The walk to the top of Queenstown Hill starts at Belfast Terrace, right in the centre of the city, and climbs 907 metres to the peak, for fabulous views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountain ranges beyond. There is very limited parking at the trailhead; instead, consider starting your hike right in the centre of Queenstown, which adds about 15 minutes each way to the walk.
Queenstown Hill Summit Day Walk: A Must-Do Adventure
Lace up your boots for the Queenstown Hill summit walk, a top New Zealand short hike with sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
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Snowy mountain ranges. A lake so blue it looks retouched. It's a screensaver; a blueprint for what every panorama should look like.
The Queenstown Hill summit walk is an up-and-back walk from central Queenstown up to the top of Queenstown Hill, for views that will remind you why you came to New Zealand in the first place.
Whether you're in town to hit the ski slopes, or to walk off some of New Zealand's great food and drinks, this half-day walk is unmissable, and with such views from the top, it's no wonder this is one of New Zealand's most popular short walks.
Read on for tips on tackling Queenstown Hill's summit walk.
Hiking in Queenstown
Chances are you're in Queenstown for an adrenaline rush; this town likes to boast that it's the adventure capital of not just New Zealand, but the entire world. Remember, you're at the birthplace of the bungy jump, and you're probably here to ski Treble Cone or Cardrona, maybe take to the slopes for a night ski at Coronet Peak, or to hit the powder at the remarkable The Remarkables. These four great ski resorts are all close by Queenstown.
In a country that prides itself on a nice long walk, the Queenstown Hill summit walk is by no means the hardest hike in the Queenstown region - the Ben Lomond Track might take that cap - and it's not as busy as the Tiki Track, with its gondola.
The Queenstown Hill Summit is the Cinderella hike - not too hard, not too easy, with just the right amount of steep incline for you to feel the burn, and afterwards let you bask in the glow of your achievement.
Practical guide to walking Queenstown Hill
Getting there
The trailhead for the hike is on Belfast Terrace at the edge of Queenstown. If you're driving, parking here is extremely limited, unless you're hitting the trail at dawn or have the parking gods smiling down on you.
But look, you're here for a walk, right? So a better bet is to start your walk in the city centre, which adds about 15 minutes each way.
Alternatively, Belfast Terrace is only 1.2 kilometres from Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, so you could easily start out from your hotel, adding about 20 minutes each way to the walk for extra bragging rights.
The stats: four fun facts about the Queenstown Hill Summit Walk
Queenstown Hill is 907 metres high, with an elevation of 500 metres on this walk.
The trail is 4.2 kilometres long from Belfast Terrace - if you're starting out from the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, it adds another 1.2 kilometres each way, bringing the total walk to a solid 6.6 kilometres.
Allow between two and three hours to complete the walk, starting from Belfast Terrace (but why not blow that time out with a panoramic picnic at the peak or the Basket of Dreams?).
The Māori name for Queenstown Hill is Te Tapu-nui, which translates to 'mountain of intense sacredness'.
Highlights of Queenstown's favourite walk
Walk description
From Belfast Terrace, the compacted dirt trail climbs quickly, zig-zagging through forests of Douglas fir before continuing into open grasslands. Here, the views start to kick in.
You'll pass a little fairy garden filled with rock cairns, then the trail splits into a loop. Take the left-hand trail which climbs gradually until you're out of the trees to the Basket of Dreams sculpture.
From here, the trail continues on, with a steep little push to the summit; it's not a race, so stop to photograph the incredible panorama all around you. From the summit, continue back on the left-hand side of the loop, which rejoins the main path to take you back down to Belfast Terrace.
Panoramic lookout points
The absolute highlights of the walk are, undoubtedly, the views from the summit - the 80-kilometre long Lake Wakatipu stretches as far as the eye can see, while the Remarkables live up to their name. You'll also spy Cecil Peak and Walter Peak - can you spot the 'sleeping giant' beyond? This is Lord of the Rings country or, if you're feeling less poetic and more macho, the views might be channelling Mission: Impossible or X-Men's Wolverine; no surprises that all these movies featured the epic scenery that surrounds Queenstown.
En route to the summit, you'll discover The Basket of Dreams, an enormous metal and stone sculpture created by Caroline Robinson, one of New Zealand's most respected artists. Commissioned to welcome in the new millennium, it's a lookout point, a trail marker and, foremost, a cultural landmark that appears to rise out of the earth.
Stop to read the plaque, which says, "The Basket's spiral of steel follows you inward to reflect, to draw inspiration from the mountains, lake and from those who are with you, outward to dream for the future. Time flies, eternity awaits." Do as the artist suggests, and rest, relax and soak up the magnificent nature around you. You can turn around here and head back down for a shortened version of the walk, or continue on to the summit.
And along the way, keep an eye out for the sweet little fairy garden that locals have created and tend to - can you spot the tiny fairy doors?
Tips for Preparation and Safety on the Queenstown Hill summit walk
With its steep climb at the beginning of the track, you'll need a reasonable level of fitness to comfortably complete the walk. Remember, if you're not puffing, you're not working.
In good weather, runners are fine for the well-maintained trail, but you should upgrade to boots in winter, when there's snow on the ground.
The last toilets are at Belfast Terrace.
Remember: leave no trace - stay on the trail, take your rubbish with you and watch any wildlife from a distance.
What to take on the Queenstown Hill walking track
You'll need a water bottle, energy snacks, and sunscreen regardless of which season you're going to climb Queenstown Hill. With higher UV levels than the northern hemisphere, a hat and sunglasses will stave off any brick-red faces the next day.
If you're hiking in Queenstown in winter, sturdy hiking boots and walking poles will keep you steady when there's snow and ice on the path. Temperatures drop to between 1 and 7 degrees on a midwinter's day in July, so ensure you've got plenty of layers that can be added or removed as you warm up and cool down. A waterproof, windproof jacket is the ideal top layer, as you'll find out at the breezy summit.
Dogs are allowed on the path, but as it goes through a private farm, they have to be kept on a leash.
The wind-down: Queenstown's best hotel for R&R
Feel the burn: after your walk, reward yourself with time to rest and recover. Novotel Queenstown Lakeside has all the comforts you deserve after your day hike, including perhaps a little pick-me-up cocktail in the Elements Lounge.
FAQs about Queenstown Hill Summit
It takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete the 4.2-kilometre Queenstown Hill summit walk, in what’s considered a moderately difficult hike. It has a steep incline at the beginning – but it’s worth it to reach the Basket of Dreams sculpture and onward to the panoramic views of lakes and mountains at the top.
Considered one of the best short walks in New Zealand and popular amongst locals, the Queenstown Hill summit walk can be done in all seasons, including winter. Runners are fine for all seasons except winter, when you’ll need proper hiking boots and hiking poles as the track gets slippery from snow and ice. The reward is the view of snow-covered mountains reflected in Lake Wakatipu below. In all seasons, check the weather conditions beforehand in case of rain and dress accordingly.
