Top 15 Hiking & Trekking in Queenstown

1.Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek (Intermediate level+)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 269 reviews · from $433Our pick

Ride Central Otago’s high country, cross the Cardrona River, canter through gold-rush country, and stop for a drink at the historic Cardrona Hotel.

“What an amazing ride. Our guide Summer managed a group of 6 whose riding skills ranged from none to experienced. She did a great job of keeping us together while telling us of the history of the area. Due to our group skill (or lack thereoRead more”

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2.Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $309

Ride through Cardrona’s gold-rush country, cross streams, climb mountain tracks, and enjoy Lake Wānaka views on a small-group horse trek.

“The host and guide were very nice. The trip couldn’t been great without the unique experience we’d enjoyed.”

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3.Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $142Best value

Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, enjoy tea at Walter Peak, then take a gentle guided horse ride with Remarkables views.

“We had a lovely ride, the views were amazing and Izzy was awesome. Very friendly. Hotshot was the best.”

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4.Milford Track: Full Day Guided Hike and Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 70 reviews · 7 hours · from $215

Walk the Milford Track to Giant Gate Waterfall, then cruise Milford Sound by small boat with guides, wildlife views, and practical planning advice.

“Ben was a wonderful guide, very insightful and helpful. Learnt about the region and wouldn’t have been able to appreciate it as much as we did without his knowledge. Thanks for a fabulous day!! Highly recommend!!”

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5.Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $1,178

Review of the Tasman Glacier heli-hike from Queenstown, with scenic flights, ice caves, practical tips, pricing, and booking advice.

“We were extremely lucky with the weather and the activity developed perfectly. Our pilot from Queenstown to Tasman Glacier base and return was James and he is an absolute legend!! He is very knowledgeable and friendly. Then our two guides at the Glacier, Sam and Chris, were amazing. They took care of us making sure we were stepping on the right spots and they also took us to really cool caves (as they knew the glacier very well). Highly recommend this trip!”

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6.Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $750

Review of Queenstown’s Mt Cook heli hike tour, with Tasman Glacier flights, glacier walking, scenic stops, costs, weather risks, and booking advice.

“I think the trip was very meaningful, met a lot of new friends, the guides were very professional and humorous, everything was good”

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7.Milford Track Multi-Night Hike – Water Taxi Transport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $152

Review the Milford Track water taxi from Te Anau Downs, including timing, group size, price, route details, value, and booking tips.

“Excellent water taxi service, comfortable boats which were on time. Plenty of time to relax at first Milford Track hut when using the 2pm shuttle. Great communication. We also booked car relocation through them (using Easy Hike), which was seemless service too.”

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8.Golden Hills Horse Trek in Central Otago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · from $142

Ride through Central Otago orchards and hills on a gentle two-hour trek with mountain views, friendly guides, and well-trained horses.

“💯 an amazing horse riding experience. If you have the opportunity it is worth the drive out. Karolin Is educated and is the sweetest. She made everyone feel comfortable and enjoyed the experience. All the horses are beautiful especially Alex ❤️”

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9.Guided Kepler Track Heli Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $474

Ride a helicopter to Luxmore Hut, hike alpine country and beech forest, then return to Te Anau by water taxi on this 7-hour Kepler Track tour.

“Fantastic guided hike on part of the Kepler track (about nine miles or 14 km total) with great views”

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10.Routeburn Track Guided Hike (Full Day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $257

Hike the Routeburn Track from Queenstown with a guide, lunch, snacks, hotel pickup, alpine views, waterfalls, and a 22-kilometre challenge.

“Well experienced guide, friendly group of people, breathtaking view, amazing experience for beginner”

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11.Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $353

Fly over Mt. Aspiring, hike the Siberia Valley, and race back by jet boat on a memorable half-day wilderness trip from Wanaka.

“Outstanding experience. The perfect weather made the plane flight epic. The hike was a very doable 4.5mi hike along the water and some in the woods. Crossing the river was FREEZING on the feet. Having the water booties they provided Read more”

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12.Franz Josef Glacier Hike & Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 6h 30m · from $1,015

Fly from Queenstown to Franz Josef, land on a glacier, and hike through ice caves with guides and specialist gear included.

“A dream come to true to tick off my bucket list as a solo traveller! I met friends and shared the experience. Beautiful majestic scenery displayed and interpreted well. Friendly staff and knowledgeable on safety who took a respectful interest. Safe flights in plane and helicopter. I loved it and would recommend it it to people who are injury free and with a good fitness level. Especially those who like day or afternoon hikes already.”

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13.Fiordland Heli-hike from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $286

Fly over Lake Te Anau, land near Luxmore Hut, hike the Kepler Track, and return by water taxi on this Fiordland adventure.

“Great communication, great pilot, great views and a lot of fun. Highly recommended. I can't say enough great things about how well the company is run and how much we enjoyed the day.”

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14.Full Day Kepler Track Guided Heli-Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 8 hours · from $457

Fly to Mount Luxmore, hike the Kepler Track through alpine fields and beech forest, then cross Lake Te Anau by water taxi.

“Our Hostess Michelle was AMAZING! Her knowledge and love of the earth made every moment a gift, and her passion was magical!!!! Truly a shining moment in our lives that spanned continents and generations, a memory to last a lifetime!”

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15.Wānaka: Heli Siberia – Helicopter Flight, Hike & Jet Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4 reviews · 5 hours · from $415

Fly over Mount Aspiring, hike the Siberia Valley, and speed along the Wilkin River on a five-hour wilderness adventure from Wānaka.

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