Take the Gondola to Skyline, follow the signs to the saddle and the steep ascent on your left to the summit (1747m). Alternatively to starting at the base of the Queenstown Gondola, you can also start at Lomond Crescent road. It's a steep trek, so take suitable walking shoes. If you are tired you can use the gondola to go down. Once back in town, it is time to relax those legs and start the rest and recovery process. Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the North Island, 10 Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary, Mount Eden Crater | Climbing to the Maungawhau Summit, A Helpful Okere Falls Walk Guide | The 7 Meter Plunge. So, you do actually have a few options here: 1) Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Up • Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Down ($0 NZD), 2) Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Up • Gondola Down ($29 NZD), 3) Gondola Up • Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent Down ( $44 NZD – they do not sell one way up gondola tickets – only one way down. amzn_assoc_linkid = "c5ca1a34ebb2d0024e0cd3f07dcd3cb3"; Well sign up and join the TripTins community to receive monthly newsletters that will recap everything you need to know to make that trip as memorable as can be. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Get ready for what I think is one of the toughest parts of any New Zealand hike – the summit push from the Saddle to the Peak. What about success and happiness? amzn_assoc_asins = "1465468730,B07F9P9X2H,B01K99DTCW,1426218834"; The Ben Lomond track can be broken down into two distinct parts – the trail to the saddle followed by the ascent to the summit. Depending on daylight hours, time of year, and hiking level, you may want to start the hike earlier on in the day. Stunning views all the way after breaking the treeline, and had the summit to myself. Or to add some more excitement, you can start at the Queenstown end of the track and catch the Skyline gondola to the top of Bob's Peak. At the saddle you will then be pointed left up towards the final summit push. Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions, Best Things To Do with Kids in Queenstown, Best Breathtaking Locations in Queenstown, Skyline Queenstown Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar. And soon enough the nice dirt path will end and you will start climbing your way up the technical rocks. Once off the gondola you will just begin to follow the path pointing you to Ben Lomond. The path from the top of the gondola to saddle is one of my favorites in all of New Zealand. View GUILLAUME's Recording. It has the views, it has the incline, and it has the peak. But when I think of a quintessential New Zealand hike it is Ben Lomond for me. Ben Lomond Track – Gondola to Saddle. Difficulty: Advanced Best time of year to go: October till April / May. As you start the Ben Lomond Track from the gondola, the first part is through the woods and still shaded. If you want to climb to the summit, and gain 360' views from 1600m up, it's about another 30 minutes from the saddle to the peak. Ben Lomond Track: Great walk if you don't mind the climb from the saddle - See 684 traveler reviews, 482 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. However, once you are back on the saddle, it should get much easier from there. While it is an accomplishment within itself to complete the trek to the top of Ben Lomond Peak, it will not be the same experience if the views are not out there to see. I hope this guide can get you going in the right direction and on top of that peak in no time. / Gondola turn off Foto: Markus Stanger, Community / Ben Lomond Saddle Foto: Markus Stanger, Community / Ben Lomond Foto: Markus Stanger, Community spy_guy am 19.11.2017. spy_guy hat ein Bild hochgeladen. The path from the top of the gondola to saddle is one of my favorites in all of New Zealand. The Ben Lomond Track starts at the top of Bob’s Peak, a forested hill above Queenstown. My Guide Queenstown is part of the global My Guide Network of Online & Mobile travel guides. It will take you about 2 hours to hike to the saddle and then another 1 or 2 (of steeper and rougher track) to the summit. Related Articles. The path is on a constant incline for the most part and will be made up of a dirt track with some steps sprinkled in throughout. So far, so good. Route options. 