Nestled between towering mountains and the shimmering waters of Lake Wakatipu, you’ll find the charming and ever-popular town of Queenstown, New Zealand. It’s no wonder this spot is often hailed as one of the most picturesque towns in the world.
With its dramatic peaks, Queenstown is a true hiker’s haven. Whether you’re up for conquering sky-high mountains or just fancy a casual stroll around the lake, there’s a HUGE variety of trails to suit every adventurer. Some of the best hikes start right in town—just an hour of walking, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
But it doesn’t stop there! Just a short drive away, you can explore even more gorgeous areas like Wanaka and Lake Hawera, each offering a plethora of trails to put your boots to good use.
I’ve ventured through many a mountain in the Queenstown region and I’m freaaaaakin excited to bring you this list of my TOP hikes in and around this magical mountain town.
So, buckle up your boots, my friends. Let’s get into the good stuff.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
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If you’re a hiker travelling to New Zealand, you’re going to be blessed with some of the best trails in the world. Many of those are tucked away in the south island, and a few are easily accessible from the popular town of Queenstown.
Queenstown is literally known as the adventure capital of the world! So it attracts a pretty cool crowd – many of which you’ll probably come across on your trials. Not only is it brimming with epic hiking trails but it’s also home to rugged mountain biking terrains, bungy jumping, skydiving and seriously, so much more.
The trails in Queenstown come in all different shapes and sizes. From easy strolls to traversing treacherous mountains – depending on which trail you choose and the time of year you do it, you’ll find a range of options, no matter your skill level.
As there is a large range of mountains and lakes, you’ll find there is a mix of tracks. The more challenging ones are summiting the mighty peaks that surround the town. However, there are more chilled options that are often lake-side and offer up some beautiful spots for swimming along the way.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
New Zealand Trail Safety
Hiking in Queenstown doesn’t come without its risk (as goes for hiking anywhere in the world!) Being prepared for what’s ahead is a HUGE part of being a good hiker. It’s important to understand your own fitness levels and the difficulty of the journey ahead.
Here are a few of my top tips for keeping safe on the trails:
- Let someone know you’re going – Hiking 101, always let someone know where you’re going and how long you expect to be.
- Don’t leave home without a plan – Research the track you’re about to tackle so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
- Pack the right gear – What you need to take will depend on the season, the distance, etc. You’ll find more information on what to pack throughout and at the end of this article.
- Check the weather forecast – This step is crucial. You’ll want to know if it’s expected to piss down, snow or be exceptionally hot so that you can prepare.
- Leave plenty of time – This is especially important in winter when the days are shorter. Leave as early as possible and always take a good head torch, juuuuust in case.
- Take enough food and water – I can’t drill this one home enough. Take enough food, snacks and a shit load of water. I’ve hiked without enough water before, and in summer, I can tell you now… it was not fun.
- Respect the wildlife – New Zealand’s wildlife is mostly pretty safe, so you shouldn’t come across anything too scary on your hikes. But respect that you’re wandering through their home and keep your distance.
- Get good travel insurance – an absolute no-brainer. Even when you are super prepared, shit can still go wrong.
Best Places to Stay in Queenstown
Hulbert House
If you enjoy the finer things in life, you’re going to LOVE Hulbert House. It’s got that traditional luxury feel to it. The views across the lakes and the bangin’ breakfast are my favourite aspects to this stay.
Adventure Q2 Hostel
For those of you travelling on a tighter budget, this one is for you. With both dorm rooms and private rooms available, it’s a great place to stay for any broke backpacker. Plus, it’s smack bang in the middle of town.
Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….
These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.
Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…
Get Yours Here Read Our Review1. Ben Lomond
This sneaky track is tucked just behind the tourist centre of Queenstown. My friends and I literally started this walk from our hostel, we walked to the trailhead and before we knew it, we were in a winter wonderland. It felt surreal to think that a mere few hours earlier, we had been strolling past Gucci and Patagonia Ice Cream on the Queenstown waterfront.
The Ben Lomond Hike is my favourite hike in Queenstown. Not only just because of its accessibility but also because of its INSANE views. We hiked the track in September so were blessed with a light sprinkling of snow but nothing too heavy.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
You’ve got two options when it comes to hiking up ol’ Ben Lomond:
- To the summit: This one takes guts and is not for the faint-hearted (or those without crampons or an ice axe on icy and snowy days). The toughest and most treacherous part of the track is the 1.748 metres after the saddle to the summit. You’ll find the track is pretty rugged and has some steep drop-offs. But if you’re up for it, the views are out-of-this-world.
- To the saddle: Hiking to the saddle follows the same track as the submit. You just turn around before hitting the final stretch. This is slightly shorter but don’t worry, you don’t miss out on the views.
You know that surreal feeling you get when you return to “normality” after an experience in the mountains? That is exactly how it feels when you head back into the bustling tourist town of Queenstown! You’ll look back and think how the f*ck is all that magic hidden just behind the mountains. I can’t recommend this track enough.
