Ben Lomond Track
The Ben Lomond Track is a full day hike rewarding trampers with spectacular 360-degree views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. Starting in Queenstown you wind up through the trees to the top of the Skyline Gondola, from there continue following a well groomed path up through open terrain to Ben Lomond Saddle. beyond the saddle is Ben Lomond Station. From here, the terrain becomes steeper and rougher, with sections of scree as it approaches Ben Lomond's 1,748m summit.
Routes/Access:
Tiki Trail to Ben Lomond Summit
Time: 6-8 hr return
Distance: 14 km return
This track starts from the Skyline Gondola base on Brecon street.
The track begins among Douglas fir on the Tiki Trail behind the stone wall of the cemetery. At about 800m altitude you leave the tree line behind to enter alpine tussocks and shrubs. Climb to the 1,326 m Ben Lomond Saddle.
Beyond the saddle is Ben Lomond Station where the track crosses private land and is unmaintained. From here, the terrain becomes steeper and rougher. The hardest part of the climb remains as you approach Ben Lomond's 1,748 m summit.
Tiki Trail to Ben Lomond Saddle
Time: 5 hr return
Distance: 10 km return
Skyline Gondola top complex to Ben Lomond Saddle
Time: 3-4 hr return
Distance: 7 km return
You can save an hour’s walk by avoiding the tiki trail on the Ben Lomond Track, by riding the Gondola to the Skyline complex and hiking to the Ben Lomond Saddle, or onto Ben lomond Station and back.
This is a good option for trampers who would like to take in the views while building the fitness and experience required to hike to the summit. Also the Tiki Trail is well covered and offers very few views of Queenstown
Getting There:
Located near central Queenstown, the four access points to this track are:
- the Tiki Trail, starting next to the Skyline Gondola base station at the top of Brecon Street (best option)
- the bottom of the Skyline Access Road on Lomond Crescent
- from One Mile Creek Track which starts at the Fernhill roundabout (navigation required)
- the Skyline Gondola - return or can pay for a one-way ticket downhill.
For more up to date information on the track conditions, access and recommendations visit the DOC website:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/queenstown-area/things-to-do/ben-lomond-track/