My favourite part of this hike, was the gondola. From thrill-seeking, to relaxation and mind games - there's an activity to suit everyone - at any time of the year. For about half an hour your views are limited to the surrounding hills. Distance: 11 km return Duration: 3-4 hr to Ben Lomond Saddle, 6-8 hr to Ben Lomond Summit. The Ben Lomond track is well signed from the Skyline Gondola. View 4 - Looking up to Ben Lomond Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the North Island, 10 Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary, A Helpful Okere Falls Walk Guide | The 7 Meter Plunge, Kuirau Park in Rotorua | Mud Pools, Lakes, & Geothermal Activity. But seriously, if your planning on doing the entire Ben Lomond, it’s quite the treat to be able to shave off an hour off your hike! Super accessible from the centre of town, this challenging climb has a 1,438m elevation gain that will keep you on your toes. Well sign up and join the TripTins community to receive monthly newsletters that will recap everything you need to know to make that trip as memorable as can be. At the bottom of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola, you will see signs pointing to the Tiki Trail. Some highlights from this video include: 00:01 The gondola to Bob's Peak below Ben Lomond The Ben Lomond Track starts at the top of Skyline Gondola. Ben Lomond track is a challenging track with a 1438m elevation gain of the walk. But despite its easy access and location to central Queenstown, the climb up has many challenges. Some of the guides currently up on the site include: And Dont Forget to Check Out the 10 Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary, Your email address will not be published. Difficulty: Advanced Best time of year to go: October till April / May. This hike is more difficult and you really have to plan it well so you can finish it in daylight. This view comes just after passing the Skyline complex at the top of the gondola. We hiked from the lake up Ben Lomond starting at the trail at the bottom where the gondola starts. Hilton Queenstown Resort (a bit further out of town). View 1 - Beginning the walk. The Ben Lomond track is well signed from the Skyline Gondola. This can be great as you know how close you are getting, or it can be very frustrating as you know how far away you are from the top. Climbing Ben Lomond in Queenstown Approaching Ben Lomond. How long does the Ben Lomond Track take to hike? Difficulty: Advanced Best time of year to go: October till April / May. The hike up Ben Lomond mountain is one of Queenstown’s best day hikes. The path is on a constant incline for the most part and will be made up of a dirt track with some steps sprinkled in throughout. Cecil and Walter Peaks So, you do actually have a few options here: 1) Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Up • Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Down ($0 NZD), 2) Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Up • Gondola Down ($29 NZD), 3) Gondola Up • Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Down ( $44 NZD – they do not sell one way up gondola tickets – only one way down. This way you can avoid hiking up during the hottest point of the day, and you can get back down in Queenstown before the sun starts going down. Since access to the Ben Lomond track from the One Mile Creek track has been closed, you have two options to reach the Ben Lomond summit: Option 1: Tiki Trail to the Skyline Gondola to the Ben Lomond Track This option is the best if you want a full-day hike straight from town. BEN LOMOND TRACK MAP. Visited in mid April, when the colours were starting to turn and all of the grass was yellow - quite a pretty sight. So once again, while you’re at the saddle you should assess your energy levels. The reward for 6-8 hours of walking (return) is a spectacular panoramic view of the Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu and the bustling town below. - See 686 traveler reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. The stunning panoramic views along the entire length of the track delight and entertain hikers the whole way. Just head down the track, take in the views and enjoy the last of what the Ben Lomond track has to offer. Beached As is narrow and flows well for the adrenaline seeking mountain biker but sticking to the Ben Lomond walking track is a much nicer experience for hikers. Below are some options at different price points to take a look at that are mostly within walking distance of town center: 3. Book your tickets online for Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown: See 686 reviews, articles, and 489 photos of Ben Lomond Track, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 80 attractions in Queenstown. Even from the Gondola it remains hidden until a short steep climb through a dark, dense forest of Douglas Firs brings it into view. ). Take the Gondola to Skyline, follow the signs to the saddle and the steep ascent on your left to the summit (1747m). amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Once at the top of the gondola, you can make the decision how you would like to get back into Queenstown (Gondola or Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent). On Lomond Crescent you’ll find the start of the Skyline Access Road. Overview Ben Lomond is a prominent peak just outside of Queenstown. Ben Lomond Track: Challenging walk from gondola - See 686 traveller reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. As you start the Ben Lomond Track from the gondola, the first part is through the woods and still shaded. • The Skyline Queenstown Gondola opens at 9AM. There are 3 potential starting points to the Ben Lomond Track: Ride the Skyline Gondola; Hike the Tiki Trail; Hike the Skyline Access Road; 1. It's a steep trek, so take suitable walking shoes. The track begins among Douglas fir on Skyline Access Road or the Tiki Trail. • Another thing to point out here is that on top of the gondola you will find