One of the most popular hikes around Queenstown and honestly, it makes sense, the views from the top are unreal. But because it’s so close to town, expect a pretty packed trail, especially in summer.

Most people take the Skyline Gondola up to the main trail start, which saves a chunk of the climb. It costs $66 for an adult and runs from 9:30am to 8pm. If you’re not keen on spending the cash, you can walk up like I did  though in full honesty, I wouldn’t recommend the route I took. I started from Thompson Street and joined the One Mile Track. It was super confusing to navigate, the car park situation was a bit of a mess, and the track weaves through a mountain biking area so it doesn’t feel the safest for hikers.

From where I started, it was 14km return with 1,330m of elevation. If you start from the top of the gondola, it’s about 10.8km return with 1,000m of elevation gain. There are a few different route options on AllTrails if you want to explore others.

The first section up to the saddle is steady going and manageable, but the final kilometre to the summit gets steep and rocky, a bit of scrambling is involved. But the views over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and all the surrounding peaks are wild. It’s proper Southern Alps magic.

Definitely start early if you can, bring layers (the wind up top is no joke), and pack snacks for a chill at the summit. Even with the crowds, this one is worth the climb.