Coronet Loop Trail Backcountry Bikepacking Route Near Queenstown, NZ

Newbie bikepacker Claire tackled the public transport-accessible section of the Coronet Loop Trail in a challenging 24-hour, low-carbon backcountry adventure that’s not for the faint-hearted.

Please note! There’s a temporary ban on using the bike racks on Queenstown buses. It’s best to check updates for this restriction before heading out on this adventure.

Spectacular mountain views, epic backcountry singletrack, and historic gold mining relics await you on the Coronet Loop Trail near Queenstown. Cutting off a tiny bit of the full 50km route means you skip 500m of elevation and can access the trail by bus. It couldn’t be more convenient and is a great intro to bikepacking for experienced cyclists.

Quick Overview

The Coronet Loop Trail in Queenstown is New Zealand’s newest backcountry mountain bike trail. The full loop is 50km, but this 43.5km (almost-loop) route cuts out almost 500m of elevation and makes an overnight bikepacking trip conveniently accessible by a $2 public bus from central Queenstown.

Now that’s a winner!

Coronet Loop Trail Quick Facts

Distance: 43.5km
Duration: 8.5 hours, over two days
Elevation gain: 1,279m
Nearest town: Queenstown

About The Coronet Loop Trail

Opened in March 2022, the Coronet Loop is Queenstown’s newest backcountry mountain bike trail. The well-formed and well-marked singletrack winds its way around remote historic gold mining country behind Queenstown.

I completed a shorter section of the trail on a weekend overnighter, starting in Arthur’s Point and finishing in Arrowtown, taking around eight hours cycling (as a relatively new bikepacker) total to complete the route.

You can ride the trail in either direction, but it’s best ridden clockwise. Graded as an intermediate Grade 3, a moderate to high level of fitness is recommended as is prior mountain biking experience.

Coronet Loop Trail History

In the 1800s, the area around the Coronet Loop Trail was a hot spot for gold miners seeking their fortune in the Shotover and Arrow Rivers. The remote terrain proved challenging for those trying to strike it rich – no doubt they’d be jealous of the way the Coronet Loop Trail has opened up a unique part of the area’s backcountry if they could see it now!

The trail is the result of five years of work and a collaboration between local organisations.

How To Get to the Coronet Loop Trail

By Bus

The beauty of this route is its accessibility by public transport from central Queenstown – local public buses have room for two bikes on a rack at the front of each bus, and fares are only $2 per person each way with a registered Bee Card. You can grab one at the Paper Plus store at Queenstown Airport.

To get to the start of the trail – the Coronet Peak access road – take the no.2 Arthurs Point service from the Stanley Street Bus Hub to Arthur’s Point (approximately ten minutes).

Return via the no.2 Arthurs Point service from Ramshaw Lane to Central Queenstown in around 40 minutes.

By Car/Shuttle

You can reduce your climb even further by parking or organising a shuttle to Skippers Saddle car park off the Coronet Peak ski field access road, a 15-minute drive from central Queenstown.

Local bike tour operators offer shuttle services or consider getting a group together, parking at either end, and swapping keys halfway.

Where to Stay Along the Coronet Loop Trail

Green Gate Hut is the perfect overnight pit stop, around 13km into your ride. This historic hut was once a gold miner’s residence and was later used as a musterer’s hut. A stream runs by the hut where you can collect water.

There’s no fee to stay at the hut. Remember to leave no trace and always be respectful.

Where to Eat on the Coronet Loop Trail

Being a remote backcountry track, no food or drink is available along the trail so you’ll need to bring your own food. I recommend plenty of snacks! Water is readily available from streams along the way, but you’ll need to treat it before you drink.

Read more: Guide to Filtering & Treating Water on the Trail

We picked up some bakery treats from Fergbaker before hopping on the bus in Queenstown and had a well-earned feed at The Fork and Tap once we’d finished the ride in Arrowtown.

Skill Level

Intermediate – Advanced

The Coronet Loop Trial is Grade 3 and most suitable for intermediate to advanced cyclists. The trail crosses various terrain and includes some steep and exposed areas with moderately technical sections.

As a fairly new bikepacker and mountain biker, I found this track challenging! I recommend having some prior mountain biking experience to make the trail more enjoyable. There were quite a few spots where I had to walk and push my bike.

A reasonable fitness level will make your ride easier as there’s lots of elevation to gain along the trail, approximately 1200m! 

It’s important to note that the trail traverses through an alpine environment and weather can change rapidly. Check the forecast, and bring extra layers and a personal locator beacon (PLB). Once on the backcountry section of the trail, there are no other entry or exit points.

Like cautionary tales? We Took 10 Years To Plan Our Ultimate NZ Bikepacking Trip – and It Was a Disaster

Essential Gear for the Coronet Loop Trail

• Mountain bike (can be hired from bike shops in Queenstown. I recommend Vertigo Bikes or Alta)
• Bike helmet
• Bike gloves
• Bike repair kit – tubes, a patch kit, pump, tyre levers, and a multi-tool
• Sleeping bag
• Tent and sleeping mat (if not sleeping in the hut)
• Water bottles and water filter or water purification tablets
• Head torch
• Toiletries – sunscreen, lip balm, and toilet paper are essential!
• First aid kit
• Chafing cream
• Navigation – I recommend downloading the NZ Topo Map app before leaving
• Portable charger
• PLB
• Sunglasses
• Bee Card – can be purchased from central Queenstown or the airport
• Food for two days and plenty of snacks!

