Coronet Loop Mountain Biking Route

31.0 miles

Distance

5,411 ft

Climb

-5,430 ft

Descent

3,035 ft

High Point

-18 ft

Altitude change

1,339 ft

Altitude min

1,366 ft

Altitude start

1,348 ft

Altitude end

-80.5%

Grade max

85.2%

Grade min

14 miles

Distance climb

15 miles

Distance down

2 miles

Distance flat

NOTE the Pack, Track and Sack is a Grade 4 with some steep rock drops. To bypass the technical challenges, take the Skippers Pack Track, or follow the Skippers Road before joining the climb to the Greengate Saddle.

The Coronet Loop trail begins in Arrowtown at Butler’s Green, adjacent to the historic Chinese Settlement by the Arrow River. Whilst the trail can be ridden in either direction, we think it rides best in a clockwise direction, so start by heading up Bush Creek. The new bridges and repairs made in 2021 have made this a great climbing track which passes through native beech forest and towering schist bluffs. This is a two-way track and popular with walkers, so keep an eye out for downhill riders and hikers.

At the head of Bush Creek, the trail continues along the Coronet Face Water Race, which was the first part of the loop to be developed and was opened by the Queenstown Trails Trust and Soho Property in 2018. The Water Race weaves along the front face of Coronet Peak through remnant Beech Forest, passing old sections of flume pipe and the site of the old Racemans Hut at Station Creek. The race was developed in the goldrush era, with water taken from McMullen and Station Creeks being channelled all the way across the front face of Mt Dewar to sluice the Shotover faces at Arthurs Point. Work will soon begin on a restoration of the Racemans hut chimney to ensure it is there for generations to come. This marks a great place to pause and enjoy the view across the Wakatipu basin.

The connector trail climbs up and over into Skippers Canyon on the excellent Tradesmans and Pack, Track and Sack trails. These trails had a recent makeover from the QMTBC and the descent into Long Gully is a real highlight of the circuit. *NOTE the Pack, Track and Sack is a Grade 4 with some steep rock drops. To bypass the technical challenges, take the Skippers Pack Track, or follow the Skippers Road before joining the climb to the Greengate Saddle.

At Baldersons Hut, a right-hand turn enters the Loop proper and climbs to Greengates saddle. From the saddle a flowing downhill follows the historic pack track, past the historic Greengates Hut before it opens out high above Deep Creek overlooking the remains of the Old Greengates Hotel.

The Loop then continues upstream, over Picnic Rock with its amazing vistas before a long steady descent into Deep Creek, passing a couple of spectacular waterfalls on the way to the Golden Terraces visible in the distance. The track sidles in and out of the Creek and up the ‘Willows Climb’ before crossing Parkers Creek and emerging onto the high plateau of Golden Terraces. This section gives a stunning backcountry experience, linking sections of old pack track and passing old mining ruins as it weaves between the bluffs.

The terrain eases up a little before the Eight Mile saddle and passes beneath the Coronet Saddle Turk which is the final hut on the Mahu Whenua Traverse. After the descent to Eight Mile Creek (aka Coronet Creek), the trail follows an old miners track down the true right to join the Macetown Rd. The miners track here is narrow and exposed (Grade 4), and less confident riders can walk this section, or follow the Macetown Rd, but be prepared to get wet as the road criss-crosses the Arrow River.

The track continues on the Macetown 4WD road along the Arrow River. After the Norman Spencer bridge, there are a set of steep stairs to climb with some narrow sections before the track levels off to return you back at Butler’s Green in Arrowtown.

source: Queenstown Trails Trust

Detailed Description

Coronet Loop is a 31 mile popular intermediate route located near Queenstown. This mountain bike primary route can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 3 trails. This route climbs 5,411 ft with a max elevation of 3,035 ft then descends -5,430 ft.

Trail Issues on Route

Closed: 3 trails (newest: Sep 1, 2026)

Local Trail Association

Queenstown Trails (queenstowntrails.org.nz)

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Stats

Distance

31 miles
Avg time

6 hr 56 min
Altitude min

1,339 ft
Altitude start

1,366 ft
Altitude end

1,348 ft
Climb

1 mile
Descent

-5,430 ft
Grade max

-80.5%
Grade min

85.2%
Distance climb

14 miles
Distance down

15 miles
Distance flat

2 miles

18 Reviews & Comments

Score Time Route Post Comment

Jratcliffe57 Jan 30, 2025 at 9:29

one of the more beautiful and adventuresome rides i've ever done. will do it again in a heartbeat if I'm ever back.

GrahamPudney Feb 3, 2023 at 10:23

Completed this in Feb 2023 in an E-bike. 4 hours of ride time but took 5 hours due to stopping for photos, looking at stuff of interest and food water etc.
My Levo has the 500 Ah battery. It was flat with about 10km to go but it was mostly down hill. I used it sparingly and off for a lot of the ride. A 700Ah battery, or a spare is what you will need to complete this loop without having to push on the hills in the last bit.
The 10km before you get to the Macetown 4x4 track goes on forever! You think you are nearly there but it just keeps going. Not good for range anxiety on an e-bike!
I took 3L of water and had to refill from a fast flowing side creak out the back section, but there is plenty of safe streams and creaks as there is no stock out there. Water was better than town water!

gustavosouza Jan 1, 2023 at 22:38

did it today clockwise in 5h40min. very dry at the moment and some loose sections. be prepared for some steep hills. bush Creek hill in the start was a shock to the system. had to warm up first spectacular scenery.

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Trails in Route

	Bush Creek				4 miles
	Coronet Water Race Connector				1 mile
	Tradesmans				1,778 ft

Details

Riding area

Arrowtown Trails
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Other Activities
- Gravel Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
Difficulty rating

Blue
Route Type

Loop
Bikepacking

Yes
Bike type

AM, XC, Gravel
Direction

Both Directions
Physical rating

Moderate

trail	date	description
Bush Creek	Sep 2, 2026 @ 3:36pm (Pacific/Auckland) Sep 1, 2026	Multiple slips (still moving), washouts and rockfall. Will need time to settle and clear once an excavator is established on site. Please avoid using the trail and crossing unstable ground until repairs can be carried out.
Tradesmans	May 31, 2026 @ 5:30pm (Pacific/Auckland) May 30, 2026	Closed for Winter! Please keep off the trail to prevent damage. Will let you know when it's back open in Spring!
Coronet Water Race Connector	May 31, 2026 @ 5:30pm (Pacific/Auckland) May 30, 2026	Closed for Winter! Please keep off the trail to prevent damage. Will let you know when it's back open in Spring!

Coronet Loop route

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Coronet Loop route

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18 Reviews & Comments

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