00:01 The gondola to Bob's Peak below Ben Lomond 00:10 The trail to Ben Lomond saddle 00:15 Kea bird, New Zealand's alpine parrot 00:28 View down to Moke Lake 00:30 View from Ben Lomond Peak to Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu . Before you begin your ascent up to the saddle of Ben Lomond, you’ll encounter a hub of activity. Ben Lomond Saddle is one of the most stunning views in all of New Zealand. Luckily this is where the Skyline Gondola goes, and you can shave a good chunk of time (and effort) by riding up and starting your hike from the top. Even in the height of summer the elevation and exposure to cold winds can lower the temperature drastically, so be prepared to throw on a warm layer and a windproof jacket. I wanted to highlight some important facts to know before heading off for this hike. Shortly after you begin the Ben Lomond track, you will exit the forest and be welcomed to vast views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu down below. We hiked to the Ben Lomond saddle with a 5 year old and 2.5 year old in a Mac Pac. The first hour was a steep trek through pine forest, so if you want to save your energy get the Gondola up. The views are pretty great and the path is well-kept. Watch the cloud formations as we walk. This can be a full day walk so take extra clothing, drinks and food. We did not do this but I think prices for the gondola start at around $40 NZD. • The Skyline Queenstown Gondola opens at 9AM. Do you want to stay up to date and receive the latest travel iTINeraries, guides and tips to better plan your next trip around the world? This way you can avoid hiking up during the hottest point of the day, and you can get back down in Queenstown before the sun starts going down. amzn_assoc_title = ""; Your other option here is just to simply take the Queenstown Gondola up to the starting point of the trail. Take the time to stop and let the views settle in. View 3 - Panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. March 2, 2020. As you continue the climb, the views will just continue to get better as you get a wider perspective of the lake and the surrounding mountains. While it does not have the “views” per se, it is a nice trail that takes you through the forest greenery of Queenstown. From here, the terrain becomes steeper and rougher as it approaches Ben Lomond's 1,748m summit. Alle Bewertungen. We have 504m (1654') of 'up' today. The Ben Lomond track can be accessed via three main routes that start at the One Mile Carpark, the access road on Lomond Crescent or from the Skyline Building on Brecon Street. Well, by now you should be all good to go to conquer the Ben Lomond track on your own. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; From the Skyline Gondola station you basically have to head towards the Ben Lomond lookout that is marked on the Skyline loop track and from there you have to follow the signpost “Ben Lomond Track” (see image). Once at the top of the gondola, you can make the decision how you would like to get back into Queenstown (Gondola or Tiki Trail / Lomond Crescent). Our Complete Website Solution frees up the time, cost and technical expertise required to build and operate your own successful online travel business. Like mentioned earlier, it can get very chilly and windy on top now that you have stopped moving and are just standing on the peak. Rimu Trip Highlights. So there are actually two ways to arrive at the top of Ben Lomond and if you are lacking time and your fitness is not quite what you want it to be your best option might be to take the gondola. Or Login with your preferred Social Media Account. First let's hop onto the gondola - it starts at 9.00am. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Also accessible from central Queenstown is the challenging 4+ hour Ben Lomond saddle hike. Top of Gondola to Ben Lomond Saddle: 1 - 2 hours Ben Lomond Saddle to Ben Lomond summit: 1 - 3 hours return via same track Ben Lomond Saddle to Bowen Peak: 2 - 3 hours return via same track. From the top stunning 360 degrees view, amazing hike!! If you are a business in Queenstown and have an event to promote you can do it on My Guide at no cost. Shortly after you begin the Ben Lomond track, you will exit the forest and be welcomed to vast views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu down below. It is really well marked and there is a well worn path but it is definitely steep so you need a reasonable level of fitness. Hike to the Ben Lomond SADDLE. Book your tickets online for Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown: See 687 reviews, articles, and 493 photos of Ben Lomond Track, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 81 attractions in Queenstown. This can be great as you know how close you are getting, or it can be very frustrating as you know how far away you are from the top. Our 5 year old would of happily walked the whole way but I did piggy back him part of the way. Sign up for our mailing list to get latest updates and offers for Queenstown. Register your account below, if you already have an account, select Login. The trail itself is divided into three sections, from town to the top of the Skyline Gondola, from the gondola to the saddle, and from the saddle to the summit. What made Ben Lomond so special for me was the constant views of Lake Wakatipu down below during the first part of the hike, followed by the never ending views of the mountain ranges as I made my way to the summit. In the summer, Ben Lomond is an easy rated track flooded with tourists. It is a great way to have a very diverse type of hike as this part of the trail will be in the forest and the actual Ben Lomond track will be above the tree line with vast views. I am on the right trail. If taking part of the trail you are most likely doing so from Queenstown. Sure there are countless others around the country – everything from Roys Peak in Wanaka to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the North Island. If there are many clouds on the day you are hiking, these views may be obstructed and could have a negative impact on the trail. