Queenstown Trail
Queenstown Trail
4.5
About
The 120km+ Queenstown cycling and walking trail is a world-class experience. A bike ride, walk or cycling tour through the greater Queenstown area takes you along the spectacular shores of two iconic lakes and the banks of three famous South Island rivers. Discover historic Arrowtown, the vineyards of Gibbston and beautiful Lake Wakatipu - all at your own pace!
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More than 3 hours
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4.5
211 reviews
Excellent
162
Very good
42
Average
7
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0
DanitaKT
Mckinnon, Australia37 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Family
Our family of four (children 14 & 18) hired electric bikes from Torpedo7 in Queenstown. We had not used electric bikes previously but needed the boost for the 70km+ round trip to Arrowtown. It was awesome! Although quite challenging at times given the undulations. The track is first class. Credit to the council for supporting outdoor activities.
Lots of amazing scenes along the way- rivers, mountains, lovely houses, views across the lake and glorious autumn leaves. Would highly recommend despite the sore body today!! All worth it!
A call out to Torpedo7 who were awesome in supporting us, including a flat tyre. They went above and beyond. Their bikes were in great condition.
Lots of amazing scenes along the way- rivers, mountains, lovely houses, views across the lake and glorious autumn leaves. Would highly recommend despite the sore body today!! All worth it!
A call out to Torpedo7 who were awesome in supporting us, including a flat tyre. They went above and beyond. Their bikes were in great condition.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelguy1969
Wellington, New Zealand109 contributions
Jan. 2023
This is a moderate to challenging walk but the views from the top are worth it. Short walk to the start from town centre.
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NZcurl
11 contributions
Jan. 2022 • Family
Biked Arrowtown to ‘Bungy Bridge’ with 7 year old and stunning views, great track. Did it the old fashioned way with push bikes, not e-bike, and was easy with ups and downs.
Written 20 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albywon
Sydney, Australia11,830 contributions
Nov. 2021 • Solo
Today I walked the section from Queenstown Gardens to Frankston Campground. It’s a wide flat trail suited to all fitness levels. Trail is share with runners and Mountain Bikes.
Nice view of the lake and mostly away from the Main Road so it is quite peaceful.
A pleasant walk
Nice view of the lake and mostly away from the Main Road so it is quite peaceful.
A pleasant walk
Written 26 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darkwind
Auckland, New Zealand93 contributions
Jun. 2021
I walked from Queenstown to Frankton and back along the trail. It has the advantage of being pretty flat and, because it is at the level of the lake, it's often sheltered from the worst of the wind. Some nice views of the lake and the surrounding scenery - as well as some sneak previews of the amazing properties along the lakeside.
Written 3 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bec
Birmingham, UK537 contributions
Feb. 2021
I have both walked and cycled on sections of the Queenstown Trail. The scenery from the trail is absolutely stunning, and the paths are very well maintained. Being a walker there is some cyclist traffic so you have to look out, but etiquette from both parties is usually very good and the path can be shared. Being a cyclist - remember to watch out for walkers, and also other cyclists around corners. Some parts can be narrow (from Frankton towards the golf course) so remember that there will be others on the path too. It's best to have a bell so you can ring before going around a tight corner.
I would definitely recommend doing a part of the trail either on foot or bike on a visit to Queenstown. My particular favourite which I did quite a few times was the ride from Queenstown to Frankton, where you can paddle your feet in the shallows of the crystal clear lake before heading back. A stop at the Boatshed cafe is always nice too.
I would definitely recommend doing a part of the trail either on foot or bike on a visit to Queenstown. My particular favourite which I did quite a few times was the ride from Queenstown to Frankton, where you can paddle your feet in the shallows of the crystal clear lake before heading back. A stop at the Boatshed cafe is always nice too.
Written 31 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kestonr2018
Wellington, New Zealand261 contributions
Jan. 2021 • Solo
I walked the Queenstown trail from Queenstown beach to the Kawarau Falls. I would echo all the comments on here from many others. Even walking in sections the trail is fantastic. Looking forward to the rain stopping tomorrow so we can ride the Arrowtown Bridges trail to Gibston.
Written 6 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cybertrav
New Zealand574 contributions
Nov. 2020
This is our second time on the trails, this time with our e-bikes which made it so much more enjoyable and, given that we are not seriously bike-fit, enabled us to tackle the Grade 3 trails which had some rather steep uphill sections. Would never have got up them otherwise! There is so much variety over the entire trail and I could happily do each section many times over. We will be back!
Written 4 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane W
Auckland, New Zealand162 contributions
Oct. 2020 • Couples
After a big night out we decided to grab a couple of bikes and set off along the river from Arrowtown all the way to Kawerau Bridge (50kms return trip). Views are stunning and if you are not an accomplished rider get your self an ebike!
Written 4 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thetraveller99
Auckland, New Zealand99 contributions
Aug. 2020
We got bikes and traveled from Arrowtown to the Gibbston Valley and back. The trails were well marked and criss crossing the rivers was an added bonus.
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hadi Suryono
Yogyakarta Region, Indonesia4 contributions
Hi. We are family of 2 kids 10yo and 5yo.
Is it possible to rent ebike with child seat in the back for my 5yo kid?
