For those visiting Queenstown, hiking is a great way to stretch your legs, see the famous South Island scenery, and spend far less than you would on any of the area’s many adrenaline activities. A number of trails depart directly from Queenstown, from easy lakeside strolls to the challenging trek up Ben Lomond. The following are the Queenstown’s top trails with a custom hiking map for each.
 

1. Sunshine Bay Walk (map)

Time: 45 minutes–1 hour return
Difficulty: Easy
Start/Finish: Glenorchy Road (1 km southwest of the Fernhill roundabout)
Summary: A short and gentle lakeside path meanders through native bush until reaching the jetty at Sunshine Bay. This is a great walk for families and those looking for a quick breath of fresh air.
 

2. Tiki Trail to Skyline Gondola (map)

Time: 1–2 hours return
Difficulty: Easy
Start/Finish: Central Queenstown/Skyline Gondola
Summary: The Tiki Trail runs from the base of the Skyline Gondola through native forest to the summit of Bob’s Peak. The upper section joins the Skyline access road before reaching the famed viewing deck over the Queenstown area. For tired legs, the gondola ride is $14 one way and $25 round trip.

Skyline Gondola, Queenstown
The Skyline Gondola viewing deck | Flickr Credit: Chee.hong

3. Frankton Arm Walkway (map)

Time: 2­–3 hours return
Difficulty: Easy
Start/Finish: Central Queenstown/Park Street
Summary: This flat and wide track skirts the lakeshore between Queenstown and nearby Frankton with excellent views of the Remarkables and the Kelvin Peninsula. The walkway is popular for walking and biking: walkers should remember to stay to the left.
 

4. Queenstown Hill "Time Walk" (map)

Time: 2–3 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate
Start/Finish: Central Queenstown/ Belfast Terrace.
Summary: This short and steep track climbs 500 meters to the summit of Te Tapunui, or Queenstown Hill. The top has a sweeping panorama of the Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, and the Kawarau River. The “Time Walk” moniker comes from the six information panels along the way featuring important eras in Queenstown history.
 

5. Ben Lomond Track
 (map)

Time: 6­–8 hours return
Difficulty: Challenging
Start/Finish: Central Queenstown/Skyline Gondola
Summary: Ben Lomond is one of the tallest peaks in the Queenstown basin and the summit offers some of the region's most powerful views. This full-day hike passes near the top of the Skyline Gondola (reached via the Tiki Trail or gondola ride); from there it's 6–8 hours return to the Ben Lomond summit (1,748 m). On clear days the views stretch all the way to Mt. Aspiring and beyond. And the Skyline Bar at the top of the gondola is perfect for a celebratory drink on the way down.

Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown
Ben Lomond Track | Flick Credit: eGuide Travel

 

Powered by Drupal

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown has been dubbed the “Adventure Capital of the World” and the reputation is well earned. In close proximity are seemingly endless adrenaline-inducing activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, whitewater rafting, heli-biking...

New Zealand's Best Adventure Towns

New Zealand firmly has established itself as one of the world’s top adventure destinations. Queenstown receives much of the attention—it is indeed chock-full of adventure opportunities—but a host of other...

Otago, New Zealand

Otago on the South Island is one of New Zealand’s most varied regions, from high alpine terrain to remote coastline and almost everything in between. The outdoorsy towns of Queenstown and Wanaka are most popular...

Otago Rail Trail

Not long ago the small towns of New Zealand’s gold country were all but dead—the luster from the gold rush of the late 1800’s had long faded and the railroad between the mining communities had grown obsolete. With dwindled economic...

New Zealand's Great Walks

New Zealand has nine Great Walks in total—with five on the South Island, three on the North Island, and one on Stewart Island—centered in some of the country’s most iconic scenery. They are fastidiously managed by New Zealand’s...

Routeburn Track

The Routeburn Track is the shortest of New Zealand’s Great Walks but it's a powerhouse. The trail traverses both Fiordland National Park and Mt. Aspiring National Park through old-growth rainforest, past tumbling waterfalls, across tussock...

Best Hiking Boots of 2024

Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...

Best Hiking Pants of 2024

A great pair of hiking pants offer comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. In terms of materials, many of today’s top pants are made from lightweight and stretchy...

Best Down Jackets of 2024

It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetic options for easy storage. From...