Hiking Otago – New Zealand’s region of adventure where most go to bungee jump, jet boat or skydive, but if you prefer to stick two feet in snow, mud and glacial waters, then this is the place for you!
The mountains of The Otago extend from the beautiful Mount Aspiring National Park to the wilderness of Glenorchy, right to the world renowned, The Remarkables.
The Otago Peninsula on the other hand is a haven for sea-life, epic landscapes and coastal farms where each turn you take, discoveries are before your eyes.
Endless walking tracks take you along steep cliff edges, across windy beaches and over rolling green hills and if you are lucky you will get to witness what the locals call a “Dunner Stunner” (stunning day in Dunedin).
Hiking in the Otago – My Local Guide
Time is something we wish we all had so if you are keen to head over to The Otago, you will need at least 2 weeks minimum to do a basic on-the-go trip, allowing for 2 days at each location.
However I recommend spending at least 1 month in the region to truly get the feel for this magical place.
Ben Lomond And Bowen Peak – Queenstown
If you fancy getting a taste for what the mountain life is about in New Zealand before venturing off to the more difficult trails, give the Ben Lomond Peak summit a go.
Sure it’s a popular walk for those not wanting to venture far from Queenstown, but it gives you an idea of your surrounds and why you are in New Zealand in the first place.
Getting There
From the CBD of Queenstown, make your way to the line of conifers where you can start the summit push from the gondola via the Tiki Trail or via the Gondola access road on Ben Lomond Crescent.
The entire walk is very well sign posted by The Department of Conservation, and tracks are well trodden.
The Hike
Firstly, you will need at least 2-3 litres of water for this hike and necessary snacks for that needed energy boost.
There are two options for this hike starting at the Tiki Trail near the skyline gondola or on Ben Lomond Crescent some 2 kilometres from the Tiki Trail.
Either way you end up at the same trail point leading to the Ben Lomond summit.
If you like a challenge and like to be different, there is a road leading to the take off point for para-gliders above the Skyline gondola to which connects to a narrow, slippery ridge mainly used by wild goats and the odd mountain biker. This also leads to the same intersection prior to the mountains saddle.
The…
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