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "triptins05-20"; This guide has been created by a Queenstown Local Expert. From here follow the path to the Ben Lomond saddle, and from here a series of poles mark the track to Sefferstown. Everything you just hiked up – well you will need to hike it back down. Some of the guides currently up on the site include: And Dont Forget to Check Out the 10 Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary, Your email address will not be published. Below is a map that shows the three starting points followed by a quick description of them. It is NOT for everyone and you need to be in good physical condition to complete the track. You'll find all this and more at Camp Mana. While it looks like the peak is just right in front of you, it is actually another hour to get up there. Although the snow makes the route significantly more challenging, the views afforded are phenomenal and the trail itself is quite an adventure. If using the third option the easiest form of access is via the Skyline Gondola which takes you part way up the mountain, with foot access from the same location via the Tiki Trail . by CharlesJul 13, 2019Blog, New Zealand, New Zealand Blog. All rights reserved. To your left will be those Lake Wakatipu views and to your right will be these incredible ever expanding mountain views (hopefully they can distract you a bit from what you are putting your body through). amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; If you are interested in becoming a local travel partner and would like to find out more then click for more info about our Website Business Opportunity. The path from the top of the gondola to the saddle is longer but less steep while the path from the saddle to summit in shorter but much steeper and technical. The Ben Lomond Saddle is also a critical point on the hike to reassess the weather conditions, which could have easily changed in the time its taken to journey here. Ben Lomond mountain is a very popular hike in Queenstown, due to its accessibility and beautiful views. It should also take about 45 minutes to get to the meet up with the Ben Lomond track so if you are trying to start your hike from Queenstown, either one of these options should work well for you. It should take just about an hour to get to the top as you pick and choose your next step up the mountain. Ben Lomond Saddle Are you feeling fit today? A gondola on the move. On the other hand, if you take the round trip gondola it will cost you $44 NZD and a one way gondola down will cost $29 NZD (one way gondolas are only sold as a one way down option). Path of Ben Lomond Track. Ben Lomond Saddle. Hiking to the Saddle. Ultimate South Island Adventure 'Rimu' trip. After making your way up, either through the Douglas fir forest or by gondola, you will start your ascent to the Ben Lomond Saddle. • If you decide to take the Tiki Trail or trail from Lomond Crescent up and down, you will not need to pay anything to take part of Ben Lomond. The Ben Lomond Saddle walk is a 3 - 4 hour walk that can be accessed from the top of the gondola station. For about half an hour your views are limited to the surrounding hills. Climb to the 1,326 m Ben Lomond Saddle. Ben Lomond Saddle: 3 - 4 Hours. Once you get through 2-3 hours of climbing, you should reach the Ben Lomond Saddle. Ben Lomond is mountain right on the edge of Queenstown city center. Once you reach the saddle, you are met with beautiful views down the other side of the mountain. It's a steep trek, so take suitable walking shoes. From the Skyline Gondola to the Ben Lomond Saddle and back is about 3 to 3.5 hours. It’s the evening runs, the weekend missions into the backcountry, the hikes, the climbs, the casual community races, the epic mountain bike adventures and the overall outdoor focused, adventure influenced and healthy lifestyle that become an influential part of life in Queenstown. Book your tickets online for Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown: See 687 reviews, articles, and 493 photos of Ben Lomond Track, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 81 attractions in Queenstown. Start from the Skyline