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