock and locations of Mount Sunday where Edoras is located, you can even stand at and imagine the spot where Meduseld (The Golden Hall) stood prominent on the hill.
Other then Mount Sunday itself and your imagination, there is nothing really LOTR related here or markers and signs that explain anything.
Whether you are a die hard The Lord of the Rings fan or not, hiking the Mount Sunday Track is a must because of the natural beauty surrounding the hill.
Hiking the Mount Sunday Track
The Mount Sunday Track is a short and rewarding hike. It’s only 1.5 km each way and takes 30 – 45 minutes.
It’s an easy hike and can be achieved by most hikers. Just keep in mind that there are some steep portions and rocky surfaces.
If you are doing the Mount Sunday Track on your own and driving, there is a parking area with a toilet.
Once you cross the gate, there are trail markers that point you toward Edoras (Mt Sunday). Just remember to stick to the guided path as portions of the trail are on private lands.
There is one river crossing. Don’t worry, there is a nice swing bridge that crosses the river. From here, the path become steeper until you reach the summit of Mount Sunday.
Once at the summit of Mount Sunday, take your time and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views. You are surrounded by mountains and can see the Rangitata River.
Of course the day we hiked Mount Sunday it was very overcast and rained a little bit. I did get a clear view of the surrounding mountains but it was beautiful in its own way.
The descent is easy. Just follow the same path back to the parking area.
Tips and How to Pack
The Mount Sunday Track is fairly easy and short. It’s certainly nowhere near the intensity of some of New Zealand’s other hikes like the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. But that does not mean you shouldn’t plan and prepare for this hike.
Similar to any other hike in New Zealand, pay attention to weather, time of day, and your own level of fitness. After all, you are hiking to the top of a somewhat steep hill that has no shade whatsoever and the elements can be unpredictable.
Keeping this in mind, here are some of my recommended tips and packing items to successful complete the Mount Sunday Track.
✅ Hiking Boots or comfortable shoes.
✅ A hat and sun glasses for sun protection.
✅ Layers, the weather can change in an instant.
✅ Water, I think one water bottle for the hike itself is find.
✅ Snacks, when you reach the top, sit down and enjoy the view.
✅ A Camera or phone, the views are stunning on top of Mount Sunday.
Conclusion
Visiting Mount Sunday, the real-life Edoras from The Lord of the Rings is a must visit destination in New Zealand, especially for LOTR fans. The 30-40 minute hike was well worth the effort, especially because the raw beauty of the landscape surrounding Mount Sunday.
Standing on top of Mount Sunday surrounded by the mountains, rivers, and marshlands, I could easily see why this location was chosen as the filming site for Edoras in Rohan.
Whether you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings or just want to see some of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery, then hiking the Mount Sunday Track is well worth the effort and highly recommended.
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