Hotels near Ben Lomond Summit Track

The Ben Lomond Summit Track is the premier day hike accessible directly from Queenstown. The 1,748-metre peak towers above the town, and the summit delivers a full 360-degree panorama across Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and the distant peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park. The track from the Skyline Gondola top station to the summit and back takes 5-6 hours (about 11 km return), gaining roughly 900 metres of elevation above the gondola terminus.

The hike starts through beech forest, breaks out above the tree line at the saddle (an excellent viewpoint even if you do not continue to the summit), then follows an exposed ridge to the top. The final section is steep and can be windy - bring warm layers regardless of the forecast in town. You can save NZD 49 by skipping the gondola and hiking the Tiki Trail from the base, but this adds 90 minutes each way. The track is maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and is free.

Pro Tip: Take the gondola up and the Tiki Trail down to save your knees for the summit push. Start early (before 9:00) to avoid afternoon cloud building on the summit. Pack lunch, at least 2 litres of water, and check the DOC weather forecast on the morning of your hike.