Ben Lomond Track
Queenstown's full-day climb from the gondola base, through forest and tussock to Ben Lomond Saddle and on to the 1,748 m summit, graded advanced by DOC.
Published 4 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · Corrected 16 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open, with cautions. Open on 18 September 2026: DOC's track data lists it as open and DOC had no alert posted for the track. Mid-September is inside DOC's April to November window for snow and ice above the bushline, and in winter DOC requires avalanche equipment, an ice axe and crampons. Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC, Ben Lomond Track (alerts on the track page) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 6 to 8 hours return to the summit from Queenstown; 5 hours return to the saddle; 3 to 4 hours return to the saddle from the top of the gondola
- Distance
- 14 km return to the summit via the Tiki Trail; 10 km return to the saddle
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Climb
- 1,438 m from Queenstown, high point 1,748 m (summit); saddle 1,326 m
- Grade
- Advanced
- Surface
- Forest track to about 800 m, then alpine tussock and shrubs to the saddle; beyond the saddle unmaintained, steeper and rougher with steep drop-offs; can be very slippery and muddy
- Winter
- Not a winter walk
- Starts at
- Tiki Trail, beside the Skyline Gondola base station at the top of Brecon Street
- Bus
- Route 4 at Boundary St, about 450 m from the start
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Toilets
- At the Skyline Gondola top complex, and 100 m before Ben Lomond Saddle (no water, paper or hand sanitiser)
- Cost
- Free on foot; the Skyline Gondola is a paid ticket, return or one way down
In short: Ben Lomond Track climbs 1,438 m from Queenstown to the 1,748 m summit: 14 km return and 6 to 8 hours via the Tiki Trail, or 10 km and 5 hours return to the 1,326 m saddle. DOC grades it an advanced tramping track, starting beside the Skyline Gondola base on Brecon Street.
What the track is like
From the summit DOC describes views over Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu, Ka-kamu-a-Hakitekura/Cecil and Walter Peaks and Kawarau/Remarkables, and in fine weather as far as Mounts Pikirakatahi/Earnslaw and Tititea/Aspiring.
DOC's recommended access is the Tiki Trail, which starts beside the Skyline Gondola base at the top of Brecon Street and climbs through Douglas fir from behind the cemetery's stone wall. At about 800 m you leave the trees for alpine tussock and shrubs, and the track climbs to Ben Lomond Saddle at 1,326 m. Town to the saddle and back is 10 km and about 5 hours.
Beyond the saddle the track crosses Ben Lomond Station, private land where the track is unmaintained: keep to the formed track. It gets steeper and rougher, there are steep drop-offs, and the hardest climbing is the final approach to the 1,748 m summit, which is more dangerous under snow and ice. The full return from town is 14 km and 6 to 8 hours, and DOC points out that the summit is only the halfway point of the day.
For a shorter day, ride the gondola to the Skyline complex and walk to the saddle and back: 7 km and 3 to 4 hours return, which DOC suggests for trampers still building fitness and experience. You can also buy a one-way gondola ticket down. Other access points are the Skyline Access Road from Lomond Crescent and the One Mile Creek Track from the Fernhill roundabout, which needs navigation.
Plan to be back down in daylight, as DOC advises, and carry a headtorch anyway. Downhill mountain bike tracks and animal tracks cross the walking track, so follow the signs and orange markers.
How to get to the start
The Tiki Trail starts next to the Skyline Gondola base station at the top of Brecon Street, a short walk uphill from central Queenstown. DOC's other ways onto the track are the Skyline Access Road from Lomond Crescent, the One Mile Creek Track from the Fernhill roundabout, and the gondola. DOC does not publish trailhead parking.
Boundary St on Route 4 is about 430 m from the gondola base and Stanley Street Bus Hub (Routes 1, 4 and 5) about 550 m, for $2.50 with a Bee Card, so no car is needed.
