QUEENSTOWN BIKING AND HIKING

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.

(Photos: Miles Holden/Destination Queenstown)

The 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.

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.

Lake Hayes Track and Sawpit Gully Arrowtown

You’ll find complete tranquillity and rippling water mirroring the surrounding mountains on the easygoing Lake Hayes Track. Th is 2-3-hour, 8km loop is the perfect half day adventure, passing through wetlands home to rare endemic birdlife including Paradise Shelducks and Marsh Crakes. Sawpit Gully is another must-do, especially in Autumn when blazing orange autumn trees cover the surrounding hills. Th is 2-3 hour loop starts at the Historic Chinese Settlement and follows the Arrow River before you reach the signposted turn off to Sawpit Gully. Heading uphill, the trail gets much steeper as it climbs into the gully. In wet conditions, numerous small creek crossings are necessary so be prepared to get your shoes wet! You will reach a grassy saddle and spectacular views of Lake Hayes and the Remarkables before heading down the hill and back into the village.

Mount Crichton Loop and Lake Alta Track

The Mount Crichton Loop is an easy 2.5 hour walk starting 12km out of Queenstown on the Glenorchy Road. Th e loop follows Twelve Mile Creek before ascending through an alpine forest of manuka and beach and fi nally showing panoramic lake views. Make sure you stop at Sam Summers Hut, a free-to-use bivvy that was once the home of Queenstown’s last hut-dwelling gold miner. If you’re up for a short but steep climb try the Lake Alta track. It begins on the road behind the Remarkables ski fi eld and follows cairns and alpine wetlands to an impossibly beautiful and blue alpine lake. Best to only attempt this one during the warmer months and don’t forget your cold weather gear in case the weather turns.

Experience the home of adventure

We could all use some adventure and beauty right now, and one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking natural locations serves up plenty of both. Visit Queenstownnz.co.nz to plan your trip and experience something new in a place where anything is possible.