If you are tired you can use the gondola to go down. From here the trail is pure joy, though steady work to climb uphill toward Ben Lomond Saddle. Queenstown is famous for being surrounded by some spectacular mountains. adventures and follow local regulations. There are so many amazing views on the Ben Lomond Track, but the hike isn’t without its difficulties, especially in winter. It follows the Tiki trail and the Skyline access road for about the first hour of the journey. We noted the DOC estimated walk times to the saddle and the summit, using them as a marker to gauge how fast we were walking. And the saddle is only just past the halfway mark in terms of elevation (about 520m vertical ascent from the top of the cablecar to the saddle and 430m from the saddle to the peak). This hike is absolutely breathtaking. The Ben Lomond walkway is one of the easiest and most accessible walks in the Queenstown area. Should you want to continue on, be sure to assess the conditions on the summit. (Summer: Distance is 6 miles to the summit of Ben Lomond with 3,712 feet elevation gain) ... Adventuring up to Ben Lomond's summit is an out-and-back day hike with views that are arguably more rewarding than … If you wish to take the gondola to the Skyline overlook, you can pick up the Ben Lomond trail behind the building. You'll pass Lake Kirkpatrick and lots of sheep on your way to Moke Lake, but keep driving until you get to the ... From Queenstown drive to the Remarkables Ski Field. The views of Queenstown, The Remarkables, and Lake Wakatipu at the top are jaw-dropping and rewarding. It is not a marked path but it is well-trodden. I had in fact hiked Roy’s Peak, ... the effort fitness level gondola station average fitness hour walk tree line take your time stunning views cable car south island saddle summit peak. Made it to the Ben Lomond Saddle in time for a much needed lunch after leaving Arthur’s Point four hours earlier. As a 30-year old, reasonably fit female who had hiked Ben Lomond seven years previous, I actually found this hike to be reasonably ok for the most part. Had the time and beautiful weather to attempt Ben Lomond summit, a strenuous walk in the summer, a pretty sketchy and dangerous one in winter. Late lunch at lodge. It is a very popular hike so expect crowds on any but rainy days (I did have the summit all to myself once but then again it was snowing up there). There are chances of Keas on the summit. Best easily accessible day hike from Queenstown. Hiking up the slow, winding incline of the Ben Lomond Saddle will provide sweeping views of the glorious South Island. About 3/4 of the way up you reach a bench at the Ben Lomond Saddle and get your first glimpse of the Southern Alps on the backside of Ben Lomond. For the first segment, the track begins at the Douglas fir stands via the Skyline Access Road and takes you through the alpine tussocks and shrubs. Trail condition: Great until the last 30 min to the summit. The trail's top section – from the 1326m saddle to the summit – runs through Ben Lomond Station, and farmer Hamish Foster has had a gutsful. 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! Lake Wakatipu from Above Higher… Lake Wakatipu and The Remarks …and higher. Plan for an additional 30- to 60-minute ascent to bag the peak. The drive to Moke Lake from Queenstown is only 14km but it takes about 30 minutes since you're on a dirt road for a good portion of it. The track starts off pretty easily and the views don’t take long to arrive. Lake Wakatipu from Above Higher… Lake Wakatipu and The Remarks …and higher. As a side note you can get snow at the summit even in the middle of summer so be prepared for quick changes. 3 hours up, about 2 down. The Ben Lomond saddle, at 1,346 meters, marks a wonderful stopping point if you are crunched for time. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 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. It was pretty fun. The track is well defined and family-friendly, but it's completely uphill and rather exposed until you reach the summit.You start off walking through native Beech forest and invasive wilding pines, and then at about 800 meters you get above the tree line and alpine tussocks dominate the landscape. Ben Lomond Saddle is one of the most stunning views in all of New Zealand. Takes about 7 hours for a beginner. At 1748 meters, this summit offers stunning 360 degree views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding Queenstown region. The hike itself will take around 3 hours to reach the saddle with the summit being another 45 minutes from there. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your The hike is very well marked with lots of information boards on the area. Tiki Trail (1 hour walk) Starting at the base of the Gondola, the Tiki Trail is an alternative route to get … The tiki Trail was steep some times. This can be a full day walk so take extra clothing, drinks and food. Bring enough water and some snacks! The great thing about the Ben Lomond Trail is that there are actually two different ways to hike to the saddle or summit. Ben Lomond Saddle. Distance today is about 20km. I shamelessly hugged the longer side of that time estimate thanks to plentiful photo, snack, and water breaks. Note: The section from the saddle to the summit crosses private land. Ben Lomond Track: Saddle or Summit-both great - See 687 traveller reviews, 493 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. If you're in Queenstown and consider 360-degree views of lakes and mountains a worthwhile reward for a day hike, then trekking to the Ben Lomond summit is a perfect adventure for you! Moonlight from Ben Lomond Saddle On my most recent trip up Ben Lomond (when many of these photos were taken), I was wearing a singlet and shorts as I set off from the gondola at a leisurely 10am (if you’re starting from Queenstown itself and taking the Tiki Trail then you don’t really want to leave it any later than that – I was cheating with taking the gondola up and down). We knew the walk to the Ben Lomond Saddle would need to be efficient not snow or ice to deal with. Discover everything you need to know about Ben Lomond summit—a hiking attraction recommended by 16 people on komoot—and browse 29 photos & 1 insider tips. Both exposure and steepness increase during the final 400 meters to the summit. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Many people call it a day once they get there, but climbing the final stretch to the summit is incredibly worthwhile since you get 360-degree views of the Lake Wakatipu Basin and Southern Alps. Note: The section from the saddle to the summit crosses private land. See this Tour and others like it, or plan your own with komoot! From the Skyline Gondola to the Ben Lomond Saddle and back is about 3 to 3.5 hours. Few of them are as easily accessible as Ben Lomond. Experience magnificent lake and mountain views as you climb up the saddle. These photos are somewhat deceiving as the ridgeline was essentially snowless all the way to the summit. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/otago/ben-lomond-track After about two hours of hiking you’ll reach the Ben Lomond Saddle with views opening up into Skippers and Shotover Canyons. *More info on the other tracks can be found here: http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/wakatipu-walks-brochure.pdf. Also go with your headlamp and catch a sunset up there. Expect 4-6 hours round-trip from the top of the Gondola and 6-8 from Queenstown Views from the summit: About 3/4 of the way up you reach a bench at the Ben Lomond Saddle and get your first glimpse of the Southern Alps on the backside of Ben Lomond. From the top stunning 360 degrees view, amazing hike!! And if you're really ambitious, rather than taking the Moonlight Track out to Arthur's Point, you could take it to Moke Lake. 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. The Cutler Ridge trailhead is down the gated dirt road; trail sign and map are on the left. The summit stands at a height of 1438m. Both exposure and steepness increase during the final 400 meters to the summit. I walked it relatively quickly. Ben Lomond is a mountain. The summit lies approximately 4 km northwest of the town centre, and reaches a height of 1,748 metres (5,735 ft). At 1748 meters, this summit offers stunning 360 degree views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding Queenstown region. As a 30-year old, reasonably fit female who had hiked Ben Lomond seven years previous, I actually found this hike to be reasonably ok for the most part. My brother wanted to tag the summit. 3. Beyond the saddle is Ben Lomond Station where the track becomes a marked route. There is one in Scotland, which the New Zealand one was named after. Made it to the Ben Lomond Saddle in time for a much needed lunch after leaving Arthur’s Point four hours earlier. Skill needed: moderate. Ben Lomond Track: Difficult but well worth it! The track now swings to the west as it goes up a steeper ridge to the Ben Lomond summit – which is still free of cloud 5. The mountain is composed of a central massif with an extensive plateau above 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) and high outlier peaks projecting from the mountain. Many people call it a day once they get there, but climbing the final stretch to the summit is incredibly worthwhile since you get 360-degree views of the Lake Wakatipu Basin and Southern Alps. Beyond the saddle, the trail is no longer marked in the winter - approaching the summit requires a fair amount of scrambling through rocks and snow. 