#travel #hikes 4,410' Up 1,097' Up Buy Now. This will siddle along the luge track. From there, follow the signs to the Ben Lomond Trail Summit 4h 30m, Last hour and half up to the summit and first hour and a half down are brutal. Both starts take you up a steep path climbing about 400 meters in one hour. 4,007' Down 8.9 mi I was skeptical of just how epic the Ben Lomond Track would be after taking in the view from the Skyline (the gondola-accessible viewing platform just above town). 7.6mi 6.9mi I finally managed to walk the Ben Lomond during a recent two week tramping holiday in the South Island - and it was worth every step. An hour and a half from leaving the gondola, you’ll arrive at the saddle between Ben Lomond (on the left) and Bowen Peak (on the right). The official start of the Ben Lomond Track is actually atop the massive mountain sitting above Queenstown at the Skyline Gondola Park. It was named after the Ben Lomond mountain in Scotland. 6.9mi, 6.9mi 1170.66 m Up This is about an injury or accident 1344.19 m Up The Ben Lomond track starts at the beginning of the Skyline Gondola which is on Beacon Street. The track to the top has a steady gradient and is in most places more than a metre wide. Recommend taking the gondola to skyline then go to summit from there but walk all the way down as there’s pretty nature on the trail 750ml and 1 frooze ball to summit. 4,013' Down 333.82 m Down, 4.6 mi Enjoy Queenstown's best walks and hikes including Ben Lomond track, Bob's Peak and Fernhill Loop. Incredible experience. 3h 58m, Beautiful view. 6-8 hrs from Queenstown (40km) Be sure to take; water, sunscreen, hat, layers/ wind jacket, and snacks. 3,841' Up — • Taking other people's content (text, photos, etc) without permission is a copyright violation and From here the track climbs to a ridgeline, with views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and from there you’ll climb to the Ben Lomond saddle, at 1,326 m. The track crosses mountain bike trails so keep an eye out for cyclists hurtling down hill. Tiki Trail (1 hour walk) Starting at the base of the Gondola, the Tiki Trail is an alternative route to get … Spam? Something else? Hard work, but worth it. 31.0 km Start / finish point: The Gondola base station on Brecon Street, or you can cut out the Tiki Trail and start from the top of the Skyline Gondola access road. 1133.49 m Down, 19.2 mi The Ben Lomond Track is a demanding climb and a full day's hike with an 1,438 m elevation gain. Some focaccia and 1 muesli bar at summit. Ben Lomond is a mountain in Otago on the outskirts of Queenstown. My trek started and ended on tiki trail — The saddle is often the place I stopped as a little kid, not being big enough to make it … 1748m - Ben Lomond peak. Commonly seen are goats and if not seen are definitely smelt! 3,891' Up 6.9mi • In addition, you’ll also save yourself another hour hike on the way back down. Xx AK. 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. 1185.95 m Up 31.0 km 4h 45m, Trail was great with a foggy view of Queenstown until noon. There are three ways to start the hike: From Lomond Crescent road; from Tiki trail at the base of Skyline Gondola; or take the Skyline Gondola up and then start the trail, which cuts down about 1 hour and 400m of elevation gain. The Ben Lomond track can be accessed via three main routes that start at the One Mile Carpark, the access road on Lomond Crescent or from the Skyline Building on Brecon Street. Controls at the border remain for those entering New Zealand. The Ben Lomond Track starts at the top of Bob’s Peak, a forested hill above Queenstown. 656.07 m Up Experience magnificent lake and mountain views as you climb up the saddle. From the gondola complex look for the well-signed route that veers into the woods from the luge track. The views are pretty great and the path is well-kept. Best time of year to go: October till April / May. — Combined with the Tiki Trail, the Ben Lomond Track is 14 km long. This is private land so please keep to the tracks to avoid disturbing farm animals. 3h 09m, Also did the tiki trail up to Queenstown skyline and back which took about an hour and a half Ben Lomond Track via Skyline Queenstown is a 7.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand that offers scenic views and is rated as difficult. Remember that the summit is only your halfway point and the descent can be as demanding as the climb, so start early and allow plenty of daylight for your climb. Next time you find yourself in Queenstown, be sure to check out this amazing hike. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. The climb begins at the tiki trail at the base of the skyline gondola and zig zags through some Douglas fir forest before presenting you at the Skyline Gondola complex. Some short portions pass through dense pine forests. 655.62 m Down, 19.2 mi From here, there is a marked track to Ben Lomond. 7.2 km From the gondola complex look for the well-signed route that veers into the woods from the luge track. 