9 great hiking trails in New Zealand

9 great hiking trails in New Zealand

The nine Great Walks of New Zealand present the best of the wide wilderness and sublime landscape of the country

New Zealand is crossed by hiking trails: short walks through city parks, extraordinary day hikes and sea tours as well as spectacular long -distance hiking trails. It is this network of long and short routes that makes New Zealand one of the best hiking destinations in the world.

Great Walks of New Zealand

The country has thousands of kilometers on hiking trails, but these are these well -kept and easy -to -follow first -class hiking trails that are managed by the Department of Conservation and lead through the greatest landscape in the country.

The nine Great Walks of New Zealand penetrate every corner of the country ... and all the mountains, lakes, beaches, forests and fjords, the New Zealand to one of the leading hiking destinations - Kiwis call it "tramping".

Lake Waikaremoana, North Island

Distance: 46 km duration: 3-4 TASCHWEICHTEN: Means of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = "Great Walks of New Zealand Lake Waikaremoana"> Dream time The way follows the banks of Lake Waikaremoana

Every green shading can be seen on Lake Waikaremoana and its surroundings. Blessed with the largest area of ​​native forest on the north island and the magical "Goblin Forest", the way is largely followed by the banks of Lake Waikaremoana. Although the path follows the bank, it regularly branches into areas with wetlands and forests, whereby lonely beaches and waterfalls appear on the way.

Tongariro Northern Circuit, North Island

distance: 43km duration: 3-4 TASCHWEICHTEN: Means of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = “Great hikes in New Zealand Tongariro Northern Circuit”> Dream time The Emerald Lakes on the Tongariro Northern Circuit

The Tongariro Northern Circuit follows in the first section to the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is described by National Geographic as one of the best day hikes in the world. Hiking only gets better if the entire route includes the volcanic area of ​​the central north island.

The path leads past the perfectly circular cone of the Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand's most active volcano with 61 outbreaks since 1839. Thanks to the volcanic minerals, glacier valleys, beech forests and emerald -green lakes, a mixture of beyond colors.

Whanganui Reise, North Island

Distance: 87 or 145 km duration: 3 or 5 TASCHWEICHTENT: Canoeing more Information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = “Great Walks of New Zealand Whatdanui River”> Dream time The Whanganui River is New Zealand's longest navigable river

let the water run and exchange your hiking shoes for a few water shoes on this quiet river trip. Canoe or kayak from Taumarunui to Pipiriki on New Zealand's longest navigable river, the Whanganui River, to which the same legal rights as people were actually granted. Even if this is not a hiking trail, the trip is managed as part of the Great Walks system.

gently downstream through steep gorges, this trip leads visitors far beyond the catches of modern civilization. Instead, you can expect complete peace and quiet, along with a rich bird world and forestry that cling to the clips and the coast.

A shorter three -day trip from Whakhaoro to Pipiriki is also possible.

Abel Tasman Coast Track, South Island

Distance: 60 km duration: 3-5 TASCHWEICHTERE: light/medium more information: Doc.govt.nz

This beautiful coastal hiking trail is located in the Abel Tasman National Park, named after the Dutch seafarer Abel Janszoon Tasman. He was the first known European to reach New Zealand during his trip from 1642.

We hiked a section of the path as part of our multisport tour on the South Island and were completely engraved by the hilly path and its golden beaches, the clear water and the lush native bush.

It is possible to go all the way into both directions or use water taxis or kayaks to get on the way between the places. We hiked 13 km from Anchorage to Bark Bay in the morning before we went back to Marahau with the kayak in the afternoon.

Heaaphy Track, South Island

distance: 78km duration: 4-6 TASCHWEICHTICK: Means of information: Doc.govt.nz

alt = “heavy route great walks of new zealand”> dream time The Heaaphy Track is a more demanding hike

This challenging old Maori path on the west coast of the South Island offers the strongest contrasts to the Great Walks of New Zealand. The landscape on the Heaaphy Track, which is often overlooked by the more famous trails Milford, Routeburn and Abel Tasman, often changes from lush rainforest and pussy grassland to rugged mountains and palm-lined beaches with rolling surf.

