Queenstown is called the journey capital of New Zealand. What you may not know is that it’s additionally an important place for climbing. Listed below are the 8 greatest hikes in Queenstown for journey vacationers!
From epic mountain summits straight from city to spectacular coastal tracks on the sting of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the proper vacation spot for every thing open air.
On this fast information, I’ll define the 8 greatest hikes in and round Queenstown that will help you plan your day journeys! I’ve additionally written complete climbing guides for every hike, so if you’re searching for extra data and images, be sure that to take a look at the hyperlinks beneath every part.
Take pleasure in!
Finest Hikes in Queenstown
With out additional ado, listed below are the very best hikes in Queenstown and surrounds! A lot of the hikes are accessible both instantly from city or only a brief drive or hitchhike away.
Nonetheless, I’ve included two of my favorite hikes on the finish which are accessed from a brief drive to neighbouring Glenorchy. The highway right here is without doubt one of the most scenic in New Zealand and solely takes roughly one hour. Due to this fact, it’s doable to hike all of those hikes from Queenstown.
1. Ben Lomond Summit Monitor
Probably the most common and most difficult hikes in Queenstown is the epic day journey as much as the Ben Lomond Summit, which sits at 1748 M AMSL.
This hike is accessed instantly from city by beginning on the Tiki path simply subsequent to the Skyline Gondola.
Count on a steep but rewarding ascent that takes roughly 5-7 hours to finish and return. From the summit, you’re going to get sweeping views of Queenstown, the Remarkables and naturally, the gorgeous Lake Wakatipu.
FULL HIKING GUIDE: HIKING THE BEN LOMOND TRACK IN QUEENSTOWN
2. Tiki Path to the Gondola
Should you’re not fairly as much as climbing all the way in which to the Ben Lomond summit, then taking the Tiki Path to the highest of the Skyline Gondola remains to be a really worthwile journey.
The Tiki Path is certainly one of Queenstown’s well-known native hikes and affords nice views of the city from above. The path itself whereas steep, it is vitally scenic as you go thick birch forest and sounds of native birds.
On the prime, you’ll additionally discover the “luge” which is without doubt one of the hottest journey actions present in Queenstown. Moreover, when you’d wish to take the Gondola again down, I’d advocate reserving a gondola and luge joint ticket on-line.
3. Queenstown Hill
Maybe the most well-liked hike in Queenstown, the Queenstown Hill loop observe is a gentler, but scenic hike that results in the highest of the resident hill.
The whole observe could be managed inside 2-3 hours, so there’s no excuse to not hit the path! I like to recommend heading up for sundown or dawn for probably the most spectacular views of Queenstown.
FULL HIKING GUIDE: HIKING THE QUEENSTOWN HILL LOOP
4. Moke Lake Loop
Moke Lake New Zealand is a small mountain lake positioned close to the small suburb of Closeburn, close to Queenstown. Though this lake is simply a relative stone-throw away from the bustling adrenaline hub, Moke Lake is a a lot tamer and secluded climbing space.
The Moke Lake Loop is a brief, scenic stroll that covers the circumference of the lake. There’s additionally an important lookout level on the adjoining hill the place you’ll be able to catch nice views of the lake.
READ MORE: HIKING AND CAMPING AT MOKE LAKE, QUEENSTOWN
5. Bob’s Cove Monitor
For these searching for a fast and straightforward coastal observe with gorgeous lake views, then Bob’s Cove Monitor Queenstown is probably the most bang-for-hiking-buck observe on the town. I say that as a result of it’s solely a brief twenty-minute stroll for views which are arguably extra spectacular than different common tracks like Queenstown Hill.
On a transparent day, I’d extremely advocate making the brief drive to the cove from Queenstown and climbing as much as Picnic Level. Whereas not steep, the views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu are spectacular.
COMPLETE GUIDE: BOB’S COVE TRACK QUEENSTOWN
6. Lake Alta Hike
Now for a little bit of a “cheat” hike to a scenic alpine lake with a viewpoint which sits at 2000M AMSL . What I imply by that is that you simply’ll truly be driving the vast majority of the incline from Queenstown.
The Lake Alta hike is a brief observe that leads from the Remarkables Ski Space and finishes simply beside the lake. Nonetheless, when you comply with my information beneath, I element a comparatively unknown route which ends at one of the crucial spectacular viewpoints in Queenstown.
