Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables mountain range. Known for bungy jumping, jet boating and skiing, it also offers lakeside dining, Central Otago wineries and the gold-rush village of Arrowtown.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Ben Lomond Track
A steep DOC track from the Skyline Gondola area to the Ben Lomond Saddle and summit with views over Lake Wakatipu. High fitness required; weather changes quickly.
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2
Queenstown Hill Time Walk
A steady climb through pine forest to a summit viewpoint over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, with the Basket of Dreams sculpture on the way.
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3
Routeburn Track
A DOC Great Walk linking the Routeburn Valley to The Divide via Harris Saddle. Huts NZ$88 for NZ adults and NZ$132 for international adults per night in the Great Walks season; campsite NZ$28/NZ$42.
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4
Routeburn Flats Walk
The first section of the Routeburn Track, a popular day walk through beech forest and across swing bridges to open flats beneath the Humboldt Mountains.
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5
Key Summit Track
A side trip from the Routeburn Track to an alpine wetland and summit with views of the Hollyford and Greenstone valleys.
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6
Greenstone and Caples Tracks
A loop linking the Greenstone and Caples valleys via McKellar Saddle, with DOC and deerstalker huts. The Greenstone section is part of Te Araroa; Greenstone huts and campsites need booking 1 October-30 April.
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7
Lake Hayes Loop
A well-formed loop around Lake Hayes on the Queenstown Trail, suited to walking or cycling, with reflections of the surrounding hills on calm mornings.
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8
Bob's Cove and Twelve Mile Delta Walk
A bush walk to a sheltered cove with a small jetty, passing an 1800s lime kiln and old-growth beech forest, linking onward to Twelve Mile Delta.
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9
Mt Crichton Loop Track
A DOC loop through beech forest past historic gold-mining sites to a Lake Dispute side trip, with warnings about old mine shafts.
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10
Kepler Track
A DOC Great Walk loop from Te Anau over a ridgeline to Luxmore, Iris Burn and Moturau huts at NZ$88 NZ adult and NZ$132 international adult per night.
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11
Milford Track
DOC's most famous Great Walk from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound over Mackinnon Pass. Not suitable for children under 10; no cellphone coverage.
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12
Roys Peak Track
A steep full-day climb above Lake Wanaka to a summit with 360-degree views, closed each spring for lambing. Distance is a commonly cited figure; DOC states only the ascent.
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13
Rob Roy Glacier Track
A DOC track up the Matukituki valley through beech forest and across swing bridges to a lookout beneath the Rob Roy Glacier.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Queenstown.
- Spring
- September-November: snowmelt and mud; Roys Peak closed 1 October-10 November; some Great Walk huts not yet in season.
- Summer
- December-February: longest days and best conditions for alpine tracks, but busiest; Great Walks need advance bookings.
- Autumn
- March-May: stable weather and larch and poplar colour around Arrowtown and Lake Hayes; Great Walks season ends 30 April.
- Winter
- June-August: snow and ice on alpine tracks; Ben Lomond and Routeburn need alpine skills and equipment; low-level walks remain open.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Weather in the Southern Alps changes quickly and hypothermia is a risk even in summer.
Hazard: Avalanche risk applies on alpine tracks and Rob Roy from May to November.
Hazard: Creek crossings on the Routeburn, Greenstone and Rob Roy roads can become impassable after heavy rain.
Hazard: Old mine shafts and steep drop-offs exist along the Mt Crichton Loop.
Hazard: Outdoor fires are banned year-round between Rat Point and Arthurs Point.
Hazard: Sandflies are common in Fiordland and at lake shores; carry repellent.