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The Fernhill Loop Track is one of the most easily accessible day-hikes in Queenstown. Since it is much less popular than many others, the Fernhill Loop Track offers a quiet track that climbs up over 900m to a viewpoint over Lake Wakatipu.
We hiked the Fernhill Loop just the other day and have a lot of important information and tips to share!
The Fernhill Loop Track
This afternoon we decided to explore our own backyard and hike the Fernhill Loop Track. The Fernhill Loop Track climbs up the mountain behind the suburb of Fernhill (just five minutes outside of Queenstown) offering views of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables mountain range, as well as Ben Lomond mountain.
There are many great day hikes around Queenstown and we had heard so many amazing things about the more popular Queenstown Hill or Ben Lomond Trail. However, we had never heard of anyone hiking the Fernhill Loop.
The only reason we even knew about it was that we saw signs near our house pointing to the track. So, being curious we decided to check it out for ourselves – and we are so glad we did! It was both challenging and fun and we enjoyed this very peaceful trail!
This blog includes everything you need to know about hiking the Fernhill Loop Track.
Related Read: One of the most scenic road trips you can take in New Zealand is the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy.
How Long is the Fernhill Loop Hike?
The Fernhill Loop Track is an 8-kilometer (5 miles) return trail. The trail is a loop so you do not hike back in the direction you came which I love!
There are parts of the trail that are quite steep and therefore the amount of time it takes largely depends on your fitness level. These times can range anywhere from 2 to 4 hours return.
How Difficult is the Fernhill Loop Track?
It isn’t easy – like I anticipated it to be. The western part of the Fernhill Loop Track is essentially all uphill. Steep switchbacks climb the 3.5 km (2.2 mi) to the summit.
This part was hard and in some areas very steep. The ground was soft (we hiked in winter) so sometimes as you stepped rocks would slide from underneath you making it challenging to make progress.
Tip: We recommend hiking up the west side (left side facing the track from the lake) and walking down the east. This is because the steep areas on the west would be much more difficult on the way down.
At the summit, the lack of tree cover makes the trail challenging in winter. Snow and ice cover the ground and we found ourselves slipping and sliding a lot. It would be a great idea to use crampons if there is lots of snow!
The east portion of the loop is much easier, but it is longer. The trail is flat for a large portion and only slowly declines (until the very end on the One Mile Track where it becomes quite steep.)
The Fernhill Loop isn’t the longest hike, even with us taking our time it only took 2.5 hours. However, it isn’t easy either. I didn’t realize that you climb almost as high as the Ben Lomond track saddle.
Dangers and Safety
The track is mostly maintained, but as I said, there are parts with lots of loose rock so be careful!
In the winter the ice and snow at the summit can be very slippery. It is recommended to hike with crampons.
For the latest in track and weather conditions, contact the DOC in Queenstown.
There are various areas of the track that cross mountain bike trails. These mountain bike riders come speeding downhill and don’t have the ability to stop quickly. So always be aware, listen for anyone coming, and stay off the bike trails wherever possible – they are signposted.
The Route to the Top of Fernhill Loop Track
The Fernhill Loop Track’s western side starts in Fernhill either at the park on Fernhill Road or on Wynyard Crescent. The east side of the loop starts from the One Mile Track which can be accessed from the Queenstown Power Station or by walking towards Queenstown from Fernhill.
To reach it, walk down the road that runs along Lake Wakatipu towards Fernhill. As you reach the end of this road you will see a roundabout (traffic circle). If you look to your right at the roundabout you will see a track that leads uphill. from here you can find the trail.
The Fernhill Loop Track isn’t marked very well at the beginning or end as there are many other tracks that it crosses (including mountain bike tracks.) It is hard to know which way to go with so many different paths to choose from!
My best advice to you before tackling the Fernhill Loop Track is to ensure you have your phone with you and the app Maps.Me downloaded. This app clearly shows the Fernhill Loop Track and will help you know where you are and where you need to go. Without this app, we never would have been able to find the track or stay on it for that matter.
What We Thought of the Fernhill Loop Track
To be 100% honest, it wasn’t our favorite of the hikes we’ve done so far around Queenstown. Regardless, the summit offered awesome views, but I did not think the views compared to that of Ben Lomond or Queenstown Hill.
Related Read: After a long day hiking you may want to choose where to eat from our best restaurants in Queenstown list.
Fernhill Loop Track to Ben Lomond
Once we reached the Fernhill Loop summit we could easily see that we could join the Ben Lomond Track. This is super cool as one could join the Fernhill Loop with Ben Lomond and then the Tiki Trail – three hikes in one!
We plan to give this a try next time. We will start in Fernhill, walk up the west side of the Fernhill Loop, connect with the Ben Lomond Track, summit Ben Lomond, and walk back down Ben Lomond to the Tiki Trail and then end in Queenstown! It sounds like a great hike to me!
Our Tips for Hiking the Fernhill Loop
- Wear waterproof footwear – There are lots of puddles and creek crossings along the way. In the middle of summer, don’t worry about this too much though.
- Wear crampons in winter – The ice and snow was slippery and dangerous to walk on.
- Download the app Maps.Me prior to leaving – Finding the trail and staying on it is confusing. You even walk through the middle of a mountain bike park! This app will make sure you know where to go at all times.