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. ... maybe to the saddle and back (didn't want to overdo it). We tackle the super famous Ben Lomond Summit track! 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 … This is the first part of the trail and the Tiki trail actually ends where the Ben Lomond Trail starts. An hour and a half from leaving the gondola, you’ll arrive at the saddle between Ben Lomond (on the left) and Bowen Peak (on the right). Ben Lomond Peak (9,712') Utah via Cutler Ridge and North Skyline Trails, 8/25/20. Apart from the amazing views the best thing is that you can start this hike straight from Queenstown town center and finish it off with a nice cold pint back in town. Beyond the saddle is Ben Lomond Station where the track becomes a marked route. The first is what some would call the “long way”, and the other is a little easier (but in my opinion great for those not keen to hike for 7 hours to the summit and back!) Ben Lomond is a mountain in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia.. The view from Arthur’s saddle, on the way to Ben Lomond’s summit How to Get There The final stretch from the Ben Lomond Saddle to the Summit is the hardest part. Evening stretch and yoga. The Ben Lomond saddle, at 1,346 meters, marks a wonderful stopping point if you are crunched for time. Unreal! On the top of Bob’s Peak (Cemetery Hill) sits the Skyline Complex. For about half an hour your views are limited to the surrounding hills. The Ben Lomond track can be broken down into two distinct parts – the trail to the saddle followed by the ascent to the summit. I had in fact hiked Roy’s Peak, ... the effort fitness level gondola station average fitness hour walk tree line take your time stunning views cable car south island saddle summit peak. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! After about two hours of hiking you’ll reach the Ben Lomond Saddle with views opening up into Skippers and Shotover Canyons. Near the saddle is the intersection with the Moonlight Track, and a bench that provides a convenient resting point and chance to assess conditions. Powered by: Powered by WordPress.com.Contact Me. There, you’ll find a café/restaurant, luge track and a paragliding, bungy jump and ziplining base – plenty of … But easy too. The track follows a ridgeline up to the saddle between Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak before becoming quite steep for the summit track to the top.New Zealand … Day 3 - Saturday. How to Get There The track to Ben Lomond begins in Queenstown itself, making this an exceptionally … About 3/4 of the way up you reach a bench at the Ben Lomond Saddle and get your first glimpse of the Southern Alps on the backside of Ben Lomond. © 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. You start from Thompson street and just follow the signs up through the forest and towards the summit of Ben Lomond. Climb to the 1,326 m Ben Lomond Saddle. From here to the summit the track is very steep and not recommended for children under 10 or … We noted the DOC estimated walk times to the saddle and the summit, using them as a marker to gauge how fast we were walking. 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. This is a great hike while you're in Queenstown to see a gorgeous view of the area if you have a few hours to kill. From here, the terrain becomes steeper and rougher as it approaches Ben Lomond's 1,748m summit. Take the Gondola to Skyline, follow the signs to the saddle and the steep ascent on your left to the summit (1747m). 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. If you do this hike, you will be walking up a mountain (or at least part of it). March 6, 2019 Queenstown, New Zealand Ben Lomond Summit Hike The Ben Lomond Summit hike is a difficult hike that winds its way steadily above Queenstown to the Ben Lomond Saddle before taking on a rocky trek circling the mountain to arrive at the summit 1748m high. ... up through the Tiki Trail Forest to the luge area, to the Ben Lomond Saddle, to the summit proper. Buffet Dinner at Lodge. And the saddle is only just past the halfway mark in terms of elevation (about 520m vertical ascent from the top of the cablecar to the saddle and 430m from the saddle to the peak). If you're feeling tired you can stop at the saddle and still get great views. Length: between 6-7 miles. The most iconic (and surely the best) day hike in Queenstown takes you above picturesque Lake Wakatipu to the summit of Ben Lomond, the mountain which looms over Queenstown (but is hidden from view from most parts of