- Start: Tiki Trail, beside the Skyline Gondola base station at the top of Brecon Street (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- From Queenstown: At the top of Brecon Street, near central Queenstown
- By bus: Boundary St (Route 4) is about 430 m from the gondola base, and Stanley Street Bus Hub (Routes 1, 4 and 5) about 550 m. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open, with cautions on 18 September 2026. Open on 18 September 2026: DOC's track data lists it as open and DOC had no alert posted for the track. Mid-September is inside DOC's April to November window for snow and ice above the bushline, and in winter DOC requires avalanche equipment, an ice axe and crampons. Check DOC, Ben Lomond Track (alerts on the track page) (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC's brochure says to be prepared for snow and ice above the bushline from April to November, so September to November trips above about 800 m can still need alpine gear and the skills to use it. DOC also warns the track can swing between very slippery and muddy. |
| Summer (December to February) | December to March sits outside DOC's April to November snow and ice window, but DOC warns the weather changes fast and hypothermia is a risk even in summer. There is no water past the Skyline complex. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Snow and ice can return above the bushline from April (DOC brochure), and shorter days mean a 6 to 8 hour summit trip needs an early start and a headtorch. |
| Winter (June to August) | DOC says that in winter you must carry, and be able to use, alpine equipment such as avalanche equipment, an ice axe and crampons. Without that gear and experience, turn around at the bushline or choose a lower walk. |
What to know before you go
- DOC: in winter you need to carry, and know how to use, alpine equipment such as avalanche equipment, an ice axe and crampons. Its brochure says to expect snow and ice above the bushline from April to November.
- Past the saddle the track crosses private farmland and is unmaintained, steep and rough, with stock and farm hazards and with steep drop-offs that are more treacherous under snow and ice.
- The weather changes quickly and DOC warns hypothermia is a real risk even in summer: carry warm and waterproof layers, food, enough water for the day (none past the Skyline complex) and a headtorch.
- Fast downhill mountain bike tracks cross the walking track and are unsafe for walkers; stay on the signed walking track and follow the orange markers.
- Leave your intentions with someone you trust and take a distress beacon, as DOC advises; DOC's page also links the NZ Mountain Safety Council's Ben Lomond video.
- Check DOC's alerts on the track page on the day. No fires at any time: the area between Rat Point and Arthurs Point is a year-round fire ban zone.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does the Ben Lomond Track take?
6 to 8 hours return to the summit from Queenstown (14 km), 5 hours return to the saddle (10 km), or 3 to 4 hours return from the top of the gondola to the saddle (7 km).
How hard is Ben Lomond, and how much climbing is there?
DOC grades it an advanced tramping track needing high fitness, steep throughout. It climbs 1,438 m from Queenstown to the 1,748 m summit, and beyond the saddle it is unmaintained with steep drop-offs.
Can you walk Ben Lomond in winter or spring?
Only with alpine skills. DOC's brochure says to expect snow and ice above the bushline from April to November, and in winter DOC says you need avalanche equipment, an ice axe and crampons and must know how to use them.
Can I take the gondola for part of the Ben Lomond Track?
Yes. Ride the Skyline Gondola up and walk to the saddle and back, 7 km and 3 to 4 hours, or buy a one-way ticket down. The gondola is a paid ticket; the track is free.
Where does the Ben Lomond Track start?
On the Tiki Trail beside the Skyline Gondola base station at the top of Brecon Street. Boundary St (Route 4) is about 430 m away and Stanley Street Bus Hub about 550 m.
Are there toilets and water on Ben Lomond?
There are toilets at the Skyline top complex and a toilet 100 m before the saddle, with no water, paper or sanitiser. There is no water past the Skyline complex.
Are dogs allowed on the Ben Lomond Track?
No. DOC does not allow dogs on the track.
What should I bring for Ben Lomond?
Enough water for the day, food, warm and waterproof layers, a headtorch and a distress beacon, plus alpine equipment (avalanche gear, ice axe and crampons) in winter.
Nearby walks
- Tiki Trail
2 km one way · 1 hour one way (up) · Easy to intermediate walking track
- Queenstown Hill
5.4 km return · 2 to 3 hours return · Easy to intermediate walking track
- One Mile Creek
1.9 km return · 1 to 1.5 hours return · Advanced tramping track
- Moonlight Track
13.5 km one way · 4 hours one way · Easy to intermediate walking track
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Sources: DOC, Ben Lomond Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (April 2025) (opens in a new tab) and DOC tracks layer (DOC_Tracks_DTO, CC BY 4.0), record 'Ben Lomond W/Way' (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. Start coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.