- Consider walking up the east side of the track (the side closest to Queenstown) – The east side of the loop is considerably more flat with a gradual incline as opposed to the west side which is a steep climb to the top. Just be aware the steep route down can be more dangerous.
Other Activities to do While You’re in Queenstown
Aside from hiking, there are lots of other inexpensive and free things to do in and around Queenstown. However, if you don’t mind spending a little money, check out some of my favorite Queenstown activities below!
- Visit Milford Sound – One of the most scenic places in New Zealand is Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. To see it, book this Full-Day Milford Sound Experience which includes a scenic drive stopping at many of the best lakes, valleys, and tunnels before embarking on a 2-hour cruise through the fiords and waterfalls in Milford Sound. It will be a full day, but it’s an unforgettable experience!
- Ride the gondola – The gondola in Queenstown is an iconic activity that takes you up the side of a mountain to Bob’s Peak high above Queenstown. The view is insane, especially if you stay for sunset. And at the top of the gondola, you’ll also find the Luge, a unique go-cart-like experience that’s powered by gravity. I recommend buying combo tickets for the gondola AND the Luge!
- Visit a sheep farm – New Zealand has more sheep than people, so you must visit a sheep farm while here! But hey, why not do it in style? This Walter Peak Farm Tour includes a cruise in a vintage steamship to this picturesque seaside farm. Once there, you’ll enjoy a tasty meal of high-end barbequed meats or seafood- buffet style. Cap things off with the choice of desserts and cheeses. Afterward, you’ll watch a sheep shearing demonstration or a sheepdog show.
- Go bar hopping – There are some awesome bars in Queenstown’s small town center, from the humble tradies bar to more extravagant and luxurious ones. Smiths Craft Beer House is one of my favorite places to go when I want to try some new beers. 1876 has a lovely patio on a nice day and Cowboys is a fun place to party!
- Take a scenic food and wine tour – The Queenstown area is a foodie heaven, with incredible wine and cuisine that you just have to try. And on this day tour, you’ll sip wine from New Zealand’s largest wine cave, be served a gourmet lunch, and indulge in local cheeses – all with an epic view to boot!
- Go ziplining – If you love a good adrenaline rush like me, you’ll enjoy this zipline over Lake Wakatipu and the snow-capped Southern Alps. You can pick from 3 height options depending on how daring you’d like to be. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be flying high over incredible scenery!
Where to Stay in Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is filled with amazing things to do but also awesome places to stay! One thing about Queenstown, though, is that if you don’t book in advance, you’ll miss out on the best places (and the best prices!). So to help you out, we’ve compiled this list of our top hotels in Queenstown for all budget types.
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa – $$$
Bailey and I spent our anniversary at the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa and really loved our stay. It’s located a little out of town but they run a free shuttle every 30 minutes. The place has an indoor pool, full spa, and an onsite bar/restaurant where we watched the sunset over the lake. The rooms are beautiful in classic Hilton-style with comfy king-sized beds and bathtubs. Suites even come with fireplaces.
To me, it’s great value starting at $225 NZD per night. You’ll find the best deals when you book in advance on Booking.com.
Melbourne Lodge – $$
The Melbourne Lodge is a gorgeous hotel just a 5-minute walk to downtown. But what I love about this place is it sits on the end of Queenstown near the airport meaning that you never have to drive through town to visit the ski fields or many major attractions, saving you time. It has everything from budget rooms to self-contained apartments. From their guest lounge and deck, you also get a view of the bay and gondola.
Rooms here can be as little as $130 NZD per night! Check out prices and book your stay online here.
The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers – $
The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers was the first place I ever stayed in Queenstown. It’s a great budget backpacker hostel with a very social vibe. The beds are comfy and come with a privacy curtain, and there’s also a shared lounge, kitchen, barbecue, laundry facilities, and free onsite parking. The building is kind of old but is kept quite clean. Dorm beds here start at $55 NZD per night.
You can book The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.
For even more options, check out our guide on where to stay in Queenstown. We break down the best areas and provide hotel recommendations for each.
Note: When booking hotels we always use Booking.com. The reason? They are almost always cheaper (we have booked over 250 hotels with them) and if you find a better price they’ll match it guaranteed – even if it’s a special on their own website!
Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand
The first step to planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Most people rent a campervan or motorhome to get around, but you can also just rent a normal car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping.)
You can search for rental cars online with Discover Cars in advance to compare car models and prices. We’ve used this website all over the world and if you want more details, read our honest review of Discover Cars for more details!
You can also do this with motorhomes and campervans on a website called Motorhome Republic. It shows all of the available campervans and motorhomes for your specific New Zealand road trip dates. You can compare prices and company reviews here too!
JUCY is our personal favorite campervan rental company in NZ. We love JUCY because they have such a range of both cars and campervans available, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something to suit your budget and travel style.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! What a good deal!
You can check prices, availability and book with JUCY online here.
Star RV is another company we personally recommend but specifically for motorhomes! They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates.
Star RV has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off your motorhome rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Note: For both Star RV and JUCY, no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Thanks for reading!
Overall, the Fernhill Loop Track wasn’t our favorite hike and won’t be one we do over and over again. But, it was still fun to explore a lesser-known hike for ourselves and put some information about it out there!
If you have any questions or comments then leave them in the comments section below and we will get back to you. If not then check out all our New Zealand blogs or some of our other posts on Queenstown here or keep reading from our popular posts below!
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