Coronet Loop Trail
A 50 km backcountry circuit over Bush Creek Saddle, the Coronet Face water race, Greengates, Deep Creek and the Macetown road, for fit and skilled riders.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Closed for the season. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the Coronet Loop as closed for winter; its trail page says the loop generally closes from May to October, and no reopening date is posted. Bush Creek, the usual first leg, is also listed as closed. Two roads the loop uses are also closed by the council (read 18 September 2026): Macetown Road, the last leg, because of multiple slips and washouts, and Skippers Road, one of the ways into Long Gully, at the Saddle because of multiple slips, with the next council update due 21 September 2026. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Trails Trust, Coronet Loop Trail and site alert banner (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 4 to 8 hours by bike
- Distance
- 50 km loop
- Track type
- Loop
- Climb
- over 1,400 m
- Grade
- Grade 3 to 4, intermediate mountain bike trail with advanced sections
- Surface
- Backcountry single track of gravel, rock and mud, with sections of 4WD road
- Winter
- Closed in winter
- Starts at
- Butlers Green, Arrowtown, by the Bush Creek footbridge at the end of Buckingham Street
- Bus
- Route 2 and Route 4 at Ramshaw Lane, 47, about 300 m from the start
- Bikes
- Bikes allowed
- Toilets
- Long-drop toilets at Greengate Hut and Eight Mile Hut
- Buggies and wheelchairs
- Not suitable for buggies. Not wheelchair accessible
- Children
- Not suitable for beginner riders, according to the Trust
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Coronet Loop Trail is a 50 km backcountry mountain bike circuit from Butlers Green in Arrowtown, rated intermediate with advanced sections. It takes 4 to 8 hours with over 1,400 m of climbing. It is closed for winter, generally May to October, and is closed on 18 September 2026.
What the track is like
Beech forest on Bush Creek, the 1860s Coronet Face Water Race, the historic Green Gates Hut, Picnic Rock and Elephant Rock above Deep Creek, Rainbow Falls, gold tailings near Eight Mile Hut, and views into the Arrow River gorge on the way back.
Most riders go clockwise from Butlers Green, climbing Bush Creek through beech forest and schist bluffs on a two-way track shared with walkers. From Bush Creek Saddle the Coronet Face Water Race contours across the front of Coronet Peak past old flume pipe and the restored Racemans chimney, and The Connector climbs to Coronet Peak Road.
From the road there are three ways into Long Gully: Tradesmans and Pack Track and Sack, which is Grade 4 with steep rock drops; Skippers Pack Track, which the Trust suggests to bypass those drops; or Skippers Road, a 4WD gravel road with vehicles and buses, which the Trust gives as the easier access. A signposted right turn near the valley floor starts the switchback climb to Greengates Saddle, followed by a descent on the old pack track past Green Gates Hut. In September 2026 the council has Skippers Road closed at the Saddle because of multiple slips, with its next update due 21 September 2026.
The loop climbs to Picnic Rock, descends into Deep Creek past waterfalls, weaves in and out of the creek, climbs the Willows Climb and crosses Parkers Creek to the Golden Terraces plateau, then drops from Eight Mile saddle. The old miners' track down the true right of Eight Mile Creek is narrow and exposed (Grade 4): walk it, or take the Macetown road and expect to get wet where it crosses the Arrow River.
The last leg follows the Macetown 4WD road beside the Arrow River, which the council has closed because of multiple slips and washouts; after the Norman Spencer bridge, steep stairs and narrow sections lead back to Butlers Green. For a shorter day the Trust suggests Coronet Loop Lite, 35 km from Skippers Saddle to Arrowtown with transport to the saddle, and Macetown lies 3 km further north of Eight Mile Hut, so the side trip adds about 6 km there and back.
How to get to the start
The loop starts and finishes by the small footbridge over Bush Creek near the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and Butlers Green, at the end of Buckingham Street, where the Trust says there is plenty of parking. Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 300 m away, for $2.50 with a Bee Card.
You can also join from Coronet Peak: park at Skippers Saddle (turn off Coronet Peak Road onto the gravel road) or just beyond the Skippers Road intersection on Coronet Peak Road. Skippers Road is a 4WD gravel road used by vehicles and buses; check your rental agreement before driving it. The council has Skippers Road closed at the Saddle because of multiple slips; its next update is due 21 September 2026.
