Ben Lomond is any hiker's dream climb. Setting off at dawn you will rise up the slopes and be rewarded with breathtaking views across infamous New Zealand landscapes. Before you hit the trail though, you may have a few questions, so we have compiled some of the most frequently asked so you feel completely prepared to take on this beautiful journey to the top of the world.
How long does it take to walk up and down Ben Lomond?
The Ben Lomond hike is a wonderful trail that will take you from Queenstown, up along the Tiki trail, along the Ben Lomond Saddle right up to Ben Lomond Summit.
The hike is challenging and will take around 6 to 8 hours.
One of the best things about the Ben Lomond Track is that it’s so easily accessible for hikers. The start of the track is just outside of Queenstown town centre, so you don’t even have to go very far out of your way to do the hike as you do with some of New Zealand’s Great Walks.
The full hike will take you approximately 6 to 8 hours and has an incline the entire way. So, prepare to be challenged and feel those calves and thighs burn when you reach the very top.
- Distance: 11 km (Including return)
- Elevation: 1748m or 1403m climb
- Duration: 6 to 8 hours to the Ben Lomond Summit
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Best time of year to go: From October to May
Why is it called Ben Lomond?
Ben Lomond is a mountain located close to Queenstown, New Zealand, and was named after Ben Lomond that is in Scotland by the early shepherd named Duncan McAusland.
Ben Lomond actually means The Beacon Mountain. It goes all the way back to the middle of the first millennium, to a time when the Gaelic language and culture were still confined largely to the western seaboard of what would later become Scotland, and when people of Loch Lomond and Clyde spoke a language similar to a now modern Welsh.
What time of year should I climb Ben Lomond?
The Ben Lomond summit is recommended to be climbed during the summer months.
In winter you are will be required to carry and also be able to use alpine equipment including instruments such as an ice axe and crampons. This is because the track may change with snow and ice and can get very slippery and muddy.
For more information and up-to-date alerts about the Ben Lomond Track, access the official Department of Conservation website.
How difficult is the Ben Lomond?
The Ben Lomond trail can be accessed directly from Queenstown and the trail is around 14 km or 8.6 miles. It takes around 6 to 7 hours to complete the trail and it is medium to difficult. It requires a reasonable amount of fitness and you will need to do some pre-climb prep to ensure you are physically fit enough to complete the summit.
How far is Queenstown from Ben Lomond?
Ben Lomond is located near central Queenstown, and it has three access points to the track:
- the Tiki Trail starting next to the Skyline Gondola base station at the top of Brecon Street
- from One Mile Creek Track which starts at the Fern Hill roundabout
- either the top of Skyline Access Road or the bottom of it near Lomond Crescent.
What should I take when climbing Ben Lomond?
Be mindful that the weather can change when taking the climb which is why you need a full pack that covers you for all eventualities.
You should take:
- Food for the day - high energy boosts and then some good carbohydrates to keep you going.
- Plenty of water
- Some extra warm layers
- Waterproof layers
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
- A headtorch
- High top sturdy footwear
- A communication device just in case you need assistance
- A small emergency first aid kit
- Ice axe and crampons if climbing in the winter months.