Read more: Essential Gear for Bikepacking Adventures

What It’s Like Bikepacking the Coronet Loop Trail

Day 1 – Arthur’s Point to Green Gate Hut

Distance: 13.3km
Duration: 3 hours
Navigation Data: Day 1 GPX route

​​My partner Kurt and I set off just after lunch from Queenstown. We’d stocked our bikes full of Fergbaker goodies (IYKYK). After taking our bikes off the Arthur’s Point bus, we rode ten minutes to reach Arthur’s Point and the Coronet Peak Access Road.

Before I knew it, we were right in the thick of it and tackling the ascent up Coronet Peak access road. Stopping periodically to look behind us gave us views over the glistening Lake Whakatipu and Queenstown – a welcome reward for our efforts.

Making it to Skippers Saddle (949m) was a welcome relief, but the ‘Pack, Track & Sack’ section was next. It’s the only Grade 4 section of the trail and, after all that hard work, I ended up walking my bike down this technical single track that was way above my abilities.

We climbed up (again!) along a series of switchbacks from the bottom of Long Gully. The low light cast warm shadows on the rugged terrain. All the effort was worth it as we hit a long, flowing downhill to Green Gate Hut at sunset.

Nestled between mountains, Green Gate Hut has three bunk beds, an old fireplace, and some small furry residents (judging by the animal droppings on the floor). We opted to camp on the grass next to the hut instead. 

We settled in for a cosy night sleeping under the stars, ready for a big day of riding tomorrow.

Day 2 – Green Gate Hut to Arrowtown

Distance: 30km
Duration: 5.5 hours
Navigation Data: Day 2 GPX route

We began day two a little lazily. After a good sleep and fuelling up with breakfast, we were ready to hit the trail at around 10am.

From Green Gate Hut the trail becomes a true backcountry experience. Rest assured, it’s well-signposted and easy to follow.

The first section involved a steep climb up to Picnic Rock and I felt exhausted before we even really started! As the trail continued down into the valley, we rode through the first of many river crossings, managing to keep our feet dry (just!).

While we were slightly disheartened by speedy e-biking day riders leaving us in their tracks, our slow pace and many snack stops meant we had plenty of time to take in the scale and grandeur of the backcountry.

Having lived in Queenstown for three years, I’d never experienced this part of the region. The trail felt miles away from civilisation.

A few kilometres out of Arrowtown we rode onto Macetown Road, a 4WD track built in 1884 that features a ton of creek crossings, and plenty of potholes. The stunning display of autumn leaves lining the track made up for the tricky terrain.  

After keeping our feet dry for most of the day, we gave in and waded through the icy Arrow River to avoid hiking our bikes up a steep set of stairs.

After almost six hours, the arrival into Arrowtown was a welcome return to civilisation. We headed straight to The Fork and Tap for a well-earned feed before catching the bus back to Queenstown.

More bikepacking options: New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides Are A Bike Touring Dream

Tips for Bikepacking the Coronet Loop Trail

• Pickup a Bee Card and register it before you start – to access $2 bus fares, you’ll need to pick up a Bee Card (from Paper Plus at Queenstown Airport or the iSite in central Queenstown) and register it before you start. You can share one Bee Card between two people – just tell the bus driver you’d like to pay for two
• Be prepared to wait for a bus – bus bike racks can only accommodate two bikes. Allow plenty of extra time to wait for another bus in case the first one is already at bike capacity
• Consider supporting the Queenstown Trails network – If you enjoyed your ride, consider giving back to not-for-profit, Queenstown Trails who help enable adventures like this one by building and maintaining trails. 100% of your donation will help enhance and expand the trail network

Photo by Geoff Marks

FAQs Coronet Loop Trail

How do I get to the start of the Coronet Loop Trail using public transport?

You can catch the no.2 bus from central Queenstown, which has a bike rack up front and only costs $2 with a Bee Card. Note that the bus can only carry two bikes, so you might need to wait if there’s a queue.

Do I need to be an expert mountain biker to tackle the Coronet Loop?

Not necessarily, but intermediate skills are a minimum! This trail is rated Grade 3, with some steep and rocky sections. There’s one short, gnarlier bit at Grade 4, but you can always hop off and do some hike-a-bike if it feels like too much. If you’re unsure, definitely take a mate with you, or head out there for a day trip first to suss the terrain.

Where can I camp along the Coronet Loop Trail?

Green Gate Hut is about 13km into the ride and makes the perfect overnight stop. As a bonus, it’s free!

Can I refill water along the Coronet Loop Trail?

Yup, there are some creeks along the way, but you’ll need a filter or purification tablets. This is true backcountry, so best come prepared to treat any water before you drink it. Not sure how? Check out our guide to filtering and purifying water on the trail.

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