Queenstown Hill Hike – Everything you need to know

Queenstown Hill Hike – Everything you need to know

Everything you need to know about hiking Queenstown Hill, one of the best viewpoints in the city!

When it comes to epic day hikes from Queenstown, you can't get much more popular than the Queenstown Hill Hike.

This famous hiking trail is much more than just an epic view of Queenstown. One could argue that it's almost a rite of passage for visitors to New Zealand's adrenaline capital!

This guide describes how to get here, trail information, and what to expect.

Queenstown Hill Hike – Everything you need to know

We know Queenstown Hill is popular, but is it worth it?

In my opinion, if you have a few hours to kill and want an epic view of Queenstown then I would consider it a must do. Like most of the other trails around Queenstown, the Queenstown Hill Hike is easily accessible both on foot and by car.
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See also: Things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand

Starting point of the Queenstown Hill hike

Alright, but where is the starting point in Queenstown Hill? The trailhead is on Belfast Terrace, set in a maze of steep, winding suburban hills behind the city.

If you come from the city on foot, then you already have a 20-minute warm-up on your old legs. The easiest way to find the starting point is to follow Google's directions to the pin below.

Don't miss: Ben Lomond Track

Hiking route details

Walking time: Expect to take between 2 and 3 hours round trip.

Hiking distance: The return route, including the optional middle loop, is approx. 6 km.

Difficulty of the hike: Easy, but moderately steep in some sections. The basic condition is sufficient.

Queenstown Hill Elevation: 907M. The starting point on Belfast Terrace is around 500m, meaning you gain around 400m.
alt=“HIKING IN QUEENSTOWN”>Hiking near Queenstown Hill Viewpoint

What to expect

In true Queenstown style, the Queenstown Hill hike begins on suburban streets and quickly transforms into an epic nature trail.

The path leads through dense beech and fir forests before finally breaking out at the grassy hilltop.
alt=“FIR AND BEECH HIKING ON THE QUEENSTOWN HILL”>Dense forest sections of the Queenstown Hill hike
There are a few opportunities along the route to catch early glimpses of Queenstown through the trees and bushes. Look out for possums and bright red mushrooms, but don't think about food either.

The gradient is fairly moderate, but you will need a general level of fitness to manage the approximately 400 meters of elevation gain. Because this route is popular with runners and day hikers, there are a few benches where you can stop and rest if needed.

Optional Queenstown Hill “Viewpoint” loop

About 0.8 miles along the trail you will come across a fork that splits the trail into two parts. You can follow the left path, which leads directly to the summit, or follow the right path to a “viewpoint”. Unfortunately, the viewpoint isn't worth the extra 15 minutes of walking as the tree line now covers most of the view.

However, it might be a good idea to take the left path up and mix it up by taking the loop on the way down.

RELATED POST: Where to Stay in Queenstown

Queenstown Hill Summit and Views

Arriving at the top of Queenstown Hill we had excellent views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables and the towering Ben Lomond.

The best views are probably at the top of the Queenstown Hill hike, but there are also some smaller hills below if the summit is crowded.

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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

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More in Queenstown

I hope this guide to the Queenstown Hill hike has answered all your questions and motivated you to get out and tackle some of Queenstown's epic day hikes.

If you're looking for more things to do in New Zealand's South Island, don't forget to check out some of the posts at the end of this blog post.

Alternatively, start with this guide to the 31 best hikes in the South Island.

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