Arrow River Trail / Bush Creek Trail / Big Hill Trail / Sawpit Gully Trail — Attraction in South Island

Big Hill trail:

From the Arrowtown car park this is a 5-6 hour walk up to the top of Big Hill summit.

It follows the Saw Pit Gully trail at first - cross the bridge on the lower car park in Arrowtown.

The first climb up to Eichardts flat (45 mins) is the steepest climb, so don’t get discouraged if you found yourself out of breath.

From here you deviate left and uphill, although the track is fairly flat. There’s a nice beech forest section, then a climb again to the Big Hill saddle. The peak is now close but a bit of uphill again then you are at the top with impressive 360 degree views of Queenstown, Cardrona & the Richardson Mountains. A walk across the summit gives a view down onto Macetown.

I walked back the way I came but you can descend from Big Hill summit east and down to the Arrow river (Hayes creek walkway) to complete a loop - adds around 30 minutes...

We chose this walk specifically because it had a minimal gradient, making it easier to navigate in the rainy conditions. Despite the weather, the experience was quite captivating, with the rain adding a refreshing atmosphere. The rivers along the trail were flowing strongly, creating a mesmerizing sight as they surged with power and energy. The sound of the rushing water combined with the rain made for a peaceful yet invigorating experience. Overall, it was the perfect walk for such weather, allowing us to enjoy nature without the challenge of...

I couldn't stop taking pictures! We were expecting an easy walk (which is possible along the road) and were pleasantly surprised at the intermediate level of difficulty by walking through the woods and along the cliffs. Absolutely stunning scenery in an easy out-and-back. Beware that the river makes the road track inaccessible so after we crossed the bridge and discovered we would have to wade through knee-deep water, we decided to go back the way we came....