- Start: Butlers Green, Arrowtown, by the Bush Creek footbridge at the end of Buckingham Street (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Plenty of parking in Arrowtown (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- By bus: Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 300 m from the start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Closed for the season on 18 September 2026. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the Coronet Loop as closed for winter; its trail page says the loop generally closes from May to October, and no reopening date is posted. Bush Creek, the usual first leg, is also listed as closed. Two roads the loop uses are also closed by the council (read 18 September 2026): Macetown Road, the last leg, because of multiple slips and washouts, and Skippers Road, one of the ways into Long Gully, at the Saddle because of multiple slips, with the next council update due 21 September 2026. Check Queenstown Trails Trust, Coronet Loop Trail and site alert banner (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | Closed: the Trust says the loop is generally closed from May to October, and on 18 September 2026 its banner still lists it as closed. When it reopens, check for slips and flood damage, which the Trust says can follow heavy rain. |
| Summer (December to February) | The main riding season. The Trust warns of alpine weather extremes including very hot days, and water is limited, though streams along the way allow refills. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Open until the winter closure, which the Trust says generally starts in May. Expect cold, windy and wet changes and carry extra layers. |
| Winter (June to August) | Closed throughout winter, generally from May to October, according to the Trust. |
What to know before you go
- Closed for winter: the Trust lists the loop as closed on 18 September 2026 and says it generally closes from May to October. Bush Creek is also listed as closed. Check queenstowntrails.org.nz for the reopening. The council also has Macetown Road and Skippers Road, both used by the loop, closed after slips.
- There is no cell phone reception. The Trust strongly recommends a personal locator beacon, a first aid kit, a repair kit and a survival blanket, and telling someone when you expect to return.
- Expect long steep climbs, narrow track, exposed edges and Grade 4 sections on Pack Track and Sack and the Eight Mile Creek miners' track. The Trust says most riders will walk some sections.
- There are multiple creek and river crossings, including the Arrow River on the Macetown road, and the trail is subject to slips and flood damage after heavy rain. Do not cross a creek or the Arrow River when the water is high or discoloured after rain: wait for it to drop or turn back.
- Alpine weather changes fast, from very hot to very cold, windy and wet. Check the forecast and carry extra layers; water is limited between streams. 4WD vehicles use Skippers Road and Macetown Road, and there is a total fire ban on the trail.
- The Trust's code of conduct asks everyone on its trails to stay on the trail, keep off private property, leave gates as they find them and not disturb livestock.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Coronet Loop?
50 km as a circuit from Arrowtown, or 35 km for Coronet Loop Lite from Skippers Saddle to Arrowtown.
How long does the Coronet Loop take?
The Trust gives 4 to 8 hours by bike. Walkers and runners are welcome, and the Trust says it can be split into a multi-day trip using the huts.
Is the Coronet Loop open?
No. On 18 September 2026 the Trust lists it as closed for winter; it generally closes from May to October.
How hard is the Coronet Loop?
Grade 3 to 4 with advanced sections, four major climbs and over 1,400 m of elevation gain. The Trust says it is not suitable for beginner riders.
Can I ride the Coronet Loop on an e-bike?
Yes, pedal-assist e-bikes are welcome. The Trust advises planning battery use or carrying a spare, given the length, the climbing and the creek crossings.
Is there phone reception on the Coronet Loop?
No. Carry a personal locator beacon, first aid, a repair kit and a survival blanket.
Can I camp on the Coronet Loop?
Greengate and Eight Mile huts are the designated camping areas, first come, first served, with long-drop toilets but no running water or cooking facilities. There is a total fire ban.
Where does the Coronet Loop start?
At Butlers Green in Arrowtown, by the Bush Creek footbridge at the end of Buckingham Street, about 300 m from the Orbus stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane). You can also join from Skippers Saddle or Coronet Peak Road.
Nearby walks
- Bush Creek Track
6.5 km one way · 1 hour 30 minutes one way · Intermediate tramping 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)
- Mt Dewar
2.5 km one way to the summit · 1 hour one way to the summit · Advanced tramping track
- Arrow River Bridges Trail
13.7 km one way · 2 to 3 hours by bike, 3 to 5 hours on foot · Grade 2, easy
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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: Queenstown Trails Trust, Coronet Loop Trail (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Coronet Trails (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus Queenstown GTFS (feed 260408-1230) (opens in a new tab), OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoder (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. 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.