Queenstown Hill Time Walk

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Last Updated on December 20, 2022 by Jon Algie

A trip to Queenstown wouldn’t be complete without getting off the streets and onto a hiking trail. The Queenstown Hill Time Walk has the perfect mix of stunning views and (relatively) easy hiking — keep reading for more details.

Starting the Hike

I hiked up Queenstown Hill in winter and it was freezing. There was frost everywhere but the track was still in great shape — it was steeper than I expected though. I had to stop a few times to catch my breath, but 30 minutes (more or less) later I was at the top. Or that’s what I thought. It looks like an official viewpoint but trees obscure the view. You’ll have to climb higher!

READ MORE: 14 of the Best Walks in Queenstown

A Scenic Detour

While hiking up to the Queenstown Hill summit I decided to embark on a detour (take the narrower track on the left if you want to do the same). This track took me around a ridge and then past a small frozen lake. The views back over Queenstown and the snow-covered mountains surrounding it were awesome, and it’s a different angle than most people see. It felt like I was miles away from civilization up there and I didn’t see any other hikers on that trail.

For a while I thought I was lost as the track kind of disappeared, but I eventually made it out to a road and from there various viewpoints of the Queenstown Hill summit came into  view.

Views of the Remarkables

The view from the top of Queenstown Hill is pretty amazing. There are several little hills you can climb — it’s quite a big area and there didn’t seem to be one main viewpoint.

The Queenstown Hill Time Walk is renowned for having some of the best views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and it definitely lives up to the hype. Hiking to the summit requires a bit of effort but most people should be able to handle it. It took me just over two hours (including quite a long detour), so it won’t put too much of a dent in your day. If you’re after something a little more challenging you should check out the Ben Lomond Track — definitely the best views in Queenstown!

READ MORE: 15 of the Best Things to Do in Queenstown

 

Getting to the Queenstown Hill Track

The start of the track is located on Belfast Terrace. Turn onto Dublin street from the main road into Queenstown, then Edinburgh Terrace and then onto Belfast Terrace. It’s easy to find and you could walk from the centre of town if you had to.

Are you planning a trip to Queenstown? Check out our Queenstown travel guide for lots of information!

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Jon Algie

I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. I left the island in 2006 and returned 10 years later. Having seen a good chunk of the world I realised how special this place is -- the most beautiful island in the world! Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island.