Trail running Queenstown's best kept secrets with a local ultrarunner

Most people who visit Queenstown and love trail running end up doing the same thing like jogging along the waterfront, scrolling All Trails for something that looks good, and hoping for the best. Meanwhile, some of the best singletrack in the world is right there, and nobody's showing them where to go. That's what this is. I'm Anthony and I've run 30+ ultramarathons, I live for this stuff, and I know these trails like the back of my hand. I'll pick the route based on your fitness, your experience, and what the weather's doing. You don't have to think about a thing. We'll head out on trails most visitors never find. Ridgelines with views that make you stop mid-stride, quiet singletrack through native bush, climbs that earn every bit of what's waiting at the top. And what's waiting at the top is a cold local beer, something homemade to eat, and a few minutes to just sit there and take it all in. If you're up for it, we finish with a dip in the river to cool off or a sauna session at a local spot. If not, no pressure. Either way, you'll end the day knowing you saw a side of Queenstown or Wanaka that most people drive right past. No decision-making. No guesswork. Just a great run with someone who gives a damn about showing you the good stuff.

We'll sort the details beforehand. Where you're staying, how much running you've done, what kind of day you're after. By the time we meet, the trail's already picked and everything's packed. We can sort pickups out if you would like that too. The run/hike starts with a climb. Some days that's a steady grind up a ridgeline, other days it's switchbacks through bush that open up to something ridiculous. I'll set a pace that works for you and point out trails and peaks along the way with the kind of local knowledge you just can't get from an app. At the top, we stop. Beers (or something not as hard) come out of the pack, food gets unpacked, and you sit there earning the view. No rush. This is the bit people remember most. Then we head down and if you're a runner, you already know this is the fun part. Fast, flowy, and grinning the whole way in our amazing Queenstown mountains. At the bottom, if conditions are right and you're keen, there's a river or lake nearby to jump into. Cold water after a hard run on a warm day is a different kind of magic. Totally optional, totally worth it. The whole thing runs somewhere between 2 and 4 hours depending on the trail and the group. You'll come away with tired legs, a full phone camera, and at least one trail you'll want to come back and run again.