Queenstown Trail
Queenstown Trail
4.5
Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
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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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  • Bec
    Birmingham, United Kingdom537 contributions
    Great on foot or hike
    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.
    Visited February 2021
    Written March 31, 2021
  • Pat M
    Wausau, Wisconsin172 contributions
    Outstanding trail
    We rented bikes in downtown Queenstown, and got on this trail. It follows the lake all around Queenstown, with some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen. The trail conditions are crushed rock, so very smooth. It is quite busy the closer you get to town, but wide enough not to have real issues. It is not very hilly(I would call it rolling). Only bad spot is just after the bridge, you should walk the bike down the small hill-a hairpin turn is not easy for everyone. As I said views were excellent. An added surprise, was Altitude Brewery was on the trail, so fun place for a break.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 15, 2020
  • cia0bella171
    Sunshine Beach, Australia4 contributions
    OMG loved this
    I love biking and this trail was fabulous. There is something for everyone- undulating trails, streams and creeks, wildflowers, incredible bridges, and a few boulders for the climbing. It took us about 4 hours with lots of stopping and enjoying the scenery/photography. Loved the end of the trail options of vineyards and food. We had a shuttle pick us up and take us back. We did this trail a second time before we left the area because it was so worth doing. I'd recommend an electric bike for those who aren't that into biking- will make the journey more enjoyable.
    Visited January 2020
    Written January 25, 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.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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cybertrav
New Zealand550 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 December 4, 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.

Warner4109
Palos Verdes Estates, CA13 contributions
Dec 2019
we took this walk one morning thinking it was a leisurely stroll. it was beautiful but a lot of uphill, like all of it was uphill, until of course you came back down. i would totally recommend it, just make sure you have enough time to get all the way up and back.
Written January 8, 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.

Darkwind
Auckland, New Zealand91 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 July 3, 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.

DanitaKT
Mckinnon, Australia33 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.
Written April 11, 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.

Ginny Z
West Chester, PA439 contributions
Feb 2020
We rented Electric bikes from Better by Bike in Arrowtown and spent 5-6 hours biking the Queenstown-Arrowtown trail. There are plenty of wineries to visit along the way. The company will even pick you up at your choice of venue when you are tired. The Better by Bike crew were all extremely helpful and friendly.
Written March 2, 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.

Mike T
Melbourne, Australia42 contributions
Feb 2020
This is an easy walk around the lake: we did 14 km before lunch. Views to die for; European vegetation including fruit trees; lots of birds and not too many people. Particularly pleasant
Written February 18, 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.

lisak12
Washington DC280 contributions
May 2020
My husband and I got "stuck" in Queenstown due to the coronavirus, and I swear this trail is what kept us sane. The ability to head out in either direction for as long as we wanted with the gorgeous lake views, trees, tuis, fantails...it was heaven. And it is not overly crowded considering how gorgeous it is. Love the ability to walk through nature into town and back...and to the beautiful gardens, the marina, etc. Just wow.
Written May 14, 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.

Rowan B
Sydney, Australia103 contributions
Jan 2020
The Queenstown Trail is a great network of off-road bike trails around the Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston area. Most of the trails are gravel and quite wide, making for an easy family ride.
We rented bikes from Better By Bikes in Arrowtown. My wife hired an e-Mountain Bike so she could keep up with our teenaged boys - it was a revelation. Suddenly, there was no "keep up, Mum" and everyone was in a great mood.
We headed down past the Shotover Bungy jump and on to Gibbston where we stopped at the Cargo Brewery for some craft beers. Better By Bikes were more than happy to pick us up at the end so we didn't have to ride back!
Written January 18, 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.

Neil B
Auckland, New Zealand1,096 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
The Queenstown Trail is actually quite a large trail network with many options. We had a couple of hours to spare before heading to the airport, so walked part of the Queenstown Gardens to Frankton Marina leg.

A very nice wide trail that follows the lake edge. Great views across the lake to the mountains on the other side.
Written July 10, 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.

Albywon
Sydney, Australia11,806 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
Written November 26, 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.

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