Big Hill Trail
The old bridle trail from Arrowtown towards Macetown, climbing steadily past Eichardt's Flat to an open saddle above the Arrow basin, then back the same way.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Partly closed. The council lists Macetown Road, where both descents from Big Hill Saddle end, as closed because of multiple slips and washouts (read 18 September 2026); DOC also reports numerous, possibly unstable slips there with 4WD access closed, and the Shotover 4WD Club lists the track closed until it is assessed and repaired, so treat the saddle as the turnaround. The Queenstown Trails Trust also lists Bush Creek as closed, and the first section from Arrowtown follows Bush Creek, so check before starting. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (Macetown Road) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 8 hours return
- Distance
- 15.5 km return
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Intermediate/Advanced
- Surface
- Old bridle trail climbing steadily to a high, open saddle
- Winter
- Not a winter walk
- Starts at
- Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, across the Bush Creek footbridge
- Bus
- Route 2 and Route 4 at Ramshaw Lane, 47, about 300 m from the start
- Bikes
- No bikes
- Cost
- Free
In short: Big Hill Trail is DOC's 15.5 km return tramp from the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement to a high saddle beside Big Hill, timed at 8 hours. It follows the old bridle trail to Macetown past Eichardt's Flat, graded Intermediate/Advanced on the Mahu Whenua covenant map.
What the track is like
This was the main route to Macetown until the road opened in 1884, and the saddle looks out over the Arrow basin and Lake Hayes. The covenant map marks Big Hill itself at 1,137 m beside the saddle.
Start at the Bush Creek footbridge by the Chinese Settlement and follow Bush Creek up to the junction where the Bush Creek Track branches off: 15 minutes on the covenant map, graded Easy. The Big Hill Walkway then climbs to Eichardt's Flat in about 30 minutes (25 minutes coming down), graded Intermediate, and the Sawpit Gully Walkway joins there.
Above Eichardt's Flat the old bridle trail climbs steadily through tussock to Big Hill Saddle, 1 hour 30 minutes up and about an hour back down on the covenant map, graded Intermediate/Advanced. DOC publishes 8 hours and 15.5 km return without naming the turnaround point, and Destination Queenstown gives 4 hours one way; the covenant map's section times to the saddle add up to less, so allow DOC's full day.
From the saddle DOC describes a steep descent to Eight Mile Creek, following the creek downstream to the Macetown 4WD road, which the covenant map grades Intermediate/Advanced at 1 hour down and 2 hours up. The Hayes Creek Walkway, graded Advanced, is a second route off the saddle to the road. Both end on Macetown Road, which the council has closed because of multiple slips and washouts, so return the way you came until the closure is lifted.
For a shorter day, turn around at Eichardt's Flat, which the covenant map puts 15 plus 30 minutes from Arrowtown, or come down the Sawpit Gully Walkway to make the 7.9 km Sawpit Gully loop.
How to get to the start
Arrowtown is 20 km north of Queenstown off SH6, according to DOC. Park at Butler Green beside the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement at the top of Buckingham Street; the car park's size is not published. Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 330 m from the start, $2.50 with a Bee Card, which makes an early start possible without a car.
- Start: Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, across the Bush Creek footbridge (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Car park at Butler Green beside the Chinese Settlement
- From Queenstown: Arrowtown is 20 km north of Queenstown off SH6 (DOC)
- By bus: Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 330 m from the start, $2.50 with a Bee Card. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Partly closed on 18 September 2026. The council lists Macetown Road, where both descents from Big Hill Saddle end, as closed because of multiple slips and washouts (read 18 September 2026); DOC also reports numerous, possibly unstable slips there with 4WD access closed, and the Shotover 4WD Club lists the track closed until it is assessed and repaired, so treat the saddle as the turnaround. The Queenstown Trails Trust also lists Bush Creek as closed, and the first section from Arrowtown follows Bush Creek, so check before starting. Check Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (Macetown Road) (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | Snow can sit on the saddle well into spring: DOC warns the higher tracks carry snow and ice from autumn through winter and often into spring. In September 2026 the descents to Macetown Road end on a road closed by slips, so plan to come back the way you went. |
| Summer (December to February) | The season for an 8-hour day, with the most daylight and the best chance of a clear saddle. The saddle is high and open, so carry plenty of water and sun protection. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Settled autumn days suit the climb, but daylight shortens and 8 hours return leaves less room each week. Start early and set a turnaround time. |
| Winter (June to August) | Not a winter walk for most people. Eight hours return leaves little margin in short winter days, and DOC warns the higher tracks carry snow and ice; pick a low riverside walk in Arrowtown instead. |
What to know before you go
- Eight hours return is a full day. Start early, set a turnaround time, and carry a headtorch in case the day runs long.
