Ben Lomond Track: Queenstown's Big Summit Hike
Photo: “View north from Ben Lomond saddle in spring” by Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Trail at a glance
- Type
- Day walk
- Region
- Otago
- Distance
- 11–14 km return
- Time
- 6–8 hr return
- Grade
- Advanced tramping track
- Bookings
- Not required
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
Overview
Ben Lomond is the big summit hike above Queenstown: a demanding full day with 1,438 m of elevation gain from town to the 1,748 m summit. On a clear day, the panorama takes in Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu, Cecil and Walter Peaks, the Remarkables, and even Mounts Earnslaw and Aspiring in the distance.
DOC rates it as requiring high fitness, with a steep gradient. Remember the summit is only the halfway point.
Route options
| Option | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Tiki Trail → Ben Lomond summit | 6–8 hr return | 14 km return |
| Tiki Trail → Ben Lomond Saddle | 5 hr return | 10 km return |
| Skyline Gondola top → Ben Lomond Saddle | 3–4 hr return | 7 km return |
The Tiki Trail starts beside the Skyline Gondola base on Brecon Street and climbs through Douglas fir. Above about 800 m you leave the trees for alpine tussock and climb to the Ben Lomond Saddle (1,326 m). Beyond the saddle, the track crosses private land on Ben Lomond Station. It's unmaintained, steeper and rougher, with drop-offs near the top.
The gondola option suits people building fitness. Ride up and walk to the saddle and back, or buy a one-way ticket down after the full hike.
Access points
- The Tiki Trail, beside the Skyline Gondola base (best option)
- The bottom of the Skyline Access Road on Lomond Crescent
- The One Mile Creek Track from the Fernhill roundabout (navigation needed)
- The Skyline Gondola
Hazards
- Year-round fire ban. Ben Lomond is in Queenstown's high-fire-risk "Red Zone".
- Downhill mountain bike tracks cross the walking track at high speed. Follow the signs and orange markers, and ignore animal tracks.
- The weather changes fast, and hypothermia is a real risk even in summer.
- In winter you'll need alpine equipment (ice axe, crampons and avalanche gear), and the track can be very slippery or muddy.
What to bring
- All your water. There's none past the gondola complex.
- A head torch in case you're out later than planned
- Toilets are at the gondola top complex, and there's a toilet 100 m before the saddle with no water, sanitiser or paper.
Good to know
No dogs and no drones. Start early to leave plenty of daylight.
Check before you go
Closures, slips, snow and booking changes happen often. Department of Conservation posts current alerts and bookings for the Ben Lomond Track on its official page.
Current alerts and bookings