more stats
4.9 miles
Distance
1,636 ft
Climb
-1,611 ft
Descent
01:00:26
Avg time
25 ft
Altitude change
1,615 ft
Altitude min
3,061 ft
Altitude max
1,615 ft
Altitude start
1,640 ft
Altitude end
0.1%
Grade
-83.4%
Grade max
56.3%
Grade min
3 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
1,946 ft
Distance flat
01:00:26
Avg time

Fernhill Loop Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Fernhill Trails
    Queenstown
  • Difficulty Rating
    Advanced Rate
  • Local Popularity
    70 in Mountain Biking heatmap [+]
    • 70 in E-Biking
    • 50 in Trail Running
    • 80 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #74710 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #48167 in E-Biking
    • #302408 in Trail Running
    • #120856 in Hiking
  • National Ranking
    #1,655 in Mountain Biking · New Zealand [+]
    • #1,215 in E-Biking
    • #3,707 in Trail Running
    • #1,700 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T3 Demanding Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Trail Visibility
    Sometimes hard to follow
  • Season
    All year
  • Alpine Trail
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop, Jump, Rock Garden
  • Year Opened
    1990
  • Land Owner
    QLDC

A classic Queenstown trail chock full of gnarly roots that started life as a DOC (govt) track, was shunted by DOC to the QLDC (local council) who the ignored it for a couple of years and closed it. Now licensed to QMTBC who will upgrade, extend and maintain it.
The west (Fernhill) side climb from the Wynyard bike park is a great way to access the McNearlyGnarly jump trail. The East (bike park) side has a great descent that links into Squid Run and there are awesome views from the top if you continue past the treeline where Beech As exits has a fantastic backcounty feel just minutes from the town center.

Access Info

Access from Wynyard Bike Park where the first 1.4km are nice and easy up to McNearlyGnarly but its gets steeper up until you get to the open to visit McGazzas bench and you'll have to push for about 30 mins. Also accessed via Beeched As where you can choose to descend the East side 'roots' into Squid Run or carry on round to Mcgazzas bench and down the west side to McNearlyGnarly

Disclaimer

Shared use track so be aware of walkers

Local Trail Association

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 1 rides
  • 7 miles average
6 Months
  • 13 rides
  • 9 miles avg distance
All
  • 83 rides
  • Last: Nov 12, 2026
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update trails status or condition

Fernhill Loop Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Nov 1, 2026 @ 8:06am (Pacific/Auckland)
Oct 31, 2026
 reporter Main creek slipped again. Tree also blocking trail. Crew to clear Monday
Oct 22, 2026 @ 8:05am (Pacific/Auckland)
Oct 21, 2026
 reporter Cracks and slumps fixed on bikepark side. Still could move a little so be careful
Oct 19, 2026 @ 6:03pm (Pacific/Auckland)
Oct 18, 2026
 reporter Trees cleared and creek crossing now rideable. May change as mountain settles. Cracking and slumping still present above midway so be careful
Oct 15, 2026 @ 10:34pm (Pacific/Auckland)
Oct 15, 2026
 reporter 2 trees down above main creek on beech side. Big saw
Sep 21, 2026 @ 3:46pm (Pacific/Auckland)
Sep 20, 2026
 reporter Tree cleared
more »
Status:
on Nov 1, 2026
Avg: 4.06 (8 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (724)
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      Directions to fernhill-loop trailhead (-45.035140, 168.639450)
      View on Discover Map 3D Tour

      Photos

      252 more »
      mtb
      74 |
      Feb 10, 2026 @ 8:49pm
      Feb 10, 2026
      mtb
      115 |
      Feb 7, 2024 @ 5:58pm
      Feb 7, 2024
      mtb
      99 |
      Feb 7, 2024 @ 5:57pm
      Feb 7, 2024
      mtb
      70 |
      Feb 7, 2024 @ 5:57pm
      Feb 7, 2024
      Views 31Summit 13Lake 10Rooty 7Alpine 6Meadow 1Loamy 1

      Videos

      9 more »
      youtuber Mountain Biking to the Top of Queenstown and...
      mtb
      11:10 | 1080 | Feb 19, 2019 , Queenstown
      youtuber Ben Lomond Saddle to Queenstown | Full Trail
      mtb
      21:31 | 269 | Nov 10, 2025 , Queenstown
      Easiest way down Fernhill Loop | Bike Travel...
      mtb
      5:38 | 822 | Jul 29, 2019 , Queenstown
      2019 Hei Hei Trail
      mtb
      2:28 | 5423 | Jun 11, 2018 , Queenstown

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      544
      Fernhill Loop via Beeched As and McNearly Gnarly
      ★ 4.7 • 7 miles • 2,568 ft • 4 • Point to Point •
      An alternative route to Fernhill Loop utilising as much purpose built singletrac as possible. Allow...
      680
      Moonlight Loop from Queenstown
      ★ 2.0 • 17 miles • 5,006 ft • 9 • Loop •
      Loop linking some of the best backcountry trails in Fernhill, starting straight from Queenstown
      539
      Lower Fernhill Tech
      ★ 1.0 • 4 miles • 1,182 ft • 15 • Loop •
      Quick pedal loop from town taking in Lower Salmon Run and Fingerling for some fun tech
      4.2 ★★★★★
      8 Ratings
      5 ★ 50%
      4 ★ 25%
      3 ★ 13%
      2 ★ 13%
      1 ★

      1 Review & Comments


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      Nearby Trails

      Fernhill Trails

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      • #25721 - 29,402 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Fernhill Loop located?
      Fernhill Loop is located in Fernhill Trails, Queenstown, New Zealand. It is part of the Fernhill Trails trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -45.03514, 168.63945.
      ▼ How hard is Fernhill Loop?
      Fernhill Loop is rated as Advanced difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 0.1%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Fernhill Loop?
      Fernhill Loop has 1,636 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,611 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 1,615 ft to 3,061 ft.
      ▼ How long is Fernhill Loop?
      Fernhill Loop is 4.9 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Fernhill Loop?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Fernhill Loop. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Fernhill Loop?
      Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Fernhill Loop are:
      • January (12 activities)
      • March (10 activities)
      • February (8 activities)
      Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
      ▼ How do I access Fernhill Loop? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Fernhill Loop are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Fernhill Loop?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 1 hour to ride Fernhill Loop. The trail is 4.9 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Fernhill Loop?
      Fernhill Loop is a very popular trail. There have been 625 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 724 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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