Hike to Queenstown Hill

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

Save

View all 11 photos

All 11 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

3.1 miles

Elevation Gain

1640.4 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Katie Kessel

Explore some trails in Queenstown and see some stunning 360 views of the area including Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and Ben Lomond.

This is a great hike while you're in Queenstown to see a gorgeous view of the area if you have a few hours to kill. The hike is very well marked with lots of information boards on the area. Please make sure to dress appropriately - there can be some snow on the ground in the winter.

From the carpark, follow the trail for around 1.5km until you reach a fork in the road. This is the beginning of the loop, so you can take either route. Follow the track until you reach an intersection where on of the tracks leads up the hill towards the summit and the other side towards the Basket of Dreams (small climb and visible) where you can begin to admire the views of the area.

When you're ready to start climbing, walk up the hill towards the summit. There are a few switchbacks before you reach the top, where you can see some amazing views of the lake and mountains in the area.

Please note that the area is surrounded by private land so just mind the signs.

Once you're done admiring the view, head back towards the Basket of Dreams and follow the opposite side of the loop back towards your car.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Hiking

Easy Parking

Forest

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Reviews

Explorer

Tiffany Young

Explorer

Hike to Queenstown Hill

10/10/20

I enjoy Queenstown for what it is, but I love it for everything around the town. The campgrounds, hikes, and Lake Wakatipu. Easily accessible from town by walking into the neighborhood hills before you enter the “Queenstown Hills Time Walk” for the history and future of the area. A steep, but steady climb up through dense pine forest with bulletins along the way to talks about the history of the area. Take your time with these public museums to appreciate the space you are using. When the forest opens up, the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu will shine with the “Basket of Dreams” sculptures. Don’t do it just for the gram, but sit it and take a pure minute of silence to be where you are. A plaque reads, "inward, to reflect, to draw inspiration from the mountains, lake, and from those who are with you, outward, to dream, for the future. It’s a piece made of 20mm steel bars created by artist, Carolina Robinson. After the basket, continue the steep climb up to the top for a grander view.

5.0

Explorer

Aaron Hagen

Explorer

Hike to Queenstown Hill

09/23/17

The hike itself is very straight forward and looms above the city which makes it the perfect trek to start on! No matter the season (I was here in winter) this view will never get old! The path can be a little icy in patches in the winter though and some crampons would be a great idea once you get up past the snow line, also a good outer shell jacket as the winds mixed with that cold air are less than ideal up there!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Ben Lomond Track via Skyline Road

In the summer, Ben Lomond is an easy rated track flooded with tourists. In the winter, the hike gets a complete makeover by the soft blankets of snow, especially closer to the peak. Although the snow makes the route significantly more challenging, the views afforded are phenomenal and the trail itself is quite an adventure. Starting from the Gondola car park in Queenstown, the trail ascends qu...

Ben Lomond Track via Old Skyline Road

Adventuring up to Ben Lomond's summit is an out-and-back day hike with views that are arguably more rewarding than some of those you get on New Zealand's Great Walks. You can take the Skyline gondola part way up if you want to shorten the climb, but I usually start at the small signposted carpark on Lomond Crescent and take the 4-WD track up the first stretch. It's supposedly a 6-8 hour hike to...

Camp at Moke Lake

The drive to Moke Lake from Queenstown is only 14km but it takes about 30 minutes since you're on a dirt road for a good portion of it. You'll pass Lake Kirkpatrick and lots of sheep on your way to Moke Lake, but keep driving until you get to the campground that's on the southeast end of the lake. Once you're there, finding the ~7km track that loops around the lake is pretty straightforward if ...

Hike to Lake Alta

From Queenstown drive to the Remarkables Ski Field. The road features incredible views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, Shotover Canyon and the Southern Alps. The road takes you far above tree line into alpine high country.From the parking area it is a short (30-45 min) walk along a pleasant trail through alpine scrub and boulders to the lake. In summer the trail is uncrowded, but in winter this i...

Hike to Lake Rere

The track begins from the Greenstone carpark. After walking for around 5 minutes, you will chose which direction you would like to complete the loop. For our hike we chose to go left over the swing bridge that crosses the river. After crossing the river you continue through open farm paddocks. There are many sheep and cow around this area so remember to be respectful and stay as far away as...

Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

Once you identify the parking area (Right turn off Glenorchy Paradise Road just before crossing the Earnslaw Burn, park a the bend in the road.) Cross the boggy meadow in a NW direction until you see the orange trail markers on trees.The trail below bush line is long, very rugged and covered with blowdowns, but clean water sources are plentiful. Once you break out of the bush you are surrounded...

Hike to Queenstown Hill

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Ben Lomond Track via Skyline Road

Ben Lomond Track via Old Skyline Road

Camp at Moke Lake

Hike to Lake Alta

Hike to Lake Rere

Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps