New Zealand’s Great Walks each offer a world-class hiking experience showcasing our diverse country. From stunning scenery, majestic mountain vistas, and an abundance of wildlife thriving in habitats from alpine meadows to ancient forests, you’ll be immersed in a wilderness environment that is purer, crisper, and more vibrant that anywhere else on earth! New Zealand’s landscape is incredibly diverse, as is its climate; on a hot summers day you can take a refreshing dip in one of the many crystal clear mountain rivers, swim in the ocean at the numerous wild and unblemished sandy beaches, or walk through rainforests past mist enveloped waterfalls during a rainstorm. In winter you can expect snow, birdlife, and alpine tussock dotting the hills of the high country. You can explore much of the country via our Great Walks, and no matter what time of year you visit, you can experience an unforgettable taste of a real Kiwi outdoor adventure.

North Island Great Walks

New Zealand’s North Island is quite different to the South, especially in autumn (fall), or spring time. The North Island hosts many subtropical native tree species like the Kauri, which can grow to heights of up to 40 meters (130ft) with a girth around the trunk of 2 meters (6.5ft) in diameter. Kauri trees can live to be over 1000 years old, with the largest survivors, like Tāne Mahuta (‘the god of the forest’), growing to a diameter of 4.4 meters (14.5ft). There are many more native tree species, all with their own unique New Zealand characteristics, and covered with carpets of mosses, lichens and ferns. Not to mention bird song, from Tui, Kakapo and other native birds. The North Island is known for its deep blue green waters and white sandy beaches, which are home to the Pohutukawa, a coastal tree with vibrant red flowers, often featured in paintings by local artists around the region. If you want to see more of the North Island’s lush rainforest and wilderness, two of the best walks in the North Island are Waikaremoana and The Tongariro Crossing. The popular Kauri North Island tour includes the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Mount Te Aroha and Rainbow Mountain, as well as other activities like snorkelling, kayaking and mountain biking.

Lake Waikaremoana Walk

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk traces the picturesque shoreline of Lake Waikaremoana, Maori for the ‘sea of rippling waters.’ Walking around this large water mass, you will pass under and around giant podocarp trees and remote beaches, emerging at Panekire Bluff to be rewarded with a gorgeous view.

The Lake Waikaremoana track encompasses 46 kilometres of trails and takes 3 – 4 days to walk. The track is well formed and equally well marked. In some places this walk is more rugged than other Great Walks, but unlike other walks including the Milford Track, it does not require fording of any rivers as all rivers and major streams are bridged. This trek is suitable for trampers of moderate fitness and limited experience.

Lake Waikeremoana is located in the Te Urewera National Park in the east of the North Island, the closest towns are Wairoa, Gisborne and Rotorua.

Huts and Campsites:

• Panekire Hut
• Waiopaoa Hut
• Marauiti Hut
• Tapuaenui Campsite

Lake Waikaremoana fees

	Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child/infant (0-17 yrs)
Hut	$32	Free (booking required)
Campsite	$14	Free (booking required)

Tongariro Crossing Northern Circuit

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track spans the length of Mount Tongariro, covering 19.4 kilometres. The track begins at the Mangatepopo Valley and finishes at Ketatahi Road. The landscape is mainly made up of alpine grasses and volcanic rock formations. Some say its scenery makes you feel like you could be traversing the moon, but if you look closely around you, you will see a myriad colourful textures in the flora and fauna living in this wild habitat. When you arrive at the emerald lakes, the stark icy-green contrast against the volcanic earth colours of the surroundings leaves a lasting and vivid image. The Tongariro Crossing is not a difficult hike, but the temperature can drop suddenly, so make sure you take warm, windproof clothing with you just in case the weather changes. The Tongariro Crossing is one of those ‘must-do’ activities if you’re visiting the North Island. For most hikers the trek takes between seven and nine hours to complete. Again, check out the hiking tours page to read more about a guided Tongariro crossing option.

South Island Great Walks

If you’re looking for grand scenery and majestic landscapes that take your breath away, then you’ll love the dramatic contrasts of the picturesque South Island. You can be walking through lichen-covered beech forest one day, and along alpine meadows rimmed by snow capped peaks the next. This is New Zealand’s South Island. It’s impossible to describe the freshness of the air, and the purity of the landscapes, they simply have to be experienced; and once they have been experienced, you understand why visitors to the Southern Alps, fiords, sounds, beaches and forests have said; New Zealand is like stepping into natures photoshop – the colours and textures are just so vivid!

Abel Tasman Coast Track

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is located in the Abel Tasman National Park in the north of New Zealand’s South Island. The Track is great for hikers who want an easy to moderate walking trail. It passes through picturesque landscape of coastal forest and golden sandy beaches. At the right time of year you’ll also encounter breeding colonies of fur seals and many bird species including penguins and native forest-dwelling birds. There are plenty of places to explore over your three to five day journey, and the mild climate makes it possible to walk the track all year round. It extends for 54.4 kilometres and you can start the walk from either end. There are huts and campsites en route, where you can stay for a small fee. Bookings are required but there is no charge for day walks.

Huts:

• Anchorage Hut
• Bark Bay Hut
• Awaroa Hut
• Whariwharangi Hut

Abel Tasman Coast Track fees

	Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child/infant (0-17 yrs)
Hut	$32	Free (booking required)
Campsite	$14	Free (booking required)

Heaphy Track

The Heaphy Track is known for its beauty and diversity. The track stretches for 78 kilometres across a wide range of landscapes and  intercepts at the junction of two major rivers. You will walk over extensive tussock country, through lush forest, and down to the roaring sea and black sands of the West Coast. This great walk takes four to six days, it’s not a strenuous walk, being well formed, and it’s suitable for most people. All rivers and major streams are bridged as you walk through marble and limestone landscapes riddled with caves and characterised by natural arches, sinkholes and water-carved outcrops. Over half of New Zealand’s native plant species live in Kahurangi National Park where the Heaphy Track is located, including 80% of all alpine plant species! To the east of these alpine regions are beautiful tracks of forest containing red and silver beech trees. You’ll also find tiny orchids growing on the forest floor, many of them flowering in summer. Some of the oldest rocks in New Zealand – up to 500 million years old – are found here too. Red tussocks, flax, herbs and shrubs can be found amongst the rocks. There are also yellow flowered lilies and small native foxgloves decorating the area. Between sea level and around 300 metres you’ll see giant podocarp trees, and there are many other native trees higher up. The undergrowth is generally richer than at high-altitudes with kiekie and supplejack that twist their way upwards into the canopy whilst many other small shrubs jostle for light down on the forest floor. Some of these areas definitely resemble familiar scenes from the Lord Of The Rings trilogy!

Huts and Campsites:

• Brown Hut
• Aorere Shelter
• Perry Saddle Hut
• Gouland Downs Hut
• Saxon Hut
• James Mackay Hut
• Lewis Hut
• Heaphy Hut
• Katipo Creek Shelter
• Scotts Beach

Heaphy Track fees

	Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child/infant (0-17 yrs)
Hut	$32	Free (booking required)
Campsites	$14	Free (booking required)

Routeburn Track

The Routeburn Track follows a major tectonic fault zone, and the paths of huge glaciers. The last of these glaciers disappeared some 10,000 years ago but not without carving out distinctive U-shaped valleys, basins and residual glaciers along the eastern face of Mount Tutoko. Beech trees are dominant along this trail, with red beech in the lowest sunny frost-free regions, and mountain beech found at higher altitudes. Walking through these rainforests, you’ll also see an abundance of mosses and lichens and other plants perched high above the canopy. The Routeburn Track also passes through several avalanche paths colonized by ravenwood, one of New Zealand’s few deciduous trees. High up on the grasslands (when there’s no snow) you’ll see daisies, buttercups, orchids, bog communities, host orchids, daisies and bulk pine. Like all New Zealand walks, you’ll find an abundance of bird life from robins to bowerbirds, riflemen, yellowheads and native species like band tails and wood pigeons. The Routeburn Track takes around three days to complete. It can be walked in either direction and is suitable for anyone who is moderately fit, with its gentle inclines. During winter some alpine hiking experience is required, unless of course you are travelling with a guided tour group.

Huts and Campsites:

• Routeburn Flats Hut
• Routeburn Flats campsite
• Routeburn Falls Hut
• Lake Mackenzie Hut
• Lake Mackenzie campsite
• Lake Howden Hut

Routeburn Track fees

	Summer season 28 October 2014 to 29 April 2015		Winter season 30 April 2015 to 26 October 2015
	Adult (18+ years)	Youth/Child (5-17 years)	Adult (18+ years)	Youth/Child (5-17 years)
Hut	$54.00	Free	$15.00	Free
Campsite	$18.00	Free	$5.00	Free

Milford Track

The 53.5 km (33.2 mi) Milford Track is the most popular and iconic of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The Milford Track is classified between easy and moderate as a hiking challenge. It suits people of all ages and abilities and gives you a great taste of many different landscapes from thickly covered beech forest to high alpine passes. The Milford Track generally takes four nights and five days to complete and starts at the spectacular northern end of Lake Te Anau. You’ll walk through beech forest and out into wide-open meadows, then up to the ice-carved Clinton Canyon. From Lake Mintaro at the heart of the Clinton Valley the track descends down next to the Arthur River to Sandfly Point.

Huts and Campsites:

• Clinton
• Mintaro
• Dumpling

	Summer season 28 October 2014 to 29 April 2015		Winter season 30 April 2015 to 26 October 2015
	Adult (18+ years)	Youth/Child* (5-17 years)	Adult (18+ years)	Youth/Child* (5-17 years)
Hut	$162.00 (all 3 huts)	Free	$15.00	Free

Kepler Track

The Kepler Track is an adventure above the clouds. A 60 km (37miles), three to four day loop track which leads you through the gentle, beech-forested shores of lakes Te Anau and Manapouri to the tussocky alpine mountain tops along Mt Luxmore. The reward for your hill climb is a long trail hovering above the bushline offering stunning panoramic views of the Kepler Mountains on one side, and picturesque lakes, rivers and hanging valleys on the other. The Kepler Track is an excellent track for those who want an adventure with a bit of a physical challenge, and with excellent accommodation and cooking facilities.

As one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, this track is built to a very high standard with the benefit of comfortable, serviced huts, and unlike several other tracks, many camping opportunities. During the winter months (May to October) the Kepler Track offers reduced facilities.

Huts and Campsites:

• Brod Bay campsite
• Luxmore Hut
• Iris Burn Hut
• Iris Burn campsite
• Moturau Hut

Kepler Track fees

	Summer season 28 October 2014 to 29 April 2015		Winter season 30 April 2015 to 26 October 2015
	Adult (18+ years)	Youth/Child (5-17 years)	Adult (18+ years)	Youth/Child (5-17 years)
Hut	$54.00	Free	$15.00	Free
Campsite	$18.00	Free	$5.00	Free

Rakiura Track

Lying south of the South Island, Stewart Island’s Rakiura Track is accessible by regular air flights from Invercargill or a ferry service from Bluff.

The 29 kilometre Rakiura Track is suitable for anyone with moderate fitness, it is a total of 36 kilometres for the entire circuit if you include road walking. It takes three days to complete and provides a good introduction to the scenery of Stewart Island. It is suitable for tramping all year round.

Stewart Island is known for its complete cover of natural vegetation. The highest mountain on the island, Mt. Anglem/Hananui, reaches 980m and is visible from the section of track along the open coast. Climbing this windswept summit, a trail which is not officially part of the Rakiura Track,  gives you a view of the ocean, inlets and dense rimu and kamahi forest below which host a rich diversity of tree ferns, ground ferns and perching orchids. Rata trees are found at higher altitudes. Birdlife is prolific and you can see a wide range of bird species from penguins, to parakeets, wood pigeons and cuckoos to name just a few.

Huts and Campsites:

• Port William Hut
• North Arm Hut
• Maori Beach Campsite
• Port William Campsite
• North Arm Campsite

Rakiura Track fees

	Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child/infant (0- 17yrs)
Huts	$22	Free (booking required)
Campsites	$6	Free (booking required)

 

Booking Huts on Great Walks

• Booking huts and campsites is required for most Great Walks, some like the Milford Track do not allow camping, and have reduced facilities in winter.
• Maps of the New Zealand Great Walks can be found here.
• Rates for campsites can be found here.
• In general rates for huts range from $32 per night.
• Most huts have bunks, mattresses, a clean water supply, sinks, and toilets. Many have picnic tables and cooking shelters.

