Queenstown trail runners are spoilt for choice on which tracks they want to explore on any given day. It’s one of the reasons I decided to live here.
If you’re looking for a trail run in Queenstown, these are five that I always enjoy.
They were pretty hard to choose and there are endless possibilities once you start linking up the Queenstown tracks.
So I chose ones of varying distances and elevation profiles. They all have epic views of course! And two of them feature my favourite ridgelines in Queenstown (options #1 & #2).
Note: If you’ve got any questions about where to run in Queenstown or want to see if I’m keen to join you for a run (or you join me), send me a message on Instagram or via WhatsApp (+64 20 4170 2764).
QUEENSTOWN TRAIL RUNNING: 5 OF THE BEST ROUTES
1. THE BEN LOMOND TRACK, HOW GOOD!
- Distance: ~15km
- Elevation: ~1500 metres
- Download the GPX File here
If you’ve run Roys Peak before, you’re going to love running up the Ben Lomond Track…it’s way better. There are various starting points, but the most popular option starts from the bottom of the Tiki Trail.
It’s a steep technical climb up to Skyline (where the gondola goes too). Navigating through Skyline you’ll soon be off the pavement again and you’ve got well maintained tracks from here up to the saddle.
There’s a few genuinely runnable sections through here, but it’s going to be a power hike for ost of you.
Luckily the views are sweet, and looking up at the summit is awesome…and somewhat intimidating.
After the saddle, you’ve got a steep push up to the summit on some technical terrain. Again, most of this is going to be a hike until you get to the last few hundred metres. Enjoy the views from the summit! SO GOOD.
The descent is much faster, but I would suggest taking it easy on the first part own to the saddle. On your return journey, veer left when you get to the DOC sign that says it’s 3km to the summit.
You’ll follow an amazing ridgeline that takes you back to Skyline via Jans Peak. It’s more technical than following the DOC track all the way back you came, but won’t take much longer.
READ MORE ABOUT THE BEN LOMOND TRACK HERE
2. BROW PEAK FOR RIDGELINE FUN & SWEET VIEWS
- Distance: ~26km
- Elevation: ~1600 metres
- Download the GPX File here
There are a few ways you can reach Brow Peak from Arrowtown, but for me the best option is to go via Big Hill and finish at the Coronet Car Park. You’ll get to see some of the awesome trails in Arrowtown, get views from Big Hill, then you get to have an awesome run along the ridgeline to Brow Peak right through to Coronet.
And yes, a lot of the ridgeline is runnable.
The views are awesome, and you’ll get to see a lot of backcountry where you can plan future missions.
The only downside to this is you’ll need to organise transport, or hitch a ride from the Coronet Car Park…or run down the road to Arthurs Point. The hassle is worth it.
READ MORE ABOUT BROW PEAK HERE
3. THE MAGICAL BOB’S COVE TRACK
- Distance: ~3.7km
- Elevation: ~100 metres
Bob’s Cove is a magical spot on the road between Queenstown and Glenorchy. The run from the car park to the viewpoint over Bob’s Cove is short, but you can make the run longer if you add on some kilometres towards 12 Mile Delta.
After a short section through the forest, you’ll emerge on the coastline where you might feel the urge to stop. But keep going!
Follow the track to the viewpoint where you get a nifty viw over the cove, and if you’re there on a blue sky day it does feel tropical. The aerial view photo above is looking down at Bobs Cove on a scenic flight from Milford Sound.
On the way back you can launch off the jetty to cool down then relax on the beach.
READ MORE ABOUT BOBS COVE HERE
4. THE CHILL SUNSHINE BAY TRACK
- Distance: ~8km
- Elevation: ~110 metres
- Download the GPX File here
Around Queenstown it’s can be hard to find trails that don’t feature any big climbs. That’s what makes the Sunshine Bay Track great.
From the Four Square in town, you’ll spend about 3 of the 8 kilometres on pavement, but the rest of the track is great. There’s some undulations to keep you honest, but it’s all runnabe.
You get some nice views on the way in addition to feeling like you’re well away from Queenstown. If you’ve got family with you on a holiday, consider getting them to meet you at Sunshine Bay…a beautiful beach in Queenstown that rarely gets busy.
READ MORE ABOUT THE SUNSHINE BAY TRACK HERE
5. MOONLIGHT TRACK: A GREAT 35KM LOOP FROM QUEENSTOWN
- Distance: ~35km
- Elevation: ~1000 metres
- Download the GPX File here
If you’re after a long run that’ll take you a few hours, doesn’t involve any travel from Queenstown and takes you off the beaten path, this Moonlight Circuit is what you’re looking for.
You can run it in either direction, but I usually prefer running via Sunshine Bay to start. That leaves a chill 5km descent down to Queenstown at the end.
This loop lets you experience the Sunshine Bay Track, a chance to see Moke Lake, and more. Yes, there is some road running on the route, but you can avoid some of that.
Once you pass Moke Lake you’ll need to navigate through to the 4WD track where you’ll be able to run a lot of this section, while also getting in some good elevation gain. Around the back of Ben Lomond you get epic views right through until you get into the back of Arthurs Point.
There’s a trail beside the road between Arthurs Point and Queenstown, but if you time things right and aren’t feeling like the last 5km is going to benefit you, you can catch the bus. Put a few dollars or your Bee Card in your pack 😉
READ MORE ABOUT THE MOONLIGHT TRACK HERE
If you have any questions about the Queenstown running trails feel free to leave a comment below or email jub@churnewzealand.com. And you’re welcome to join me for a run if you like (or vice-versa).
p.s. If you’re looking for some awesome trail running events in and around Queenstown, here’s a couple of options:
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.