Mt Crichton Loop Track
Mt Crichton Loop Track
Mt Crichton Loop Track
5
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5.0
116 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
24
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Paul507
Port Charlotte, FL263 contributions
Mar 2020
This is a trail hike not to be missed. There is one thing after the other on the trail that you will probably find fascinating like I did. For instance, you will come across an old mining sluice cut into the hill that looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. And that's not to mention the big payoff view at about the halfway point. I suggest crossing the bridge and going right to start off. You'll get the steepest part out of the way first and cruise home later.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nzp0ppy
New Zealand27,298 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We found this trail pretty average compared to other trails we have done in nz. it doesnt have amazing views. part of the trail was washed out. We way preferred the twelve mile delta to bobs cove walk and queenstown hill in the area.
Written 7 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ianbnet
Seattle, WA102 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
We really enjoyed this hike. In most of the reviews, I haven't seen much detail on the hike itself, so I thought I'd fill in some.
It's a 5-mile hike with ~800 feet of vertical. Took my wife and I about two hours, including a lunch stop, but we were moving pretty quickly. Moving clockwise around the loop, initially you climb along a river valley in pretty dense forest -- it is cool even on a hot day, and we saw lots of lovely little waterfalls. You pass through some cleared mining valleys, with signage pointing the way to interesting sights like a gold mining cave, before arriving at an old gold miner's hut in great condition. Very interesting.
The second half of the loop takes you up on an exposed ridge with excellent views of small mountain lakes and valleys, before descending back to the road.
Highly recommended. Bring lots of water. We also had plenty of bug spray, although the sand flys weren't that bad for us.
It's a 5-mile hike with ~800 feet of vertical. Took my wife and I about two hours, including a lunch stop, but we were moving pretty quickly. Moving clockwise around the loop, initially you climb along a river valley in pretty dense forest -- it is cool even on a hot day, and we saw lots of lovely little waterfalls. You pass through some cleared mining valleys, with signage pointing the way to interesting sights like a gold mining cave, before arriving at an old gold miner's hut in great condition. Very interesting.
The second half of the loop takes you up on an exposed ridge with excellent views of small mountain lakes and valleys, before descending back to the road.
Highly recommended. Bring lots of water. We also had plenty of bug spray, although the sand flys weren't that bad for us.
Written 11 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MartinB155181
Minato, Japan17 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Outstanding walk, even on a drizzly day. Drive along the road from Queenstown to Glenorchy. Go past the sign saying 'Twelve Mile Delta' and at 10.5km there is a carpark on the left labelled 'Mt Crichton Loop Track'. The walk is well sign-posted from here. Much of it is through mature beech forest, sometimes alongside fast-flowing streams with waterfalls. A leisurely vertical climb totals around 250m. Look out for a wide range of NZ ferns - Aspleniums, Blechnums, Hymenophyllums. Good fitness not really required, nor special hiking footwear. Allow 2-3 hours.
Written 19 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crispian Radburnd
Peregian Springs, Australia4 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This walk is a local secret recommended to us while staying in Queenstown during April 2019. Starting from the carpark near Bob's Cove, you cross over the road and begin the loop. We recommend going clockwise for the best experience.
This is a hilly walk, but not too difficult and we managed the whole track in 3 hours which included plenty of time stopping to take photos, and 30 minutes having a picnic on the bench overlooking lake dispute and across to lake Wakitipu.
This is a hilly walk, but not too difficult and we managed the whole track in 3 hours which included plenty of time stopping to take photos, and 30 minutes having a picnic on the bench overlooking lake dispute and across to lake Wakitipu.
