4.9 miles
Distance
1,635 ft
Climb
-1,609 ft
Descent
01:19:22
Avg time

Fernhill Loop Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Fernhill Trails
    Queenstown
  • Difficulty Rating
    Advanced rate
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T3 Demanding Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular in reverse
  • 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
  • Global Ranking
    #54538 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #90842 in Trail Running
    • #94134 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    70 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 40 in E-Biking
    • 55 in Trail Running
    • 95 in Hiking
  • 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
More Stats for Fernhill Loop mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    25 ft
  • Altitude min
    1,615 ft
  • Altitude max
    3,061 ft
  • Altitude start
    1,615 ft
  • Altitude end
    1,640 ft
  • Grade
    0.1%
  • Grade max
    -72.3%
  • Grade min
    56.3%
  • Distance climb
    3 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    1,932 ft
  • Avg time
    01:19:22
  • Avg reverse time
    01:16:30
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jun 11, 2025
Freeze/thaw Cycle
Avg: 4.06 (8 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to fernhill-loop trailhead (-45.035140, 168.639440)
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      Fernhill Loop Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jun 11, 2025 @ 12:26pm
      Jun 11, 2025
      		 Open section has freeze thaw so avoid during winter. There are options to drop into trails below treeline
      Jun 5, 2025 @ 11:56am
      Jun 5, 2025
      		 Section below midway clearing has been raked and blown with ruts from pirate trails fixed.
      Mar 24, 2025 @ 8:05pm
      Mar 24, 2025
      		 Replaced broken planks and netting on bridge. Some water management and minor earth works.
      Mar 9, 2025 @ 9:04pm
      Mar 9, 2025
      		 Some vegetation cut back, and trimming. Followed up this week with a spray and some minor earthworks. Review before winter to ensure drainage and...
      Jan 19, 2025 @ 9:47am
      Jan 19, 2025
      		 Small section at the top of mcnearly climb needs cut back with weed watcher and hedge trimmer
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 14 rides
      • 12 miles avg distance
      All
      • 36 rides
      • Last: Jun 18, 2025

      Photos

      more »
      44 |
      Feb 7, 2024 @ 5:58pm
      Feb 7, 2024
      25 |
      Feb 7, 2024 @ 5:57pm
      Feb 7, 2024
      23 |
      Feb 7, 2024 @ 5:57pm
      Feb 7, 2024
      21 |
      Feb 7, 2024 @ 5:56pm
      Feb 7, 2024

      Routes with this trail

      titledistance
      Fernhill Loop via Beeched As and McNearly Gnarly7 miles
      Moonlight Loop from Queenstown17 miles
      Lower Fernhill Tech4 miles

      1 Review & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      youtuber Mountain Biking to the Top of Queenstown and...
      11:10 | 920 | Feb 19, 2019 , Queenstown
      Easiest way down Fernhill Loop | Bike Travel...
      5:38 | 565 | Jul 29, 2019 , Queenstown
      2019 Hei Hei Trail
      2:28 | 5416 | Jun 11, 2018 , Queenstown
      2019 Hei Hei Trail - Tech Video
      0:15 | 1397 | Jun 11, 2018 , Queenstown

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