Ben Lomond. It is a popular and easy to follow track. As you decide when to head out on the trail I highly recommend doing so on the clearest day possible. 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’. We hiked from the lake up Ben Lomond starting at the trail at the bottom where the gondola starts. ). 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. Do you want to stay up to date and receive the latest travel iTINeraries, guides and tips to better plan your next trip around the world? We did not do this but I think prices for the gondola start at around $40 NZD. Gondola Open Hours: Tap here for Skyline Queenstown Gondola open hoursGondola Prices: Tap here for Skyline Queenstown Gondola prices. 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!!). View 2 - A steep climb to the saddle. - See 686 traveler reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. © 2017 - 2021 Skyline Enterprises Limited. Mentioned earlier you can either start the trail in Queenstown (either the base of the Queenstown Gondola or on Lomond Crescent road), or you can make your way to the top of the Queenstown Gondola and begin the trail up Ben Lomond from there. It may take just about the same time on the way down that it did on the way up just because of how technical it is. One misstep and you could seriously hurt yourself. The first part of the hike that leaves from the top of the gondola lulls you into a false sense of security. 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. The Ben Lomond Track starts at the top of Skyline Gondola. It’s practically in the city, but still sufficiently challenging and offers a great scenic view of the area from Lake Wakatipu, Arthur’s Point and Queenstown.It doesn’t take much effort to get on this hike – the trailhead starts just 10 minutes walk from Queenstown city center. Type: Moderate Hike. Soon enough though you will begin to reach the top of the Ben Lomond Track at 1,748 meters. If you want to decide before this then you would need to opt for the hike up from Queenstown. For more information and up-to-date alerts about the Ben Lomond Track, access the official Department of Conservation website. 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. 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. As you are making the climb you will consistently see the top of Ben Lomond the entire time. The Ben Lomond Saddle walk is a 3 - 4 hour walk that can be accessed from the top of the gondola station. For about half an hour your views are limited to the surrounding hills. 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. The hike up Ben Lomond mountain is one of Queenstown’s best day hikes. Description. 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. amzn_assoc_title = ""; From the bottom terminal of Skyline Queenstown, taking a scenic Gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak … 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). If you decide for this option you will essentially be overpaying for a one way gondola ride as you would need to buy a round trip). The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from November until April. Ben Lomond Track: Ben Lomond Track - See 686 traveller reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. If you are tired you can use the gondola to go down. 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. The trail is actually longer if you start in town. Overview Ben Lomond is a prominent peak just outside of Queenstown. 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. Ben Lomond Track: Awesome Day Hike - Amazing Views - See 685 traveler reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Have fun out there! If there are many clouds on the day you are hiking, these views may be obstructed and could have a negative impact on the trail. A challenging hike to beautiful vistas above Queenstown and the Lake Wakatipu basin, Ben Lomond is a hike you don't want to miss when you come to New Zealand. Ben Lomond is known as one of the most beautiful tramps in New Zealand. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; If there is low cloud coverage, that can get in the way of the views both during the hike and on top of the mountain. 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. There are 3 potential starting points to the Ben Lomond Track: From the bottom terminal of Skyline Queenstown, taking a scenic Gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak will save you (and your knees) up to one hour of hiking. This can be a full day walk so take extra clothing, drinks and food. 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. Oaks Shores (a bit further out of town), 2. Difficulty: Advanced Best time of year to go: October till April / May. As you start the Ben Lomond Track from the gondola, the first part is through the woods and still shaded. • 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. The path from the top of the gondola to saddle is one of my favorites in all of New Zealand. Entering the woods there is a small sign that displays the different distances and hiking times you’ll need to plan for the climb. 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. At the saddle you will then be pointed left up towards the final summit push. Even in the height of summer the elevation and exposure to cold winds can lower the temperature drastically, so be prepared to throw on a warm layer and a windproof jacket. What made Ben Lomond so special for me was the constant views of Lake Wakatipu down below during the first part of the hike, followed by the never ending views of the mountain ranges as I made my way to the summit. In winter you are required to carry and be able to use alpine equipment such as ice axe and crampons, as the track may change between snow and ice to very slippery and muddy. Overview Ben Lomond is a prominent peak just outside of Queenstown. 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. Shortly after you begin the Ben Lomond track, you will exit the forest and be welcomed to vast views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu down below. When in Queenstown, the Ben Lomond hike is a “must do”. As the path meanders its way up and around to the saddle of the Ben Lomond track you start to believe that surely the dauntingly advertised 6 hours surely cannot … The stunning panoramic views along the entire length of the track delight and entertain hikers the whole way. If you are looking for an amazing winter holiday filled with activities for the whole family, look no more: you’ll find a real winter wonderland in Queenstown. 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. 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. TIP: I usually use Meteoblue for my mountain weather and you are able to see cloud coverage / number of hours of sun on a day by day basis. This view comes just after passing the Skyline complex at the top of the gondola. Super accessible from the centre of town, this challenging climb has a 1,438m elevation gain that will keep you on your toes. Hike the Tiki Trail. While it looks like the peak is just right in front of you, it is actually another hour to get up there. 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. 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. The Ben Lomond track is well signed from the Skyline Gondola. When in Queenstown, the Ben Lomond hike is a “must do”. amzn_assoc_linkid = "c5ca1a34ebb2d0024e0cd3f07dcd3cb3"; This view comes just after passing the Skyline complex at the top of the gondola. Reaching the Saddle takes about 2 hours one-way. If taking part of the trail you are most likely doing so from Queenstown. When I think of hiking in New Zealand, one of the first ones to come to mind will always be the Ben Lomond Track in Queenstown. 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. Experience magnificent lake and mountain views as you climb up the saddle. Once you get through 2-3 hours of climbing, you should reach the Ben Lomond Saddle. Beyond the saddle is Ben Lomond Station where the track becomes a marked route. It is NOT for everyone and you need to be in good physical condition to complete the track. 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. If you begin your hike in the Queenstown CBD, you’ll gain a total of 1,438-metres of elevation in just 5.5-kilometres (11-kilometres return). Like mentioned earlier, it can get very chilly and windy on top now that you have stopped moving and are just standing on the peak. We hiked from the lake up Ben Lomond starting at the trail at the bottom where the gondola starts. Shortly after you begin the Ben Lomond track, you will exit the forest and be welcomed to vast views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu down below. Skyline Gondola. Ben Lomond Saddle Walk. As you make your way up be sure to turn around a few times to take in those lake views too! For about half an hour your views are limited to the surrounding hills. Just head down the track, take in the views and enjoy the last of what the Ben Lomond track has to offer. Enjoy hot pools, twilight wine tours, historic cruises on the Earnslaw & the famous Night Luge! 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. Ben Lomond Track: Good hike - See 686 traveller reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. 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.
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