- The saddle is high, open ground, and DOC notes the weather here can change quickly at any time of year. Take warm and waterproof layers, food and enough water for the whole day.
- The covenant map recommends carrying the NZ Topo50 CB11 Arrowtown and CB12 Cardrona maps on these tracks, and QEII says backcountry tracks on the covenants may be unformed and lightly marked.
- Macetown Road, where both descents from the saddle end, is closed by multiple slips and washouts (council, read 18 September 2026); DOC also reports numerous, possibly unstable slips with 4WD access closed, and the Shotover 4WD Club lists the track closed. Do not plan a loop through it until the closure is lifted.
- The trail crosses private land under a QEII National Trust covenant. Stay on the track, keep clear of stock and leave gates as you find them.
- Check the Queenstown Trails Trust alerts before starting: Bush Creek, which the first section follows, was listed closed on 18 September 2026.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does the Big Hill Track take?
DOC times the 15.5 km return walk at 8 hours. Destination Queenstown gives 4 hours one way.
How far is the Big Hill Track, and is it a loop?
It is 15.5 km return by the same route. Descents from the saddle reach Macetown Road via Eight Mile Creek or the Hayes Creek Walkway, but the council has that road closed because of multiple slips and washouts.
Is the Big Hill Track hard?
It is a long day: 8 hours, a steady climb to an open saddle, and sections graded Intermediate/Advanced on the covenant map. Destination Queenstown rates it moderate to difficult and says you need sturdy legs and some experience.
Is the Big Hill Track open?
Partly. The council lists Macetown Road, where the descents from the saddle end, as closed by multiple slips and washouts (read 18 September 2026), and the Queenstown Trails Trust listed Bush Creek as closed on 18 September 2026, so check before starting and return the way you came.
Can I walk Big Hill in winter?
Most people should not. DOC warns the higher tracks carry snow and ice from autumn into spring, and 8 hours leaves little margin in short days.
Can I walk from Big Hill to Macetown?
The trail was the main route to Macetown before the road opened in 1884, and the descents from the saddle reach the Macetown 4WD road. With the council listing Macetown Road as closed by slips and washouts, do not plan to go through for now.
Are dogs and bikes allowed on the Big Hill Track?
The covenant map lists walking as the only use and Destination Queenstown says no trail bikes. QEII says dogs are welcome on the Mahu Whenua covenants under control, but Destination Queenstown says no dogs on the Sawpit Gully Trail, which shares the start, so check before taking one.
Can I get to the Big Hill Track by bus?
Yes. Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 330 m from the start, $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Nearby walks
- Sawpit Gully loop
7.9 km loop · About 3 hours loop · Intermediate/Advanced
- Bush Creek Track
6.5 km one way · 1 hour 30 minutes one way · Intermediate tramping track
- Arrow Gorge Track
1.5 km one way · 25 minutes one way (about 1 hour return) · Easy to intermediate walking track
- Macetown
15 km one way · 3 to 4 hours one way on foot; 1 to 2 hours one way by mountain bike · Intermediate (river crossings)
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Related guides
- Arrowtown by bus: $2.50 from Queenstown or the airport
Route 4 from town, Route 2 from Frankton, $2.50 with a Bee Card, and the last bus back.
- The Queenstown Trail, section by section
Ten sections, over 150 km, with the Trails Trust's distances, grades and times, and the $2.50 bus back from each end.
- Queenstown safety: the numbers, the hills, the roads and the lake
111 and 105, the Land Safety Code, chains, the 10-degree lake, and why ACC is not travel insurance.
Sources: DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (#22 Big Hill Trail) (opens in a new tab), Mahu Whenua Covenant Tracks: Arrowtown Tracks map (QEII National Trust with QLDC, DOC, Queenstown Trails Trust and Walking Access) (opens in a new tab), QEII National Trust, Central Otago: Mahu Whenua (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Arrowtown Walks (opens in a new tab), DOC, Macetown Historic Reserve (alert: Macetown Road slips, first published 2 September 2026) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, network alerts (Bush Creek) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Arrowtown area (distance from Queenstown and alerts) (opens in a new tab) and Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (28 August 2026, updated since) (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. 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.