The 8 best hikes in Queenstown and surrounding areas, New Zealand

The 8 best hikes in Queenstown and surrounding areas, New Zealand

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. What you may not know is that it is also a great place for hiking. Here are the 8 best hikes in Queenstown for adventure travelers!

From epic mountain peaks straight out of the city to spectacular coastal trails on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the perfect destination for all things outdoors.

In this quick guide I'm highlighting the 8 best hikes in and around Queenstown to help you plan your day trips! I have also written comprehensive hiking guides for each hike. So if you're looking for more information and photos, check out the links under each section.

Enjoy!

Best hikes in Queenstown

Without further ado, here are the absolute best hikes in Queenstown and the surrounding area! Most hikes are either direct from the city or just a short ride or hitchhike away.

However, I ended up including two of my favorite walks, which are accessible from a short drive to neighboring Glenorchy. The road here is one of the most scenic in New Zealand and only takes about an hour. Therefore, it is possible to do all of these hikes from Queenstown.

1. Ben Lomond summit trail

One of the most popular and challenging hikes in Queenstown is the epic day trip to Ben Lomond Summit, located at 1748M AMSL.

This hike is accessible directly from town by starting on the Tiki Trail right next to the Skyline Gondola.

Expect a steep but rewarding climb, taking approximately 5-7 hours to complete and return. From the summit you have sweeping views of Queenstown, the Remarkables and of course the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.
alt=“BEN LOMOND SUMMIT RIDGE”>

FULL HIKING GUIDE: HIKING THE BEN LOMOND TRACK IN QUEENSTOWN

2. Tiki Trail to the Gondola

If you don't want to hike all the way to the top of Ben Lomond, the Tiki Trail to the top of the Skyline Gondola is still a very worthwhile trip.

The Tiki Trail is one of Queenstown's famous local hikes and offers great views of the city from above. The trail itself, although steep, is very picturesque as you pass dense birch forests and sounds of local birds.

At the top you'll also find 'tobogganing', one of Queenstown's most popular adventure activities. If you want to take the gondola back down, I also recommend booking a shared gondola and toboggan ticket online.
alt=“TIKI TRAIL HIKE FROM QUEENSTOWN”>

3. Queenstown Hill

Perhaps the most popular hike in Queenstown, the Queenstown Hill Loop Track is a gentler but scenic hike that leads to the top of the resident hill.

The entire route can be completed within 2-3 hours, so there is no excuse not to hit the trail! I recommend heading out at sunset or sunrise to enjoy the most impressive views of Queenstown.
alt=“QUEENSTOWN HILL SUMMIT VIEWPOINT”>

COMPLETE HIKE GUIDE: HIKE THE QUEENSTOWN HILL LOOP

4. Moke Lake Loop

Moke Lake New Zealand is a small mountain lake near the small suburb of Closeburn, near Queenstown. Although this lake is a relative stone's throw from the busy adrenaline center, Moke Lake is a much tamer and more remote hiking area.

The Moke Lake Loop is a short, scenic walk that covers the perimeter of the lake. There is also a great viewing point on the adjacent hill that offers great views of the lake.
alt=“MOKE LAKE NEW ZEALAND”>

READ MORE: HIKING AND CAMPING AT MOKE LAKE, QUEENSTOWN

5. Bob's Cove Track

For those looking for a quick and easy coastal trail with stunning lake views, Bob’s Cove Track Queenstown is the best walking trail in the city. I say this because it's only a short 20 minute walk for views that are arguably more impressive than other popular routes such as Queenstown Hill.

On a clear day I would highly recommend making the short drive from Queenstown to the bay and climbing up to Picnic Point. The views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, while not steep, are spectacular.
alt=“BOB’S COVE TRACK QUEENSTOWN”>

COMPLETE GUIDE: BOB’S COVE TRACK QUEENSTOWN

6. Alta Lake hike

Now for a little “cheat” hike to a picturesque alpine lake with a viewpoint located at 2000m above sea level. By this I mean you will be riding most of the climb from Queenstown.