- Length: 14km/ 10km
- Duration: 6-8 hours/ 5 hours
- Difficulty: Difficult
2. Queenstown Hill
If you’re after maximum views for minimal hiking energy, Queenstown Hill is the PERFECT easy-moderate hike to get your blood pumping enough to feel satisfied but not absolutely dead. I’m not saying it’s a walk in the park, but compared to some of the other hikes around it’s a lot more manageable.
There is a reason this track is so popular and that’s because of its wildly beautiful views across the mountains and lake of Queenstown. You know when you’ve reached the summit as you’ll get to see the Basket of Dreams which is a steel sculpture designed to inspire dreaming <3
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
This 5km return track climbs is around 600m from downtown Queenstown. You’ll find it’s an extremely well-maintained track and should take you 1.5 hours at a slower pace. Pack a lunch to enjoy at the top and soak in the views across Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
- Distance: 5km return
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
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View on REI Read the Review3. Tiki Trial
The Tiki Trial is another banger hike that you can do right from the centre of town (no transport required), you just need to get your booty to the Skyline Gonada. Yes, the summit of the Tiki Trial is the same viewing deck as the one you get when you get to the top of the infamous Skyline Gonada.
This is where the temptation to jump on the Gondola to the top can lead the weaker hikers astray… don’t be like these hikers. Head up, stay strong! There’s a mission to be completed.
Not only do you get to enjoy a decent hike through beautiful New Zealand bush and get some HELLA views from the top – but you can also relish that smug feeling as you look around, knowing that these suckers paid $60 NZD to be there and you didn’t pay a cent! Muahaha.
- Distance: 4.2km return
- Time needed: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
4. Bobs Cove
This is another shorter one for you adventurers with less time on your hands! But don’t worry, you won’t be sacrificing the views – Bob’s Cove is another bloody banger in terms of sights to be seen. Tucked between Queenstown and Glenorchy, you’ll want to add this one to your hit list.
Bob’s Cove will take you less than 30 minutes from the trailhead to reach, but along the way, you’ll get to marvel at views of The Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, Bob’s Cove (of course) and the rest of the surrounding peninsula. It’s seriously gorgeous.
If you hit this track on a clear day, you’ll really get to see the water sparkle. The trailhead is about a 20-minute drive out of town so it’s not far but you will need your own transport to reach it.
- Distance: 2km loop
- Time needed: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
5. Sunshine Bay Track
If you’re after an easy hike with glorious views, let me introduce to you the Sunshine Bay Track (one of Queenstown’s best-kept secrets). This gem of a walk is another one that you can do from the centre of town, however, it doesn’t technically start until just outside of Queenstown.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
The walk to the trailhead from town is along the lake’s edge toward Glenorchy, so it’s a nice way to extend the trail. Once you hit the real start of the track, the track will take you up through the bush and then down to Sunshine Bay.
This is another hike best done in summer to enjoy maximum sunshine and maximum refreshing in the water. The beach here is often pretty quiet, it’s the perfect place to relax and listen to nature sing its song.
- Distance: 4km return
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
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View on Osprey View on REI6. Lake Hayes Walkway
Lake Hayes is another relatively easy hike that you can bash out in a couple of hours (at a steady pace). It’s located just a 10-minute drive outside of Queenstown. The path is extremely well-maintained and flat. It’s even a hike I’d say you could tackle with a baby in tow… yep, that’s right – even a stroller could handle this seriously well-maintained path.
The track goes around the edge of Lake Hayes, showing off epic views of the surrounding mountains and of course, the gorgeous lake. This track is a loop, so there are new sights to enjoy the whole way around, before ending up back where you started. I do love a loop track!
Lake Hayes Walkway is particularly popular at sunset. The reflection on the lake is unreal with the fiery sky lighting up the whole area. It’s pretty magical. If it gets dark, don’t stress – it’s super easy to walk back on with a good head touch.
- Distance: 8km loop
- Time needed: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
Other Hikes Near Queenstown
I know this article is all about hikes in Queenstown, but a couple of my favourites are just outside – but not too far outside, I promise! The furthest away is a 1.5-hour drive… and I tell you what, it’s bloody well worth it.
7. Roys Peak
It’s no secret that Roys Peak is a gem of a hike – if you’ve done some research into hiking in New Zealand, you’ve probably come across it already. It’s one of the most popular hikes for those visiting Queenstown and Wanaka. Just an hour’s drive from Queenstown, this one is a goodie to add to the list.
The hike is pretty challenging – especially if you’re like me and you tackle it on the 1st of January in the blistering heat with a mildly slightly severe hangover. Not my best move… but absolutely no regrets! By the top, I swear I was physically picking up my legs to make them move. BUT Roys Peak still stands to be one of my all-time favourite hikes.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
My friends and I walked up for sunset in the middle of summer, which was seriously f*cking amazing. The whole sky lit up purple, the mountains were glowing. I couldn’t believe it. However, if you’re going to do this – you’ll need a good head torch for the way down.
