Ben Lomond Track
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
Ben Lomond Track
approx 17 km return | 6 - 8 hours return
Queenstown’s premier viewpoint. And you can even get the gondola to do some of the work.
Walking Track
Timing
This is definitely a fine weather only track. You’re up in the mountains here and weather can change very quickly. An icy wind can come any time of year and the top ridge is very exposed.
Access
The start of the track is signposted from behind the luge at the top of the gondola.
Track
After exiting the pines, the track follows a gully of wilding pines heading towards the saddle (1h 30 minutes) between Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak.
From here the track steepens and becomes rocky and uneven as it ascends towards the lookout at the summit (1748m).
The summit area is quite small but has panoramic views over the whole Wakatipu area, Mount Aspiring / Tititea and the Remarkables.
Geology
Ben Lomond is a pyramid, standing sentinel on the Queenstown skyline.
Flora
The Douglas fir forests were originally planted in the early 1900s by well-meaning local pharmacist Louis Hotop as a beautification project. The American natives now spread like wildfire and measures are in place to limit their spread through local community groups, council and business.
European History
James Boyne wrote an account of climbing Ben Lomond in 1886. His experiences from the day included finding a brown paper bag with biscuits in it, left by some Good Samaritan at the saddle. Even at this date, their inscriptions on the summit rocks were already latecomers in the annals of those who recorded their passing.
The mountain was named after it’s namesake loch and peak in Scotland by early shepherd Duncan McAusland.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC OtagoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Beautiful hike.
Go up early to avoid the crowds. Great view over the Queenstown area and lake on one side and southern alpes on the other side. The way up is demanding for sure but not overly hard.
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4.5/5
Tough days walking but amazing views at the top.
Paths are well maintained. A good strenuous walk for modestly fit people.
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5.0/5
Beautiful walk up to the Ben Lomond Summit.
The walk is uphill all the time, but in a doable way. The last hour is steep but you will be rewarded with stunning views and Keas.
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3.5/5
Very nice day walk.
It says around 7 hours to return but it is possible to make it in 5 hours. Very cold on the top so good/warm equipment required. Maybe a little bit too crowded after lunch.
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3.0/5
Hike was steep as entered from the ground.
However, beautiful views. Also really busy but a really good length of hike.
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4.0/5
One of the better day hikes out of Queenstown.
Fair bit of deviation gain and the view is spectacular in every direction.
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4.0/5
I did this walk in the winter when the DOC said that crampons should be worn and I was wearing Converse so I found it very challenging.
The view from the top is very rewarding. I think it would be quite achievable for most in Summer.
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4.0/5
In the beginning we had a bit of trouble to find the access point for this trail, but then it was a nice tour with nice views, though we did not have the best weather.
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4.0/5
Very scenic, at least when the weather is good.
Tough walk, badly signposted, but all trails lead to Ben Lomond at the end. Start at the end of Thompson Street or Wynyard Crescent. Took us 5 hours return (fast walking).
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5.0/5
Beautiful hike.
Go up early to avoid the crowds. Great view over the Queenstown area and lake on one side and southern alpes on the other side. The way up is demanding for sure but not overly hard.
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3.5/5
Very nice day walk.
It says around 7 hours to return but it is possible to make it in 5 hours. Very cold on the top so good/warm equipment required. Maybe a little bit too crowded after lunch.
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5.0/5
Beautiful walk up to the Ben Lomond Summit.
The walk is uphill all the time, but in a doable way. The last hour is steep but you will be rewarded with stunning views and Keas.
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4.5/5
Tough days walking but amazing views at the top.
Paths are well maintained. A good strenuous walk for modestly fit people.
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3.0/5
Hike was steep as entered from the ground.
However, beautiful views. Also really busy but a really good length of hike.
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4.0/5
I did this walk in the winter when the DOC said that crampons should be worn and I was wearing Converse so I found it very challenging.
The view from the top is very rewarding. I think it would be quite achievable for most in Summer.
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4.0/5
One of the better day hikes out of Queenstown.
Fair bit of deviation gain and the view is spectacular in every direction.
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4.0/5
In the beginning we had a bit of trouble to find the access point for this trail, but then it was a nice tour with nice views, though we did not have the best weather.
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4.0/5
Very scenic, at least when the weather is good.
Tough walk, badly signposted, but all trails lead to Ben Lomond at the end. Start at the end of Thompson Street or Wynyard Crescent. Took us 5 hours return (fast walking).
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3.5/5
Nice hike but a lot of people along the way - also some people without hiking experience so that stones were falling down on the way - luckily nobody was standing there.
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4.0/5
More challenging than Queenstown Hill but by far more rewarding hike up to the gondola.
If you carry on past the gondola, on your return you will wonder why everyone is excited about the view from the gondola top!
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4.5/5
First hike in New Zealand!
We did it at the end of winter so lots of snow. Incredible views at the top.
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5.0/5
Went up to the summit and through a layer of clouds to reach the sunny peak.
Reminds me of the alpine version of Roy's Peak (a bit more demanding and more narrower path). Awesome and far views from the top. A cool and cheap activity for Queenstown! (Track be shortened via gondola).
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5.0/5
You will make the right choice by doing this track.
Search the internet for more information about it. It is hard, so start early and take plenty of water. When you reach the summit on a good day it is an incredible feeling!
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5.0/5
Amazing views from up top (1700m), not an easy walk but definitely worth the effort!
Recommend!!! Takes 7-8 hours return.
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5.0/5
I walked to the saddle.
The track is easy to follow, nearly all up hill but well worth it for the amazing views over the lake and mountains.
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4.5/5
Beautiful walk with beautiful view around, not so hard, not dangerous in summer and can be a challenge in winter.
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5.0/5
Do not pay money for the cable car, walk up to the lookout.
Enjoy the view over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. One hour one way.
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4.0/5
Loop Track.
Excellent viewpoints, in deep forest in between. Took about 30 minutes.
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4.5/5
Beautiful hike, generally easy hiking but steep section up to the saddle and even steeper to the summit.
Definitely aim for the saddle even if the summit is too much as the views of the Southern Alps are amazing.
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