Ben Lomond Track

Ben Lomond rises directly behind Queenstown to 1,438 metres, and from the summit the view is a complete circle - Lake Wakatipu below, the Remarkables opposite, the Eyre Mountains, and on a clear day Aspiring to the north. It is the big walk people do from town without transport. Two ways up: the Tiki Trail on foot from Queenstown through Douglas fir, or the Skyline gondola which removes about 450 metres of climbing and roughly ninety minutes. From either, the track climbs to Ben Lomond Saddle at about 1,326 metres - a reasonable objective in itself - and then takes a steep rocky ridge to the summit, which is where the difficulty sits. It is fully exposed above the bushline, with no water and no shelter, and snow lingers into December and returns early. In winter it becomes an alpine route needing crampons and experience, and people get into trouble attempting it without.

Highlights

• The summit circle - Wakatipu, the Remarkables and the Eyre Mountains.
• Ben Lomond Saddle - the reasonable stopping point at 1,326 metres.
• The final ridge - steep and rocky, where the effort concentrates.
• The gondola shortcut - 450 metres of climbing removed.

When to go

December to April. Start early - it is hot and exposed by midday. Do not attempt it in winter conditions without alpine equipment and experience.

Before you go

Six to eight hours from town, fully exposed, no water on the route. The final ridge is steep and loose. Snow lingers into December and returns in autumn. Many people turn back at the saddle, which is a sensible call.

Nearby

Queenstown is at the base; the Remarkables are across the lake.