Coronet Loop Trail

50km - Circuit

Intermediate - Advanced Mountain Bike Trail

This is a backcountry mountain bike trail requiring moderate levels of skill and fitness. While the trail is well formed and marked, it is a more challenging experience than the rest of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride.

The Coronet Loop trail begins in Arrowtown at Butler’s Green, adjacent to the historic Chinese Settlement by the Arrow River. Whilst the trail can be ridden in either direction, the most popular direction is clockwise - which starts by heading up Bush Creek. This a great climbing track which passes through native beech forest and towering schist bluffs. This is a two-way track and popular with walkers, so keep an eye out for downhill riders and hikers.

At Bush Creek Saddle, the trail continues along the Coronet Face Water Race, which was the first part of the loop to be developed and was opened by the Queenstown Trails Trust and Soho Property in 2018. The Water Race weaves along the front face of Coronet Peak through remnant Beech Forest, passing old sections of flume pipe and the site of the old Racemans Hut at Station Creek. The race was developed in the goldrush era, with water taken from McMullen and Station Creeks being channeled all the way across the front face of Mt Dewar to sluice the Shotover faces at Arthurs Point. The Raceman's Chimney was stabilized and restored in 2021, made possible by a generous donation from Raymond and Joy Keys.  

From the end of the Water Race track, The Connector trail climbs up to Coronet Peak Road.  From the road you can choose to head into Skippers Canyon via Tradesmans and Pack Track and Sack trails*, or using Skippers Pack Track or Skippers Road. 

*NOTE: Pack Track and Sack is a Grade 4 with some steep rock drops. To bypass the technical challenges, take the Skippers Pack Track, or follow the Skippers Road before joining the climb to the Greengate Saddle. 

As you head towards the Long Gully valley floor, you will need to take a right-hand turn to start the climb to the Greengates saddle.  This intersection is sign posted, head through the gate enjoy the switch back climbs - the views into Long Gully and surrounding ranges are spectacular.

From the saddle, a flowing downhill follows the historic pack track, past the historic Greengates Hut before it opens out high above Deep Creek overlooking the remains of the Old Greengates Hotel.

The Loop continues, climbing to Picnic Rock, with its amazing vistas, before a long steady descent into Deep Creek, passing a couple of spectacular waterfalls on the way to the Golden Terraces (visible in the distance). The track sidles in and out of the Creek and up the ‘Willows Climb’ before crossing Parkers Creek and emerging onto the high plateau of Golden Terraces. This section gives a stunning backcountry experience, linking sections of old pack track and passing old mining ruins as it weaves between the bluffs.

The terrain eases up a little before the Eight Mile saddle and after the descent to Eight Mile Creek (aka Coronet Creek), the trail follows an old miners track down the true right to join the Macetown Rd. The miners track here is narrow and exposed (Grade 4), and less confident riders can walk this section, or follow the Macetown Rd, but be prepared to get wet as the road crisscrosses the Arrow River.

The track continues on the Macetown 4WD road along the Arrow River. After the Norman Spencer bridge, there are a set of steep stairs to climb with some narrow sections before the track levels off to return you back at Butler’s Green in Arrowtown.

Coronet Loop is an Intermediate - Advanced backcountry mountain biking trail.  Riders need to have experience, skill and fitness to tackle the loop.  The Coronet Loop trail is well formed and marked, but is a more challenging ride than the Queenstown Trail.  Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Biking Trails are classified as including long steep climbs, narrow track, poor traction and obstacles that are difficult to avoid.  Expect to experience some exposure at the track's outside edge.  Most riders will find some sections easier to walk.