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. © Copyright 2021 Destination Queenstown. You can also start near Lomond Crescent. 6.9mi, Start from the very bottom and you get a beautiful beginning to your hike through a list riparian zone. PO Box 353 (DX ZX10313) One part of the walk was along a track under the shade of pine trees. The Ben Lomond Walkway hiking experience The track starts climbing through a plantation of firs, before you leave the forest behind and enter tussock country, where you’ll be able to see Ben Lomond above you. The path from the top of the gondola to the saddle is longer but less steep while the path from the saddle to summit in shorter but much steeper and technical. Walking Tracks at Bob’s Peak: Skyline Loop Track and Ben Lomond Track. Travelers can also take the Skyline Queenstown gondola to Hammy's Track, which eventually merges with Ben Lomond Track. Expect a very steep trail along exposed ridgelines with panoramic views gracing the entire route. From the top of the gondola, the trail is 11km or 6.8 miles and from Queenstown, the trail is 14 km or 8.6 miles. Final ascent for the last mile is very steep. 1 hour to saddle, 40 mins to summit. • 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. • 6h 53m, Track is extremely muddy and can get really icy toward the summit, decent shoes are highly recommended. The main bird on seen is the Pipit. The track makes its way above the Skyline, going much higher up but overlooking Lake Wakatipu from a similar angle. From the gondola complex look for the well-signed route that veers into the woods from the luge track. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from November until April. 14.3 km Insider’s tip: This trail intersects with the Moonlight Track, so instead of heading to the summit of Ben Lomond, you can detour onto the Moonlight and head for Arthur’s Point or Moke Lake. 2,151' Down NOT OKAY! Te-taumata-o-Hakitekura is the Maori name for the mountain. From the top of the gondola the track is 11 km long. 334.39 m Up 6.9mi, Great hike. 3h 30m, Amazing trail. From the top of the gondola, it takes 4 to 5 hours and from Queenstown, it takes 6 to 7 hours to complete the trail. 4,410' Down 5h 20m, Approx. Queenstown Tourism; Queenstown Hotels; Queenstown Bed and Breakfast; Queenstown Vacation Rentals; Queenstown Vacation Packages; Flights to Queenstown; Queenstown Restaurants Ben Lomond towers above Queenstown and offers a rare opportunity to ascend a lofty New Zealand peak via a well-trodden route. • Difficulty: Moderate. You can take a gondola up (cost $44 NZD per Adult) where you will find a nice restaurant, bathroom, and water fountain. — 3,719' Down It was a relaxing escape from the busy streets of Queenstown. Lovely route. 6.9mi, A great view of Queenstown Ben Lomond at its highest is 1,748 metres (5,735 ft). • At the lower levels the main tree is the introduced Douglas Fir which is being actively managed. 10.2mi During our first visit, Jon and I too a stroll around the hill and did the 30-minute Loop Track. Finding the Ben Lomond Track. Although Ben Lomond can be done from Queenstown proper, a start from the top of the Skyline Gondola will save an hour of work (not to mention around 400 metres of vertical climb). • — After an initial short walk through plantation forest the trail descends as it emerges into open tussocks that give your first views of Ben Lomond towering above - an impressive sight! How long is the Ben Lomond Track? 5. Length 7.1 miElevation gain 3343 ftRoute type Out & back 6mi, 6.9mi Reaching the Saddle takes about 2 hours one-way. Hiking Ben Lomond: the gondola route (2-3 hours return) There are two main ways to tackle this peak. • — • 1221.84 m Up Once you reach the saddle between Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak the track climbs the northeast ridge until it loops around and gains the summit from western side. Ben Lomond track is a challenging track with a 1438m elevation gain of the walk. After making your way up, either through the Douglas fir forest or by gondola, you will start your ascent to the Ben Lomond Saddle. The Ben Lomond Track is of medium - advanced difficulty and requires being reasonaby fit. Description Although Ben Lomond can be done from Queenstown proper, a start from the top of the Skyline Gondola will save an hour of work (not to mention around 400 metres of vertical climb). Trail. Despite the ease of access, this is a serious climb up a major peak. — Plan your trip to be down before the sun sets! Distance from Queenstown: Leave from the bottom of the Gondola. The main native tree is Mountain Beech while the above the treeline the mountain is covered in tussock. See family-friendly walking tracks and day hikes here. Although the snow makes the route significantly more challenging, the views afforded … Although Ben Lomond can be done from Queenstown proper, a start from the top of the Skyline Gondola will save an hour of work (not to mention around 400 metres of vertical climb). In the winter, the hike