The Ben Lomond track is one of the most popular day hikes near Queenstown and the perfect challenge for your hiking elopement on the South Island, New Zealand. While the entire South Island is known for having some of the most eye-popping trails in the world, this one is extra special.
For perspective, the Ben Lomond Trail is 14 miles long (22.7km) with an elevation gain of almost 4,000 feet (1,205m). It takes an average of 8.5 hours to complete and is considered “hard” by almost any standards.
If you really want an adventure for your New Zealand elopement, check out Gab and Max’s full day hiking elopement up the Ben Lomond Track!
Hiking Elopement on the South Island, New Zealand, The Skyline Gondola and Ben Lomond Track hike
If you want a challenge for your New Zealand adventure elopement and to really feel like you worked for your views, this is the hike to do. However, you can skip about a mile of hiking and one of the steepest portions of the trail by taking the Skyline Gondola. I recommend this to allow yourselves more time and energy!
We started the day at their hotel getting ourselves prepped, and then headed to Queenstown for lunch. We grabbed food at the Bespoke Kitchen Cafe to fuel for the hike. They had a ton of healthy food options which was ideal for the marathon we had ahead.
We arrived at the Skyline Gondola and got up to the trailhead for The Ben Lomond Track. It’s a popular trail for hikers, bikers and runners alike, and can sometimes be crowded. We began the hike in the early afternoon that day, and the sun was strong and hot. I’d normally recommend starting this hike as early as possible to avoid the heat and crowds, but we wanted to be on the summit near sunset.
We hiked for a couple hours and reached the saddle above the trees. It was a steep, shadless climb. Here, they both helped each other into their wedding attire and we continued up to the summit.
Elopement vows and first dance along the Ben Lomond Track saddle
We arrived at the summit 1-2 hours before sunset. Despite most of the hike being in treeless, scorching sun, the summit was refreshingly cool. We explored the top and took some photos, as the air chilled quickly. At some point, we decided to head down to get warm again.
As we arrived back down to the saddle area, the light melted into a soft golden hour and they decided now was the perfect time to say their vows. The sun hit the peaks behind them in a red wash of light. The air began to cool, and Max put his jacket over Gab to keep her warm.
They had a first dance right there on the ridge, with the sun setting and the Southern Alps stretching across the horizon. Every inch of the hike was stunning and unmatched by anything I’ve ever seen before.
As beautiful as it was, we had to get down quickly to catch the last gondola - or else we’d be stuck hiking that extra steep, extra mile back to the starting point!
Thankfully, we made it back just in time to catch a ride down. That wrapped up an amazing day 1, and we headed back to our hotels to rest up for day 2.
We’d be meeting early the next morning for a helicopter tour around Milford Sound!
TOP TIPS FOR A HIKING ELOPEMENT ON THE SOUTH ISLAND, New Zealand:
Start early in the morning or late in the day
Bring lots of sunscreen and water - there aren’t many trees above a certain elevation
Bring a jacket for the summit - yes, it will be chilly even in summer!
Pay attention to the gondola opening times so you don’t get stranded
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