The route is known for its wildlife, especially for its bird world, since it is home to many Great Spotted Kiwi Birds. The route is located in the Kahurangi National Park. Kahurangi means "valued possession" on Maori; An indication of what hikers expected in New Zealand's second largest national park.

Milford Track, South Island

Distance: 54 km duration: 4 TaSchwigklicht: light/medium more information: doc.govt.nz

Alt = "Great Walks of New Zealand Milford Track"> Dream time The iconic 1,692 m high summit of the Mitre Peak (Rahotu)

This is a historical path through the answer of the southern hemisphere in Norway. Around 100 years ago, The Spectator declared Milford Track the "most beautiful hiking trail in the world" - and you can see why.

The Alpine crossing includes New Zealand's highest waterfall, breathtaking valleys and rivers and of course New Zealand's famous fjords shaped by glaciers. The southern Alps hit Milford Sound in a dramatic way in the southern Ocean, where the iconic 1,692 m (5,551 foot) high summits of Mitre Peak (Rahotu), which penetrates the clouds, rises above the water of the beryllfjord.

On a sunny day in the Fiordland National Park, the scenery is like on a postcard. When it rains, water flows plunge intensely over the steep cliffs and deliver fog and rainbows that ensure a completely different experience.

Kepler Track, South Island

distance: 60km duration: 3-4 TASCHWEITICHT: Means of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = "Great Walks of New Zealand Kepler Track"> Dream time The Kepler Track is specially made to show the best of Fiordland

In contrast to many of the Great Walks of New Zealand, which have developed from Maori Trails or Pioneer Clunging routes, the Kepler Track is completely tailored-designed to present the best properties of Fiordland. The route makes walking easier because most of the streams are bridged, cover wooden walkways, cover swampy sections and climb the steeper sections.

like the Milford Track is also the Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park. However, the Kepler is a carefully planned way that offers hikers endless views of every landscape of the fjordland: moss -covered beech forests, high -towering mountain chains, thunderous waterfalls, huge valleys carved by glaciers, lush river levels and incredible limestone formations.

Routeburn Track, South Island

distance: 33km duration: 2-3 TASCHWISHENTRATION: Means of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = “Great Walks by New Zealand Routeburn”> Atlas & Boots A typical view of the Routeburn Track

The world -famous Routeburn Track follows the Routeburn River through ice -carved valleys in the shade of majestic peaks. The Alpine route crosses the Southern Alps and the Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. With endless glorious views that extend over wide mountain chains and valleys, this is probably the greatest of the Great Walks of New Zealand.

Wonderful waterfalls, moss -covered forests and reflective mountain lakes underline the already remarkable mountain landscape on this beautiful hiking trail. The only disadvantage is that it no longer stops.

rakiura-track, stewart island

distance: 32km duration: 3 TaSchwigkility: light/medium more information: doc.govt.nz

alt = "Great Walks on the New Zealand island of Stewart"> Dream time Only a few tourists make it to Stewart Island

on Stewart Island, an hour's drive on the ferry from Bluff at the southernmost point of the South Island, is the peaceful Rakiura Track. Very few tourists manage to join the approximately 400 inhabitants of this quiet island reserve.

The route that can be walked almost exclusively follows the open coast, climbs over forested mountain backs and crosses the protected bays by Stewart Island.

Paparoa and Pike29 Memorial Track

Opening 2019 distance: 55km duration: 2-3 TASCHWEICHTEN: Means of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = "Great Walks of New Zealand Pfannkuchenfelsen"> Atlas & Boots The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks at the end of the way

from the nine Great Walks of New Zealand will soon become ten. The Paparoa and Pike29 Memorial Track will open in 2019 and winds through river gorges, limestone rocks and beech forests and subtropical Nīkau palms.

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With stories of 50 incredible hiking routes in 30 countries, including several of the Great Walks of New Zealand, Lonely Planets Epic Hikes of the World will inspire a lifelong adventure on foot.

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