gets a complete makeover by the soft blankets of snow, especially closer to the peak. . • I’ll be honest though, we decided to go up the gondola and come down knocking off about an hour and 40 minutes off our round trip. Price: Adult $69, Child $51. After the saddle you’ll enter Ben Lomond Station. The Tiki Trail is just your warm-up before tackling the Ben Lomond walkway, heading for the saddle or pushing on to the summit. — • Do yourself a favor and use the gondola starting point. Hot Deal. An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. Being a jerk / offensive? The track starts climbing through a plantation of firs, before you leave the forest behind and enter tussock country, where you’ll be able to see Ben Lomond above you. A … How long does the Ben Lomond Track take to hike? 750ml on descent. On clear days trampers are rewarded at the summit with spectacular panoramic views. The track to Ben Lomond — a prominent mountain in Queenstown towering 1748m above sea level — is described on the Department of Conservation website as "a demanding climb and a full day’s hike with a 1438m elevation gain. Ben Lomond Track: After ascending the hill from Queenstown (either by foot or gondola) the track follows the ridge just below the top. Ben Lomond Track is free to access and can be reached on foot. How difficult is the Ben Lomond Track? 1344.03 m Down, 4.4 mi The Ben Lomond Track starts at the top of Skyline Gondola. Brutal in blazing sun. On clear days trampers are rewarded at the summit with spectacular panoramic views". Ben Lomond Track – Gondola to Saddle Once you reach the top of the gondola, you’ll follow an undulating track up to the saddle (1,326m). By taking the gondola you will cut out a steep one hour climb up the mountain. Be prepared for changeable conditions. Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown: Address, Phone Number, Ben Lomond Track Reviews: 5/5 Please explain. Bundle the Gondola & 6 Luge rides online and save up to $31 per person! The hike is gorgeous, though steep at the top. The trail begins in the gondola car park and ascends quickly through a forest of Douglas Fir trees which you will hike through for about an hour and a half over a few downhill mountain bike trails before the trail turns into tussock and scrub and incredible views of the summit Ben Lomond begin to show themselves. Read our guide to outdoor safety for more information. New Zealand is now at Covid-19 Alert Level 1. 7.4 km — 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. 1223.17 m Down, 9.7 mi The Ben Lomond hike is a full day mission. Where the steepness is above average steps are … Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown: Address, Phone Number, Ben Lomond Track Reviews: 5/5 Queenstown, New Zealand, Official website of Queenstown NZ Follow us and share your stories #queenstownlive, Travel Alert: Temporary border measures in place. 1,095' Down The Tiki Trail, a short but steep climb with rewarding views Ben Lomond Walkway. 15.6 km The track becomes steeper and rougher with more and more spectacular views, until you reach the summit of Ben Lomond at 1,748m. The Ben Lomond track can be broken down into two distinct parts – the trail to the saddle followed by the ascent to the summit. Cookies are used for measurement, ads and optimization. Stop just before reaching the visible footbridge turning left at the signposted "Ben Lomond track" and leaving the luge track. 4,009' Up Path of Ben Lomond Track. But doable for even a layperson. By continuing to use our site you agree to our Privacy Policy. Let people know where you’re going, wear appropriate footwear, carry warm layers including waterproofs, and take plenty of food and water. Tips for Ben Lomond Track. Here an interpretation panel helps you identify the peaks that surround you. This is an exposed alpine track and mountain weather is changeable. At the Gondola cafe, turn hard left up a track towards the luge. Alina Suchanski went to check it out. Some mud and sliding rock. Duration: 3-4 hr to Ben Lomond Saddle, 6-8 hr to Ben Lomond Summit. If you want to take the gondola, then buy your ticket here for a cheaper rate: Skyline Gondola 7mi In the summer, Ben Lomond is an easy rated track flooded with tourists. Bring warmer clothes for higher elevations since it is starting to cool down. 2-3 hrs return from Gondola. Ben Lomond Track. • The track to Ben Lomond begins in Queenstown itself, making this an exceptionally easy mountain to access. You will see a huge orange triangle DoC marker directing you onto the Ben Lomond track through the forrest. Just below the saddle is the turn-off to Arthurs Point on the Moonlight track. 2,152' Up 6.9mi 7h 00m, Create Recommended Route or A view of the track somewhere between the saddle and the peak. Facts About Ben Lomond New Zealand. 1221.29 m Down. Luckily this is where the Skyline Gondola goes, and you can shave a good chunk of time (and effort) by riding up and starting your hike from the top. 4h 20m, Skyline Gondola halfway up/down