Preparation Considerations

Once you have decided which walk you would like to embark on, it’s time to think about preparation for your trip. Three major considerations are accommodation, weather, and food. Every trip offers different environments to walk in, but most require the same equipment. Obviously in colder regions, warmer under and outer layers will be necessary. Wind proof and water proof outer layers are a must, as are dry socks for hiking! Below you’ll find a list of what you’ll need and a couple of pointers on safety in the New Zealand outdoors.

Food

Food cannot be purchased whilst on the Great Walks (or other New Zealand hiking tracks). Food should be lightweight, fast cooking and contain high energy value ingredients like:

• Breakfast: grain and fruit cereal, firm high grain bread, honey or other spreads.
• Lunch: cracker biscuits, jerky, cheese, salami, dried fruit, nuts and mixes, margarine, jam/jelly, fruit.
• Dinner: instant soup, dehydrated mashed potato, dehydrated meat, tinned fish, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze dried) meals.

It’s a good idea to take lots of water, easy to access snacks, chocolate bars, biscuits, muesli bars, electrolyte-rich powdered drink mixes, tea or coffee, and emergency food in case of any delays on the track.

Clothing & Equipment

• A hiking Pack with a large waterproof/plastic liner
• Boots that are comfortable and well broken in
• Campers require a tent, ground sheet, and gas cooker. Camping is not permitted on the Milford Track
• Drink bottle: minimum 1 litre capacity; it’s important to drink regularly during the day
• Eating and cooking utensils: knife, fork, spoon, can opener, plate, cup, pot pan or billy and cleaning kit
• Extra socks, underwear, shirt or lightweight jersey
• First aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, blister kits, pain relief, antiseptic cream, assorted bandages
• Jeans, heavy wool and cotton clothing are best left behind!
• Matches or lighter in waterproof container
• Mid-layers: wool or polar fleece
• Optional extras: camera, lightweight shoes for in the hut, ear plugs for communal bunkrooms (you will be sharing huts with up to 40 trampers)
• Over trousers: wind and water proof
• Personal equipment
• Raincoat: waterproof, windproof with hood – expect at least one rainy day and to need a change of clothes just in case of a river crossing or rainstorm
• Shirt: wool or polypropylene
• Shorts made from quick dry material
• Sleeping bag: good quality down or hollow fill
• Hiking socks: wool or polypropylene are best
• Survival kit: survival blanket, whistle, paper, permanent marker, bright coloured ribbon, pencil, high energy snack food
• Toiletries: soap, toothpaste, small towel. Please remember not to wash or use soap or detergents in lakes or streams
• Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
• Under layers: top and bottom merino wool or polypropylene
• Warm hat and gloves, sunhat and sunglasses
• You will need at least one set of clothes to walk in – preferably Merino as it absorbs moisture, stays warm when damp and doesn’t hold smell. Also take another dry set of clothing to change into at night. It is not always possible to dry clothes in the huts, so take clothes and towels that dry quickly and are light even when damp

For more packing tips see this page: Milford Track Hiking Gear List or download this PDF: Packing List For New Zealands Great Walks (PDF) 

Safety Advice

It’s good practice to tell someone what your intended itinerary is before leaving on your hike.  It’s also a good idea to leave a note in a hut guest book (or donate your own) with a note about where you’ve been and where you are heading to. Always carry spare warm clothes, a spare small flashlight that you only use for emergencies, and dry matches. If you are travelling with a guided tour party, you won’t have to be so concerned with safety, but it is still a nice idea to leave a record of your visit, and any great tips for fellow hikers.

Rule of thumb safety advice:

1. Plan your trip carefully
2. Tell someone where you are going
3. Be aware of the weather and expect it to change
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies for more than one day. In general, be prepared for all kinds of weather, so you can remain warm and dry while immersed in the beauty of your New Zealand wilderness surroundings.

Guided Walking Tours

Still wondering which Great Walk to start with? Check out our hiking and tours page for a run down of the best rated guided hiking tours in New Zealand