gondola complex with the Tiki Trail, amid native bush and surrounded by adventurers ziplining and mountain biking. Then once you walk out of the woods you get out in the open and this is where the track starts to go up through grassland. As you make your way up be sure to turn around a few times to take in those lake views too! If you are interested in becoming a local travel partner and would like to find out more then click for more info about our Website Business Opportunity. Ben Lomond Summit (6-8 hour return hike) One of the highest peaks in the Wakatipu basin providing the most stunning views of the region. Respect the landowner’s rights and keep to the formed track to avoid stock disturbance and farm … TIP: I usually use Meteoblue for my mountain weather and you are able to see cloud coverage / number of hours of sun on a day by day basis. One misstep and you could seriously hurt yourself. This 10 minute journey will take you above the forest, as you enjoy some views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu down below. Even if you don’t plan on hiking all the way up to the Ben Lomond Summit, just completing the Ben Lomond Saddle is worth the climb! Below are some options at different price points to take a look at that are mostly within walking distance of town center: 3. Start: Top of the Gondola, halfway up Skyline Access Road. On the top of Bob’s Peak (Cemetery Hill) sits the Skyline Complex. Come, walk with me. The Ben Lomond track is well signed from the Skyline Gondola. Ben Lomond Track: This the walk up to the Ben Lomond Saddle - See 685 traveler reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Just head down the track, take in the views and enjoy the last of what the Ben Lomond track has to offer. Into the Lomond forest we go. The list includes several different essentials such as: This was one hike I particularly remember sweating and be very hot on the way up and then when I reached the top it was frigid as the wind picked up and I felt that drop in temperature. Distance: 11 km return Duration: 3-4 hr to Ben Lomond Saddle, 6-8 hr to Ben Lomond Summit. Held on one epi. Have fun out there! Feel free to write in below with any questions or comments and check out some other New Zealand itineraries and guides up on the site. It is usually accessed from town via the Tiki Trail, or by taking the gondola and walking the rest of the way – firstly to the saddle, then an hour to the summit. Definitely recommend this climb… The Summit to Saddle downhill will be the toughest part of the descent. View of Queenstown from Bob’s Peak. At the bottom of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola, you will see signs pointing to the Tiki Trail. Once you reach the saddle between Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak the track climbs the northeast ridge until it loops around and gains the summit from western side. Now do not get me wrong – the Ben Lomond hike is NO JOKE, but believe me, the climb is WELL WORTH the effort. Ben Lomond Saddle Walk. This is where you will also start to see some wild goats around! Required fields are marked *, Join our mailing list to receive the latest iTINeraries, guides & helpful tips to plan your next trip, TripTins is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As you are making the climb you will consistently see the top of Ben Lomond the entire time. Click here to request a new mini guide for Queenstown from your Local Experts! It’s practically in the city, but still sufficiently challenging and offers a great scenic view of the area from Lake Wakatipu, Arthur’s Point and Queenstown.It doesn’t take much effort to get on this hike – the trailhead starts just 10 minutes walk from Queenstown city center. Ben Lomond Saddle Trail Sign Initially we took the wrong path and walked a little bit downhill. This part of the trail is seriously no joke – the incline is as tough and technical as it gets and you will be using each and every muscle that you have. 3D-Flug m 2000 1500 1000 500 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 km Die Tour; Details; Wegbeschreibung; Anreise; Literatur; Aktuelle Infos; Ben Lomond is the peak accessible from … When I think of hiking in New Zealand, one of the first ones to come to mind will always be the Ben Lomond Track in Queenstown. View 3 - Panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, View 5  - A seat with a view at the end of the walk. It includes everything I bring along on day hikes, and it will have you better prepared when taking part of trails all over New Zealand. Although Ben Lomond can be done from Queenstown proper, a start from the top of the Skyline Gondola will save an hour of work (not to mention around 400 metres of vertical climb). Note: The section from the saddle to the summit crosses private land. The trail from there eventually meets up with the Ben Lomond track as you get a bit higher