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Queenstown Lakes District, New Zealand

Looking for the best hiking in Queenstown Lakes District? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Queenstown Lakes District. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Queenstown Lakes District

  • Ben Lomond, New Zealand

    Camp at Moke Lake

    5.0
    4.3 mi
    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. You'll pass Lake Kirkpatrick and lots of sheep on your way to Moke Lake, but keep driving until you get to the campground that's on the southeast end of the lake...
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  • Queenstown, New Zealand

    Hike to Queenstown Hill

    5.0
    3.1 mi / 1640.4 ft gain
    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. The hike is very well marked with lots of information boards on the area. Please make sure to dress appropriately - there can be some snow on the ground in the winter. From the carp...
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  • Queenstown, New Zealand

    Ben Lomond Track via Skyline Road

    5.0
    25.88 mi / 3107 ft gain
    In the summer, Ben Lomond is an easy rated track flooded with tourists. In the winter, the hike gets a complete makeover by the soft blankets of snow, especially closer to the peak. Although the snow makes the route significantly more challenging, the views afforded are phenomenal and the trail i...
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  • Queenstown Lakes District, New Zealand

    Ben Lomond Track via Old Skyline Road

    5.0
    25.99 mi / 3107 ft gain
    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. 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...
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  • Gibbston, New Zealand

    Hike to Lake Alta

    2 mi
    From Queenstown drive to the Remarkables Ski Field. The road features incredible views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, Shotover Canyon and the Southern Alps. The road takes you far above tree line into alpine high country.From the parking area it is a short (30-45 min) walk along a pleasant trail t...
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  • Glenorchy, New Zealand

    Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

    8.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
    Once you identify the parking area (Right turn off Glenorchy Paradise Road just before crossing the Earnslaw Burn, park a the bend in the road.) Cross the boggy meadow in a NW direction until you see the orange trail markers on trees.The trail below bush line is long, very rugged and covered with...
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  • Greenstone, New Zealand

    Hike to Lake Rere

    The track begins from the Greenstone carpark. After walking for around 5 minutes, you will chose which direction you would like to complete the loop. For our hike we chose to go left over the swing bridge that crosses the river. After crossing the river you continue through open farm paddocks....
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  • Mount Earnslaw, New Zealand

    Climb Mount Earnslaw, Mount Aspiring National Park

    5.0
    16.8 mi / 8000 ft gain
    Start at the Rees Valley Trailhead, approximately 30 minutes from Glenorchy. The trail begins as a dirt road that passes through grazing land and small tributary creeks that flow into the Rees. The first 4.4 miles (7 km) of the trail hugs the Rees River and stays in the grassy and often boggy riv...
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  • Kinloch, New Zealand

    Backpack the Routeburn Track

    5.0
    12.5 mi
    If you're looking for the best the Routeburn Track has to offer but only have one night to spend - hike from the Glenorchy side Routeburn Shelter to Lake Mackenzie in 12.5 miles (approx. 3,500 feet of elevation gain) and stay at this stunning hut location before backtracking over Harris Saddle th...
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  • Kinloch, New Zealand

    Day Hike to Harris Saddle (Routeburn Track)

    4.0
    14.3 mi / 2460.6 ft gain
    The Routeburn Track is world famous, and with good reason. But the because it is a through hike that requires multiple hut reservations and an expensive car-shuttle or two day bus ride to complete, many people feel overwhelmed or underprepared. This day hike options allows you a no-strings-attach...
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  • Kinloch, New Zealand

    Day Hike the Routeburn Track

    20.5 mi / 4100 ft gain
    New Zealand's incredible Routeburn Track is popular for a reason, and to this day it is still one of the most beautiful hikes I've done. Usually backpacked in 3-4 days, this 20 mile hike is possible to do in one!  During Great Walks season (October through April), huts and campsites along the tra...
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  • Kinloch, New Zealand

    Day Hike the Routeburn North Branch

    To access the Routeburn North Branch, you start out from the Routeburn Shelter and head along the Routeburn Track towards Routeburn Flats Hut (6.5km). At the hut, cross the wide but shallow North Branch to pick up the poled route on the other side that leads through the last of the Routeburn flat...
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  • Treble Cone, New Zealand

    Hike to the Summit of Treble Cone

    4 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    If you're in Wanaka, you cannot miss this hike. If the ski area is closed for the season you can still hike there but please check in with the Treble Cone Office in Wanaka. Begin at the ski field parking area and climb among snow slops and service roads, alternatively ascend the ridge on the far ...
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  • Glendhu Bay, New Zealand

    Hike to Diamond Lake

    1.6 mi / 721.8 ft gain
    From the car park follow the well marked trail. You will continue gradually uphill for around 30 minutes before reaching Diamond Lake. You can continue past the lake for approximately 15 minutes to get to a viewing platform. This part of the trail winds steeply uphill in a combination of grave...
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  • Glendhu Bay, New Zealand

    Hike to Rocky Mountain

    4 mi / 1476.4 ft gain
    This is an awesome hike with views similar to Roy Peak but more varied terrain (and less of a climb as the mountain only hits 775m. The drive is only ~10 minutes outside Wanaka. From the Diamond Lake trailhead, follow the track from the end of the car park towards Diamond Lake. From the Lake, fol...
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  • Cattle Flat, New Zealand

    Hike the Minaret Burn Track

    8.7 mi
    The Minaret Burn Track starts at the end of West Wanaka Road at Homestead Bay, which many tourists (and locals!) unknowingly drive past on their way to Treble Cone, Diamond Lake and/or the Rob Roy glacier. The start of the track is signposted and trail times to Colquhouns Beach (2-3 hrs; 7km) and...
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