The Lake Alta hike is a short route that starts from Remarkables Ski Area and ends right next to the lake. However, if you follow my guide below, I describe a relatively unknown route that ends at one of the most impressive viewpoints in Queenstown.
alt=”LAKE ALTA QUEENSTOWN HIKE”>

FULL GUIDE: LAKE ALTA HIKE AND SECRET SADDLE VIEWPOINT

7. Earnslaw Burn hike

Probably one of the best hikes near Queenstown, if not in New Zealand. To get to the trailhead you need to drive about an hour from Queenstown to the nearby town of Glenorchy.

The Earnslaw Burn route follows the Earnslaw Glacier Burn through dense birch forest before breaking into a waterfall-lined valley with unbeatable views of the Earnslaw Glacier.

This hike is typically undertaken over two days, with free campsites available in the valley. If you leave early enough and have enough energy, you can complete this hike from Queenstown in a day.
alt=“EARNSLAW GLACIER HIKE NEW ZEALAND”>

READ: COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE EARNSLAW BURN HIKE

8. The Routeburn route

The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks and also one of the most scenic walks in New Zealand. Most hikers and hikers attempt this over 2-3 days. However, it is possible to hike the most beautiful section of this trail in a long one-day round trip hike.

Similar to the Earnslaw Burn hike, the Routeburn Track isn't exactly a hike in Queenstown. You'll need to leave a little earlier to drive the hour-long scenic road to Glenorchy before setting off.

However, if you don't have time to stay in Glenorchy, starting the hike from a base in Queenstown is still a popular option.
alt=”Lake Harris Routeburn Day Hike”>

DAY TRIPS: BEST ROUTEBURN TRACK DAY HIKE

Where to stay in Queenstown

I've written a separate, comprehensive accommodation guide with the best places to stay in Queenstown - be sure to check it out to get a great deal! Otherwise, you can find a quick summary of my top picks below.

Best Luxury Accommodation: Shotover Penthouse & SpaShotover Penthouse & Spa is an incredible apartment that features an outdoor terrace with a grill and a hot tub. It is 200 meters from Skyline Gondola and Luge and 1.3 km from Shotover River.

Best Value Lodge: Melbourne LodgeMelbourne Lodge is a five-minute walk from central Queenstown. It offers scenic views of the Remarkable Mountains and has a large shared outdoor sun terrace.This is a great choice for a budget stay in Queenstown. This lodge is suitable for families or solo travelers on a budget.

Where I Stayed: Spaceship CarDuring my recent visit to New Zealand, I cruised around in style in a Spaceship rental car. These are ideal for budget-conscious adventure travelers as they tick off your accommodation and transport in one neat package.

Cheapest Hostel in Queenstown: Base BackpackersQueenstown is known for many things; Adrenaline sports, epic day hikes and fantastic nightlife. What it isn't known for has anything to do with the word cheap. If you book in advance, you can still get a dorm bed for under $25 NZD at Base Backpackers.

Lakefront Hostel with Atmosphere: YHA Queenstown LakefrontYHA, opposite the incredible Lake Wakatipu, is one of the best and highest rated hostels in Queenstown. If you want to meet other adventure travelers, be close to the action, and have a comfortable dorm bed, don't look past YHA Lakefront

alt="Overnight stay in Queenstown, New Zealand">

MORE IDEAS: FULL LIST OF THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT IN QUEENSTOWN

More activities on the South Island

I hope this quick guide to the best hikes in Queenstown has inspired you to lace up your boots and get out there!

For more free adventure travel guides in Queenstown and New Zealand's South Island, check out the list below. For more great hikes, here's this guide to the 31 best hikes in New Zealand's South Island.

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alt=“THE BEST HIKES IN QUEENSTOWN”>

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