Leaping Burn is about a 45 minute drive from Wanaka, up the beautiful Matukituki valley. The trip begins with a steep scramble, where you haul yourself up fixed ropes similar to a via ferata through scrub and small rock bands. If you need to catch your breath, you can peer down at the Matukituki valley far below, or gaze up to the glaciated peaks of the Mt Aspiring National Park. It takes us 35-45 minutes to reach the start of the canyon.

The Leaping Burn has a great variety of challenges, in technical canyon with moderate to high water levels.  At least 6 Abseils (rappels) up to 25m (70’) high. The last 3 are down the side of a huge waterfall nearly 80m (250’) tall. Optional jumps from 4-13 meters (12-40’)  An optional zip line. A few challenging scrambles and climbs through the canyon.  Some swims up to 10m (30’) long, through turbulent pools. The Leaping Burn starts off deep, dark and foreboding, with huge black schist walls and green pools. The walls are up to 50m deep in places. Then at the end, you emerge from the canyon way above the valley floor, with a 3 stage descent of a huge 80m waterfall. You’re usually in the canyon for 3-4 hours. You’ll need a good level of fitness, confidence, swimming ability and be comfortable in turbulent water. You'll also need a good head for heights.  We usually require our customers for this trip to have been canyoning, rockclimbing using ropes, or abseiling before.