Thanks.
LouiseVicente
Christchurch, New Zealand6 contributions
Hi Hadisuryo, the Queenstown Trail is the perfect ride for families. Check out any of the bike hire companies listed on the Queenstown Trail website / Trail directory / Bike Hire. Any of the bigger rental companies will have child bike trailer or seat options - Torpedo7, Arrowtown Bike Hire, Around the Basin, Chargeabout or Bikes and Barbers,
cybertrav
New Zealand574 contributions
Hi, we have done the trail from Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley which is graded Easy and now want to try the other trails. Can you advise what features of the Intermediate trails have lifted them into the next category please? Is it due to steeper hills or are the tracks narrower and more challenging? The trail website homepage has an image of two women sitting on a very narrow track with a steep drop down to the river. Is that an intermediate or advanced trail?
Thanks.
PeterB
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia90 contributions
Hi. There are some steepish climbs on the twin rivers trial and the country side trial. Other than that, the trials are wide with a good surface (except for lake hayes loop, single track but still easily doable). It is best to ride from Arrowtown towards Queenstown on both trials, less climbing (but still some climbs). We used Queenstown Mtb taxi, excellent people to deal with.
Hope this helps.
Kezzie13
Sydney, Australia6 contributions
Hi, would this trail be suitable to do in Winter?
Lou_QTT
Queenstown, New Zealand6 contributions
Wrap up warm with a few layers and some gloves and you would be good to go - the trails are easy/intermediate grade and the snow only lands on the ground in QT in winter a couple of times - the scenery is particularly gorgeous when the snow is on the hills - it would be an exhilarating and fun adventure in my opinion - have done it many times myself!
Joli R
Elizabeth, CO51 contributions
this entire trail sounds exquisite. We are intermediate riders in our 60s, and need help in deciding which loop / trail to do. We'll be renting bikes, don't mind a glass of wine, but don't necessarily want to ride home uphill! Any specific recs? Staying at the Queenstown House. Thanks very much!
Lou_QTT
Queenstown, New Zealand6 contributions
Hello - the beauty about our trails is the majority are of easy grade. From Queenstown House you can easily ride the Lake Wakatipu Ride from Queenstown Gardens to Kelvin Peninsula, stopping at the Boatshed Cafe for coffee and a sticky bun, onto the Hilton for a glass of wine in the Pinot Pit and then to the sculpture trail which is located on Kelvin Peninsula - an easy 15kms one way - bike taxi can be called to take you back to the Hotel - if the vineyards are where you want to go a lovely ride is from Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley for lunch and then bike taxi back to town (its slightly uphill heading from Gibbston to Arrowtown and there is usually a headwind too) - EBikes may be the answer for you there are plenty available from bike hire stores in QT - hope this helps, enjoy your ride! Happy trails
Mso56
San Diego, CA139 contributions
Hi,
I'm in a group tour and we have a few days on our own in Queenstown. I'm thinking of renting a bike and spending the day cycling. I'm a road/ gravel rider at home in California. How is the overall condition of the trail? I'd like to hire a nice bike, can you recommend a shop in Queenstown? Staying at the Novotel hotel.
Thanks.
Lou_QTT
Queenstown, New Zealand6 contributions
Great to learn you are heading to Queenstown wiith your group and wish to enjoy some of our great trails. Our trails are predominantly off-road easy/intermediate grade and finished to a high standard. The COncerige at Novotel will be able to advise you re the trails and bike hire. The closest bike hire store is Cycle Higher (located a 1min walk from Novotel), Paul from Cycle Higher will also be able to assist you direct with bike hire/guiding/maps/bike taxi services. Please go to our website click the directory heading, bike hire and you will find all the info you need - happy trails.
TMcleish
London8 contributions
Can you tell me if this trail is suitable for children riding bikes? Our youngest is 7. Thanks
Lou_QTT
Queenstown, New Zealand6 contributions
Our trails are predominantly easy / intermediate grade with a well finished surface and are off-road. Plenty of children with reasonable biking ability enjoy our trails - suggest you start with an easy ride for example from Queenstown to Frankton and stop at the Boatshed cafe for refreshments (they do great coffee and sticky buns) and then return back to Queenstown. If you are Arrowtown based, the Arrow River trail from Arrowtown to Whitechapel is fabulous and does have bridges and small hills - again depends upon the ability of your childrens riding. Bike hire companies in Queenstown do have trailer bikes (which hook onto back of mum/dads bike) if you wish to tackle a longer trail option. Trust this helps, check out our official partners page on our website for bike hire/guiding options. Happy trails
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Claim your listingQueenstown Trail: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Queenstown Trail
- Hotels near Queenstown Trail:
- (0.03 km) 2 bedroom apartment with sofa bed. 15 minute flat walk to city centre.
- (0.16 km) Q Box Motorhome Park
- (0.15 km) Creekside Villa
- (0.21 km) Mountain Creek Vacation
- (0.71 km) Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde
- Restaurants near Queenstown Trail:
- (0.17 km) Searchlight Brewery
- (0.50 km) Pedro's House Of Lamb - Queenstown
- (0.32 km) Queenstown Cafe
- (1.38 km) Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience
- (1.33 km) Tatsumi