Winter (June – September):
- You’ll need to bring some warm clothes with you, it can get pretty damn chilly at the top.
- Good hiking boots are crucial – when the snow starts to melt the surface can get pretty slippery.
- Check the snow forecast before you go and if it’s had a heavy dump, either leave it for the pros or pack your crampons and ice axe to tackle your way up.
- Take note of the shorter winter daylight hours and be sure to make tracks early.
Summer (December – March):
- It is often pretty warm on the track for most of the way but you do get pretty high at the peak, so taking a good jacket to keep you warm is important. Especially if you want to chill out and take in the views from the top without being rather sweaty and rather cold.
- Take plenty of water, you’re gonna sweat a lot.
On a clear day, you can see the teeny tiny car park from the top and it slowly starts to get close over the hours of walking on the way down. But don’t focus on that, keep your eyes up on the INCREDIBLE views in front of you – spanning across Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. It’s bloody impressive.
- Length: 16 km
- Duration: 6-8 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
8. Isthmus Peak
Isthmus Peak is just a bit further away from Roys Peak, which is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Queenstown. It is an absolutely BANGER of a hike. It’s a great alternative to Roys Peak if you want to do a hike that’s less popular. No crowds of travellers lining up to take photos here. Just you, a few other off-track adventures and some of Mother Nature’s best work to admire.
Straddling both Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawera, the 360 views from the top are out-the-gate (which translated from Kiwi lingo meanings AMAZING). Most of the track is a zig-zagging 4WD track, which is well maintained but I’m telling you now, there are a ton of zigs to zag.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Most of the hike on the basin track is east-facing and attempting it in the middle of the day in summer would be HOT, to say the least. If you decide to face the burning beast at this time of day, pack water and sunscreen – you’re gonna need it.
It’s important to know that every year between 20 November and 20 December, the track is closed for farming. There is also hunting at Glen Dene Station between March and May, so try to avoid the track then. If you do hike it during this time; stay alert, cautious and visible.
- Length: 16km
- Duration: 5-7 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate/ Difficult
Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.
Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!
Buy on REIHiking in Queenstown will allow you to marvel at some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Being able to trek on any of these trails is bucket list stuff for many hikers. But being prepared is extremely very important to make sure you have the best time possible.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Some of these hikes will require you to take specialist equipment (crampons, an ice axe, etc), especially in the colder months. But mostly, you’ll just need some reliable clothes and a good pair of hiking boots. My go-to pair are the Women’s Targhee II Waterproof Mid-Hiking Boots.
The reliable clothing that you need to prepare will depend on the season and weather when you embark on your hike. A good layer of thermals will be important for the colder months to keep you insulated. The Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino is my go-to, I have far more of these than I probably need!
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork
- Price > $$$
- Weight > 17 oz.
- Grip > Cork
Petzl Actik Core Headlamp
- Price > $$
- Weight > 1.9 oz
- Lumens > 160
Merrell Moab 2 WP Low
- Price > $$
- Weight > 2 lbs 1 oz
- Waterproof > Yes
Osprey Daylite Plus
- Price > $$$
- Weight > 20 oz
- Capacity > 20L
GRAYL Geopress
- Price > $$$
- Weight > 16 oz
- Size > 24 oz
Osprey Aether AG70
- Price > $$$
- Weight > 5 lbs 3 oz
- Capacity > 70L
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2P
- Price > $$$$
- Weight > 3.7 lbs
- Capacity > 2 person
Garmin GPSMAP 64sx Handheld GPS
- Price > $$
- Weight > 8.1 oz
- Battery Life > 16 hours
Don’t Forget Your Queenstown Travel Insurance
Never hit the road without decent travel insurance to have your back if shit goes wrong. Oh, and if you’re doing extreme hiking, be sure to check that your insurance covers you for your specific activities.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Hiking in Queenstown
As you can see, I’m a HUGE advocate for getting your boots on and exploring Queenstown. Although the town is gorgeous, my favourite places are far far away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown’s tourist centre.
Getting nestled amongst the mountains and diving into the surrounding lakes is the best way to truly experience Queenstown’s magic. But a trip into town to demolish a Ferg Burger at the end of a good day’s hiking is ALWAYS a good idea.
Whether you’re a pro with plenty of time for hiking or a beginner with limited time to hit the hills, there are so many hikes in Queenstown for everyone. I hope you found a trail in this list that tickles your fancy! If you do give one ago, please let me know how you find it or if you have any other tips and tricks to share 🙂
Happy hiking, my friends!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Queenstown for a wealth of info!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in New Zealand if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Queenstown before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get for your next destination with our ultimate Oceania backpacking guide.
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