FULL GUIDE: LAKE ALTA HIKE AND SECRET SADDLE VIEWPOINT
7. Earnslaw Burn Hike
Most likely among the best hikes close to Queenstown, if not in New Zealand. To get to the trailhead, you’ll must drive roughly one hour from Queenstown to the close by city of Glenorchy.
The Earnslaw Burn route follows the Earnslaw glacial burn by way of dense birch forest earlier than breaking out right into a waterfall-lined valley with unbeatable views of the Earnslaw Glacier.
This hike is normally tried over two days, with freedom tenting spots obtainable within the valley. With that mentioned, when you depart early sufficient and have the vitality, you’ll be able to full this hike from Queenstown in someday.
READ: COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE EARNSLAW BURN HIKE
8. The Routeburn Monitor
The Routeburn observe is certainly one of New Zealand’s Nice Walks and in addition one of the crucial scenic hikes in New Zealand. Most trampers and hikers try this over 2-3 days. Nonetheless, it’s doable to hike probably the most stunning part of this observe in a protracted one-day out-and-back hike.
Equally to the Earnslaw Burn hike, the Routeburn Monitor just isn’t precisely a hike in Queenstown. You will have to depart a little bit early to drive the one-hour scenic highway to Glenorchy earlier than hitting the path.
Nonetheless, when you don’t have time to remain in Glenorchy, beginning the hike from a Queenstown base remains to be a preferred choice.
DAY TRIP: BEST ROUTEBURN TRACK DAY HIKE
The place to Keep in Queenstown
I’ve written a separate, complete lodging information to the very best locations to remain in Queenstown– be sure that to test it out get a an important deal! In any other case, beneath is a fast abstract of my top-picks.
Finest Luxurious Lodging: Shotover Penthouse & Spa
Shotover Penthouse & Spa is an unimaginable condo that options an outside terrace with a barbecue and scorching tub. It’s located 200m from the Skyline Gondola and Luge and is 1.3km from the Shotover river.
Finest Worth Lodge: Melbourne Lodge
Melbourne Lodge is positioned 5 minutes stroll from central Queenstown. It affords picturesque views of the Exceptional mountains and has a big shared outside sundeck.This can be a nice selection for the place to remain cheaply in Queenstown. This lodge is appropriate for households or these travelling solo on a price range.
The place I stayed: Spaceship Automobile
Throughout my current go to to New Zealand, I cruised round in fashion in a Spaceship rental automobile. These are nice for price range journey vacationers because you’ll get your lodging and transport ticked off in a single neat bundle.
Least expensive Hostel in Queenstown: Base Backpackers
Queenstown is thought for lots of issues; adrenaline sports activities, epic day hikes, and superior nightlife. What it’s not recognized for is something to do with the phrase low-cost. In saying that, when you e-book forward, you’ll nonetheless be capable of get a dorm mattress for underneath $25NZD at Base Backpackers.
Lakefront Hostel with a Vibe: YHA Queenstown Lakefront
YHA reverse the unimaginable Lake Wakatipu is without doubt one of the greatest and highest-rated hostels in Queenstown. Should you’re trying to meet different journey vacationers, be near the motion and like a cushty dorm mattress, don’t look previous YHA Lakefront
MORE IDEAS: COMPLETE LIST OF BEST THINGS TO DO IN QUEENSTOWN
Extra Issues to Do on the South Island
I hope that this fast information to the very best hikes in Queenstown has impressed you to lace up the boots and hit the paths!
For extra free journey journey guides in Queenstown and New Zealand’s South Island, be sure that to take a look at some from the checklist beneath. For extra nice hikes, right here’s this information to the 31 Finest Hikes in South Island New Zealand.
MY CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
For a listing of all my really helpful images gear (together with what I exploit and why) try my information to digital camera gear for journey.
Should you’d like to make use of any of the images on this web site, please go to my licensing web page to learn the way. I additionally promote skilled fine-art prints, go to my Print Retailer or contact me instantly for customs prints of any pictures on We Search Journey.
On Pinterest?
Why not save this information to eight Finest Hikes in Queenstown and Surrounds for later? When you’re at it, when you comply with We Search Journey on Pinterest, you then’ll be capable of keep within the loop with all the brand new journey guides and blogs.
