The Mt Crichton loop is a good track because it gives you a decent workout while packing in both some scenic and historic interest. This is the most varied track in the Queenstown area. The loop, going clockwise, begins up the one-time gold-filled 12-Mile Creek. There are plenty of bridged crossings and sometimes you can still see/hear gold miners trying to find a little “flash in the pan” down in the creekbed. Along the way you’ll see a gold-sluicing tunnel and a charmingly re-habbed gold miner’s cabin that’s open for a historic look-see.
After the cabin comes the steeper part of the climb…but then also the payback for the sweating—nice sweeping views! Viewpoints show Lake Dispute in the wooded valley below and then a wonderful big eyeful of Lake Wakatipu and its surrounding peaks up ahead.
If the weather is cloudy this track is a good option. On a pure sunshine day it’s better to head up the Remarkables Road or drive to Glenorchy.
