EXPLORE DESTINATIONS
Hiking and biking Queenstown
(Photos: Miles Holden/Destination Queenstown)
The Southern Alps plunge into the inky blue waters of Lake Whakatipu, pastel water gushes down the Shotover River, and adventurers come from all over to bungy jump, jetboat, kayak, sail, ski, and snowboard.
T
he best way to behold Queenstown’s natural beauty is to get as close as possible. To get you started we’ve gathered six of Queenstown’s best hiking and biking trails below. There’s no better way to experience New Zealand’s home of adventure and immerse yourself in the country’s most mindblowing natural environments. The Queenstown Trail Over 130 kilometers of off-road trails hug the pristine shores of Lake Whakatipu, through maple forests and over crystal clear streams. These are the Queenstown Trails - one of New Zealand’s 22 Great Rides, which also happen to be ideal for hiking. The journey begins near Queenstown, winding around Lake Whakatipu to the Gibbston Valley Wine Country. Stop for a well-deserved Pinot Noir and a meal at Gibbston Valley winery, which was recently recognised as Queenstown’s Best Winery Restaurant. Make sure you’ve got time to look around Arrowtown once you’re back and perhaps stop for dinner at Aosta - a Northern Italian restaurant that’s making a name for itself pairing local wines and cocktails with hearty pasta dishes. 36 Explore South
Frankton Track and Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail If you’ve only got a couple of hours, this easy, family-friendly ride or hike is the perfect way to experience the Queenstown Trail without the burning muscles. It’s relatively flat and features wide trails with plenty of room for both hikers and bikers. The trail begins in the Queenstown Botanical Gardens before crossing the Kawarau Falls Bridge and circling the lakefront. Eventually you’ll reach the Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail - 4km of easy riding featuring secret beaches and a number of impressive sculptures by renowned artists. We’d recommend stopping at the Boat Shed along the way. This historic cottage was built almost 150 years ago and serves incredible sticky buns, brekky and coffee on the lake shore. Queenstown Mountain Bike Park Queenstown is a magnet for mountain bikers, packed with world-class bike parks and countless trails winding through stunning alpine terrain. One of the best spots is the Queenstown Mountain Bike Park. This free-to-ride park has gondola access six months of the year and
features 30km of trails for riders of all levels. On December 4-5 this bike park will welcome Crankworx, an international mountain biking festival that will draw some of the world’s best mountain bikers. For a gentler cycling celebration try Cyclorama, NZ’s first ever e-bike festival. Rides themed for wine, beer, food, art, exercise and even bird watching will take place from 13-14 November. Book your spot here. Coronet Peak Mountain Biking Come summertime Coronet Peak switches from skiing to mountain biking. It still offers the same majestic mountain and lake views and easy gondola access, but instead of snow you’ll find a number of technical MTB trails for intermediate to expert riders. Buy a day or season pass and tackle the famous Coronet XC trail, an intermediate ride known for its thrilling descents. If you’re up for it try Slip Saddle, an extremely challenging Grade 6 ride featuring large drop offs and gnarly downhills. For the ultimate off-the-beaten-track mountain biking experience try heli hiking. You’ll brave soaring trails high in the mountains and even overnight in a unique alpine hut.