a restaurant/café if you need to take a break and there is also the famous Queenstown luge – a fun option to maybe add to the end of your day. Experience magnificent lake and mountain views as you climb up the saddle. It includes everything I bring along on day hikes, and it will have you better prepared when taking part of trails all over New Zealand. If you are wondering what to bring along when taking part of hikes in general take a look at the comprehensive Hiking Packing List that I put together. If you feel like the hike to the saddle had taken the most energy from you, maybe it’s better to head back from there (a lot of people do it, so don’t get disappointed). The whole hike from the top of the Skyline Gondola to the Ben Lomond Summit and back should take at least 5-6 hours with stops. It’s the best day hike in Queenstown (and one of the best in New Zealand) and I highly recommend doing at least some of it. You can head over the Ben Lomond weather page for the latest – there are many Ben Lomond’s on the website so follow the link for the correct one. Ben Lomond Track: We did this after the gondola - See 686 traveler reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Required fields are marked *, Join our mailing list to receive the latest iTINeraries, guides & helpful tips to plan your next trip, TripTins is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This view comes just after passing the Skyline complex at the top of the gondola. • If you decide to take the Tiki Trail or trail from Lomond Crescent up and down, you will not need to pay anything to take part of Ben Lomond. This part of the trail is seriously no joke – the incline is as tough and technical as it gets and you will be using each and every muscle that you have. Ben Lomond Track: Hike - See 685 traveller reviews, 493 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. The Skyline Access Road will lead you halfway up Bob’s Peak, where you’ll find the signposted start to the single track at a large open area knows as the ‘Midway Clearing’. And soon enough the nice dirt path will end and you will start climbing your way up the technical rocks. Once you get through 2-3 hours of climbing, you should reach the Ben Lomond Saddle. You will need to watch your step and take it slow. When in Queenstown, the Ben Lomond hike is a “must do”. So there are actually two ways to arrive at the top of Ben Lomond and if you are lacking time and your fitness is not quite what you want it to be your best option might be to take the gondola. On our way back down we met an American soldier (on vacation! Ben Lomond is the main peak that overlooks Queenstown but its heights are not visible from the town itself until you scale its steep lower slopes. Enjoy hot pools, twilight wine tours, historic cruises on the Earnslaw & the famous Night Luge! At about 800 m altitude you leave the tree line behind to enter alpine tussocks and shrubs. © 2017 - 2021 Skyline Enterprises Limited. Another great thing about the Ben Lomond trail is you don’t have to hike the entire way to the summit to get amazing views and instead you can choose to only hike to the saddle. Sure there are countless others around the country – everything from Roys Peak in Wanaka to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the North Island. It will take you about 2 hours to hike to the saddle and then another 1 or 2 (of steeper and rougher track) to the summit. Keep an eye out along the way – the hidden artefacts in the forest will leave you feeling like you were in the company of giants. The first half of the Ben Lomond hike was slightly more time consuming than the way downhill. I like that it is not very difficult, and it’s … There are 3 potential starting points to the Ben Lomond Track: Ride the Skyline Gondola. After approximately 1-hour of hiking above Bob’s Peak you’ll reach the Ben Lomond saddle, where you’ll find a bench seat at an intersection with the Moonlight Track. For more information and up-to-date alerts about the Ben Lomond Track, access the official Department of Conservation website. I wanted to highlight some important facts to know before heading off for this hike. Once you have soaked in the views, retrace your steps on the way back. From the top stunning 360 degrees view, amazing hike!! From the Skyline complex, follow a well-signalled track through the woods until it emerges into an opening that will give you the first views of Ben Lomond towering above. The Ben Lomond Saddle walk is a 3 - 4 hour walk that can be accessed from the top of the gondola station. We did not do this but I think prices for the gondola start at around $40 NZD. The track makes its way above the Skyline, going much higher up but overlooking Lake Wakatipu from a similar angle. This route will lead you through old Douglas Fir’s and into some of Queenstown’s most beautiful native Beech forest. Ben Lomond Track – Gondola to Saddle The path from the top of the gondola to saddle is one of my favorites in all of New Zealand. Nowadays, Ben Lomond is one of the places where my family goes to remember my grandparents. 1. Take some time to take it all in because it is one special feeling to be on top of Queenstown and see these views for yourself. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; It is a great lakeside town with plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Starting & Ending Point: EITHER 1) From Queenstown OR 2) Top of Queenstown Gondola (more on those options soon), Length: 11 KM / 6.8 Miles from Top of Gondola • 14 KM / 8.7 Miles from Queenstown, Elevation Gain: 1,000 Meters / 3,280 Feet from Top of Gondola • 1,438 Meters / 4,718 Feet from Queenstown, Summit Elevation: 1,748 Meters / 5,735 Feet (Saddle Elevation: 1,326 Meters / 4,350 Feet), Time: 4-6 Hours from Top of Gondola / 6-8 Hours from Queenstown (round trip), Track: Dirt / Technical Rock for final summit push, Difficulty: Hard (the official NZ DOC website lists it as easy – not sure how they came up with that one!!). Oaks Shores (a bit further out of town), 2. Ben Lomond Hike Start Whether you ride the Skyline Gondola or climb up the Tiki Trail, you’ll want to follow the signs through the luge track to the official start. View 1 - Beginning the walk. Be careful not to venture onto the mountain bike trail which runs alongside this section of track – it’s signposted and the trail name is ‘Beached As’. Then once you walk out of the woods you get out in the open and this is where the track starts to go up through grassland. Otherwise, you’ll be walking up the Tiki Trail, which starts next to the gondola. Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown: Address, Phone Number, Ben Lomond Track Reviews: 5/5. See from the video but it was a good hike...you can skip the first part by taking the gondola … Adventuring up to Ben Lomond's summit is an out-and-back day hike with views that are arguably more rewarding than some of those you get on New Zealand's Great Walks. Ben Lomond from Gondola area The peak rises to 1,748 m (5,735 ft) and is reached by the purist up a steep zig zag track. It will take you about 2 hours to hike to the saddle and then another 1 or 2 (of steeper and rougher track) to the summit. See things to do in Queenstown at night here. Located at 1,748m over Queenstown and the Lake Wakatipu, the Ben Lomond summit is a bucket-list day hike for both hikers and adventure-seekers alike. Ben Lomond Track: Awesome Day Hike - Amazing Views - See 685 traveler reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Zoom in to see the various hiking options for the Ben Lomond Day Hike. During the hike you will cross private lands, so be mindful to leave no rubbish behind and stick to the formed track to avoid stock disturbance and farm hazards. We hiked from the lake up Ben Lomond starting at the trail at the bottom where the gondola starts. There’s only one way up to the summit from the Saddle, you’ll follow a narrow and exposed trail that will probably require some help from your hands for balance. Take the Gondola to Skyline, follow the signs to the saddle and the steep ascent on your left to the summit (1747m). Beyond the saddle, the track steepens and becomes very challenging. 2. Alternatively to starting at the base of the Queenstown Gondola, you can also start at Lomond Crescent road. Ben Lomond track is a challenging track with a 1438m elevation gain of the walk. Note that if you’re planning on hiking from town and not using the Skyline Gondola you’ll need 6-8 hours in total. Make sure you aren’t put off by the steep start to the hike, hang in there, it gets easier. The stunning panoramic views along the entire length of the track delight and entertain hikers the whole way. Ben Lomond Track: Big Hike and Big Payoff - See 685 traveller reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. The first part to the top of the gondola is pretty steep, then to the Ben Lomond saddle the slope is going up gently and the last part to the summit is very steep, if you scared of height don’t do the last part. Ben Lomond Summit (6-8 hour return hike) One of the highest peaks in the Wakatipu basin providing the most stunning views of the region. It's a steep trek, so take suitable walking shoes. For the first segment, the track begins at the Douglas fir stands via the Skyline Access Road and takes you through the alpine tussocks and shrubs. When you reach the summit of Ben Lomond, you’ll be rewarded with majestic 360-degree views of Queenstown, the Remarkables, Mt Aspiring National Park. As part of this we joined the initiative to combat the spread of the invasive wildings (yes, just like the wildings in Game of Thrones … except they’re trees, not people) and have a family plot above the gondola. Experience magnificent lake and mountain views as you climb up the saddle. It should also take about 45 minutes to get to the meet up with the Ben Lomond track so if you are trying to start your hike from Queenstown, either one of these options should work well for you. Take the opportunity here to use the bench seat as a resting point and give yourself time to fuel up with snacks. Yes, we took the gondola up and down, lazy bums! by CharlesJul 13, 2019Blog, New Zealand, New Zealand Blog. Ben Lomond Track (Hard Hike Option) The entire hike to the Ben Lomond Summit is 6-8 hours (return) over a distance of 9.5km (5.9miles). Nowadays, Ben Lomond is one of the places where my family goes to remember my grandparents. The hike to the summit does not require any specialised mountaineering equipment or experience, but it’s recommended to keep your focus and body weight pointing toward the uphill side of the trail to avoid an uncomfortable fall. When you break out of the trees on Bob’s Peak, you’ll see the clearly marked trail contouring alongside a ridgeline and despite the long and steady work to hike uphill, the views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu will give you the joy and inspiration you need to keep climbing. You can take the Skyline gondola part way up if you want to shorten the climb, but I usually start at the small signposted carpark on Lomond Crescent and take the 4-WD track up the first stretch. Skyline Gondola. Hike the Skyline Access Road. Entering the woods there is a small sign that displays the different distances and hiking times you’ll need to plan for the climb. Reward yourself with stunning 360° views over Queenstown and the surrounding region on this challenging hike to the peak of Ben Lomond, which starts from the Gondola base station in the heart of downtown. Read on to discover what else Queenstown has in store for you: Discover the best rainy day acitivities in Queenstown. Take note of the time here and set yourself a goal to keep moving toward the summit. Also note that this is a full day’s hike and the weather conditions can change rapidly, so be prepared with: The Ben Lomond Track is recommended to be completed during the summer season. Ben Lomond. 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