up the mountain. It is a great lakeside town with plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Otherwise you’ll have to head up the Tiki Trail, a steep track through the forest which apparently takes an hour. We are now in 120+ Destinations and Growing. Mentioned earlier you can either start the trail in Queenstown (either the base of the Queenstown Gondola or on Lomond Crescent road), or you can make your way to the top of the Queenstown Gondola and begin the trail up Ben Lomond from there. Hiking Ben Lomond: the gondola route (2-3 hours return) There are two main ways to tackle this peak. Ben Lomond Saddle . If you decide for this option you will essentially be overpaying for a one way gondola ride as you would need to buy a round trip). The first part to the top of the gondola is pretty steep, then to the Ben Lomond saddle the slope is going up gently and the last part to the summit is very steep, if you scared of height don’t do the last part. I believe the trail is 13km rountrip, though that’s an estimate. Reward yourself with stunning 360° views over Queenstown and the surrounding region on this challenging hike to the peak of Ben Lomond, which starts from the Gondola base station in the heart of downtown. View 1 - Beginning the walk. My Guide Queenstown is part of the global My Guide Network of Online & Mobile travel guides. From Moke Lake on the Moonlight Track. The Ben Lomond Saddle walk is a 3 - 4 hour walk that can be accessed from the top of the gondola station. As you decide when to head out on the trail I highly recommend doing so on the clearest day possible, Take a Look at Some New Zealand Guide Books For Your Trip, Shortly after you begin the Ben Lomond track, you will exit the forest and be welcomed to vast views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu down below, This part of the trail is seriously no joke – the incline is as tough and technical as it gets and you will be using each and every muscle that you have, To your left will be those Lake Wakatipu views and to your right will be these incredible ever expanding mountain views. View 2 - A steep climb to the saddle. With views of Ben Lomond in front and Lake Wakatipu behind, there's a choice to make at the top - continue to the summit, pick up the Arthurs' Point Track or return. Your email address will not be published. Luckily, the trailhead is right near the center of Queenstown. Take some time to take it all in because it is one special feeling to be on top of Queenstown and see these views for yourself. I have my freshly minted annual pass in my hand. There, you’ll find a café/restaurant, luge track and a paragliding, bungy jump and ziplining base – plenty of options to entertain you after your soul-nourishing hike. © 2021 My Guide. As you decide when to head out on the trail I highly recommend doing so on the clearest day possible. Soon enough though you will begin to reach the top of the Ben Lomond Track at 1,748 meters. "Want a future that'll make your family proud? Jessie Ho. You will need to watch your step and take it slow. Starting & Ending Point: EITHER 1) From Queenstown OR 2) Top of Queenstown Gondola (more on those options soon), Length: 11 KM / 6.8 Miles from Top of Gondola  • 14 KM / 8.7 Miles from Queenstown, Elevation Gain: 1,000 Meters / 3,280 Feet from Top of Gondola • 1,438 Meters / 4,718 Feet from Queenstown, Summit Elevation: 1,748 Meters / 5,735 Feet (Saddle Elevation: 1,326 Meters / 4,350 Feet), Time: 4-6 Hours from Top of Gondola / 6-8 Hours from Queenstown (round trip), Track: Dirt / Technical Rock for final summit push, Difficulty: Hard (the official NZ DOC website lists it as easy – not sure how they came up with that one!!). Have fun out there and safe travels! Walking from the Gondola Station, this walk twists and turns through grasslands up to the the Ben Lomond Saddle. The reward for 6-8 hours of walking (return) is a spectacular panoramic view of the Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu and the bustling town below. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; I took an alternative route up to ben Lomond. We caught the gondola up to the start which I would highly recommend with young kids. The Tiki Trail is a 45-minute uphill zig zagging path that takes you up the mountain and meets up with the Ben Lomond track – basically an alternate to taking the gondola up. Type: Moderate Hike. Bringing those layers can work wonders on top of Ben Lomond! From the gondola complex look for the well-signed route that veers into the woods from the luge track. Hilton Queenstown Resort (a bit further out of town). Ben Lomond Track: After ascending the hill from Queenstown (either by foot or gondola) the track follows the ridge just below the top. Had the summit crosses private land starting point of the gondola station difficulty: Advanced Best of! 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