town). Distance today is about 20km. From here, the terrain becomes steeper and rougher as it approaches Ben Lomond's 1,748m summit. The road features incredible views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, Shotover Canyon and the Southern Alps. From the Skyline Gondola to the Ben Lomond Saddle and back is … Trampers have a rest on Ben Lomond Saddle with the peak towering above them. My wife and I were only travelling through Queenstown for a few days, but summiting Ben Lomond was the first thing on our agenda and the highlight of our trip! The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from November until April. Please explore responsibly! Take your pick - walk to Ben Lomond Saddle (3-4 hours return) or to Ben Lomond Summit (6-8 hours return). From Queenstown we will climb to Ben Lomond Saddle (and the summit of Ben Lomond for those who are keen) before dropping into the Moonlight and making our way to the Lodge. After a short section of bush we got our first glimpse of the Ben Lomond peak. Adventuring up to Ben Lomond's summit is an out-and-back day hike with views that are arguably more rewarding than some of those you get on New Zealand's Great Walks. The start of the Tiki Trail is at 345 meters above sea level, the top of the gondola at 770 meters, the Ben Lomond Saddle sits at at 1326 meters and Ben Lomond’s Summit stands at 1748 meters, so you’ll climb a total elevation of 1403 meters if you start from the bottom! I had in fact hiked Roy’s Peak, ... the effort fitness level gondola station average fitness hour walk tree line take your time stunning views cable car south island saddle summit peak. Climb to the 1,326 m Ben Lomond Saddle. Ben Lomond (45°00'24.06" south 168°36'54.76" east) is an attractive mountain that looms up behind Queenstown, reaching an altitude of 1748 metres (5735 feet). Fitness Level: Moderate to High. The track now swings to the west as it goes up a steeper ridge to the Ben Lomond summit – … Ben Lomond is the big mountain directly behind Queenstown. Few of them are as easily accessible as Ben Lomond. 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. Ben Lomond Track: This the walk up to the Ben Lomond Saddle - See 686 traveller reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. After the saddle when the track deviates from the ridge line (at Pt. The trail's top section – from the 1326m saddle to the summit – runs through Ben Lomond Station, and farmer Hamish Foster has had a gutsful. Duration: 3-4 hr to Ben Lomond Saddle, 6-8 hr to Ben Lomond Summit. From here, the terrain becomes steeper and rougher as it approaches Ben Lomond’s 1,748m summit. Ben Lomond Saddle . In the summer, Ben Lomond is an easy rated track flooded with tourists. The Ben Lomond Track The Summit. Beyond the saddle is Ben Lomond Station where the track becomes a marked route. Ben Lomond Summit. Ben Lomond Summit. Reach the Ben Lomond Summit Time roundtrip: 6-7 hours with plenty of stops. It's supposedly a 6-8 hour hike to the summit, but it's possible to get to the summit and down again in under 4 hours if you're speedy. This 14.2KM trail in Queenstown New Zealand was a fairly tiring day hike, taking around 7 … When walking the track you may decide to walk only as far as the Saddle (that’s where the blue dotted line in the picture above curves to the left). Ben Lomond Saddle. 2. The walk to the saddle is easy, and from there it gets much steeper to the summit. The first option to reaching the summit or saddle begins from Brecon Street in Queenstown. Ben Lomond Track: After ascending the hill from Queenstown (either by foot or gondola) the track follows the ridge just below the top. Before you begin your ascent up to the saddle of Ben Lomond, you’ll encounter a hub of activity. I fully recommend this. To as low as 3 hours if you jog it. PHOTO: ALINA SUCHANSKI None of these peaks would have had their European names yet. Ben Lomond Track is a 8.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. Type: Moderate Hike. 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. Queenstown is famous for being surrounded by some spectacular mountains. The trail offers scenic views of Ben Lomond and Willard Peaks, and there are some outstanding rock formations along the way. Many people call it a day once they get there, but climbing the final stretch to the summit is incredibly worthwhile since you get 360-degree views of the Lake Wakatipu Basin and Southern Alps. - See 686 traveller reviews, 489 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, ... We were 'older and slower' (50s/60s) than most on the track and fair to say we found the track from the saddle to the summit reasonably arduous as it … The saddle is often the place I stopped as