Written 28 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin M
Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland40 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
There’s much discussion about the “best“ way to do this circular walk – but I’m not sure it makes a huge difference. If you go anticlockwise, the track starts fairly steep for a while before levelling off, and towards the end, the path has a gentler descent. If you prefer to start gently, clockwise may suit you better, but the end is tougher on the knees. Whichever direction you take, the middle section has some ups & downs, hence my comment on it making little difference. If you’re planning picnic, the only bench we saw (with a view) is about a third of the way round going anti clockwise - so perhaps the timing of lunch helps you decide direction
The walk is largely through forest so don’t go expecting a constant supply of great views (though there are some) but those trees meant a beautiful light and plenty of shade (even at Midday in early March). For added interest, we saw plenty of interesting red mushrooms plus several waterfalls. The track takes you past Sam Summers Hut which is an was an interesting place to visit – VERY basic, but it’s even possible to stay overnight
The walk offers a nice optional detour through a narrow channel cut by the early goldminers – it IS narrow, but it’s short and not too dark so easy enough to get through. Beyond, there’s a pathway down to the river – looks nice from above, but I’m told it's a favourite hangout for sand-flies so gave the river a miss
The walk is largely through forest so don’t go expecting a constant supply of great views (though there are some) but those trees meant a beautiful light and plenty of shade (even at Midday in early March). For added interest, we saw plenty of interesting red mushrooms plus several waterfalls. The track takes you past Sam Summers Hut which is an was an interesting place to visit – VERY basic, but it’s even possible to stay overnight
The walk offers a nice optional detour through a narrow channel cut by the early goldminers – it IS narrow, but it’s short and not too dark so easy enough to get through. Beyond, there’s a pathway down to the river – looks nice from above, but I’m told it's a favourite hangout for sand-flies so gave the river a miss
Written 30 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robp26
sydney61 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
We loved this walk, particularly the up section. We did it clockwise which I'd recommend as you climb up and up and then emerge after an hour and a bit at thew most beautiful view of the lake. From there its half an hour all downhill and not as interesting. But on the way up you also see lots of mining history including a hut where someone lived which is cool. there is a bathroom after 45 mins at the hut.
Written 3 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sushgrl
Colorado Springs, CO21 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
This is a fairly easy track with an easy incline. It took us 2.5 hours to complete the track with a slight 1/2 hour diversion off track. The fern & pine forest trail takes you on a path that crosses some breath taking views of snow capped mountains, waterfalls and the lake.
Written 16 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin H
19 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
We are husband and wife, 71 and 70 respectively. We regularly walk 5 or 6kms when at home but on mostly level ground so we are not fitness fanatics or used to uphill hikes. Without any preparation I think we would find this a pretty tough hike but we built up to it by doing some of the easier undulating trails around Queenstown before we tackled Mt. Crichton loop.
We managed it in 2 hours 45 minutes, including stops for photos, gawking, hydration and to have the sandwich we had brought with us.
We really enjoyed the hike which has good variety of forest, streams, waterfall and evidence of the mining history and some great views down over Lake Dispute and on to Lake Wakatipu.
We did the walk clockwise which we were pleased about as the steeper bits climb up and there is a more even slope on the way down on the other side of the loop. We use trekking poles which we find helpful particularly being supportive of older knees coming down.
We had put on protection against sandflies and were very glad we did as there seemed to be a lot of them around Sam's hut where there is a dry toilet which maybe attracts them.
We will be doing it again and recommend it, even to those over 70.
We managed it in 2 hours 45 minutes, including stops for photos, gawking, hydration and to have the sandwich we had brought with us.
We really enjoyed the hike which has good variety of forest, streams, waterfall and evidence of the mining history and some great views down over Lake Dispute and on to Lake Wakatipu.
We did the walk clockwise which we were pleased about as the steeper bits climb up and there is a more even slope on the way down on the other side of the loop. We use trekking poles which we find helpful particularly being supportive of older knees coming down.
We had put on protection against sandflies and were very glad we did as there seemed to be a lot of them around Sam's hut where there is a dry toilet which maybe attracts them.
We will be doing it again and recommend it, even to those over 70.
Written 25 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ah-nook
44 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
This is a great loop trial, mostly in the woods, so if you need a break from the strong southern sun, this fits the bill. I suggest that when you get to the fork in the trail, you go to the right (i.e., counterclockwise); the ascent that way is clearly easier than it would be going clockwise. (Another reviewer here suggested this; we took his advice, and he was right.)
Written 29 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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