a little kid, not being big enough to make it all the way to the summit … Breakfast at hotel and Pack bags (Bags will be Shuttled to Ben Lomond Station) From Queenstown we will climb to Ben Lomond Saddle (and the summit of Ben Lomond for those who are keen) before dropping into the Moonlight and making our way to the Lodge. From the bottom of the gondola look for the signs to the Tiki Trail. As a 30-year old, reasonably fit female who had hiked Ben Lomond seven years previous, I actually found this hike to be reasonably ok for the most part. In the winter, the hike gets a complete makeover by the soft blankets of snow, especially closer to the peak. Plan for an additional 30- to 60-minute ascent to bag the peak. Ben Lomond track is a challenging track with a 1438m elevation gain of the walk. Had the time and beautiful weather to attempt Ben Lomond summit, a strenuous walk in the summer, a pretty sketchy and dangerous one in winter. Late lunch at lodge. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. The saddle is 1,326m high and the summit is 1,748m high. Great hike to the Ben Lomond summit. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 4-5 hours if you take the gondola.. 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. 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. After a short section of bush we got our first glimpse of the Ben Lomond peak. Just below the saddle is the turn-off to Arthurs Point on the Moonlight track. We knew the walk to the Ben Lomond Saddle … 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. The Ben Lomond summit starts to the left of the skyline gondola in Queenstown. We did this walk on the last day of winter (August 31 st) and before long we encountered some shady parts of track full of ice, snow and mud.It was slow going but we could see the impressive face of Ben Lomond ahead which distracted us. Your email address will not be published. You can take the Skyline gondola part way up if you want to shorten the climb, but I usually start at the small signposted carpark on Lomond Crescent and take the 4-WD track up the first stretch. Ben Lomond Track – Gondola to Saddle Views both over QT and the mountains behind. Hike to the Ben Lomond SADDLE. Ben Lomond Track Summit, Queenstown NZ Trail Running trail in Queenstown, Otago (New Zealand). Ben Lomond is a mountain located close to Queenstown, New Zealand.It was named after Ben Lomond in Scotland by the early shepherd Duncan McAusland. Moke Lake Loop Track and Lake Dispute – Queenstown, A Weekend around Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet). The trail morphs into a steep uphill climb from saddle to summit. As you start the Ben Lomond Track from the gondola, the first part is through the woods and still shaded. The Ben Lomond track also connects to the Moonlight Track at the saddle, so you can take that track down to Arthur's Point if you want to avoid and out-and-back, but you would have to arrange a car drop because it would make the adventure a point-to-point. If you decide to go all the way to the Ben Lomond Summit, expect the total hike to take 6-8 hours (according to the DOC). Make sure you do this hike! Ben Lomond Track: Saddle or Summit-both great - See 686 traveler reviews, 493 candid photos, and great deals for Queenstown, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Note: The section from the saddle to the summit crosses private land. Should you want to continue on, be sure to assess the conditions on the summit. The Cutler Basin trail is used less often than the Ben Lomond trail from North Fork Park because it is steeper and more strenuous. The Hike to Ben Lomond Saddle. 1049) just keep on the ridge and it will take you all the way down to the gondola. But you need good stamina too. 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! These photos are somewhat deceiving as the ridgeline was essentially snowless all the way to the summit. Evening stretch and yoga. The track starts right from town so you don't need a car, and unlike town, the track is rarely busy. If you want a bit of challenge and avoid the crowds for a spell on the way down you can take the less used ridge route. The hike is fairly grueling, and it compares with many 14er hikes in my native state of Colorado. Ben Lemond Saddle – Ben Lomond summit Loop from Boydtown is an expert Hiking Tour. Town centre, and water breaks November until April two different ways to hike the. Climb uphill toward Ben Lomond, you will be walking up a mountain ( or least... 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A car, and reaches a height of 1,748 metres ( 5,735 ft ) water... Lake Dispute – Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding Queenstown region names!