9 great hiking trails in New Zealand

9 great hiking trails in New Zealand

The nine Great Walks of New Zealand showcase the best of the country's vast wilderness and sublime landscapes

New Zealand is criss-crossed by hiking trails: short walks through city parks, extraordinary day hikes and lake tours, and 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 nine Great Walks of New Zealand are scattered across the country. Designated as exceptional, these trails showcase the best of New Zealand's wilderness.

The country has thousands of miles of hiking trails, but it is these well-maintained and easy-to-follow world-class trails, managed by the Department of Conservation, that lead through the country's greatest landscape.

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

Lake Waikaremoana, North Island

Distance: 46 kmDuration: 3-4 daysDifficulty: MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great Walks of New Zealand Lake Waikaremoana">DreamtimeThe trail largely follows the shores of Lake Waikaremoana

Every shade of green can be seen at Lake Waikaremoana and its surroundings. Blessed with the largest area of ​​native forest in the North Island as well as the magical Goblin Forest, the trail largely follows the shores of Lake Waikaremoana. Although the trail follows the shore, it regularly branches off into areas of wetlands and forests, with deserted beaches and waterfalls also appearing along the way.

Tongariro Northern Circuit, NORTH ISLAND

Distance: 43kmDuration: 3-4 daysDifficulty: MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great hikes in New Zealand Tongariro Northern Circuit">DreamtimeThe Emerald Lakes on the Tongariro Northern Circuit

The first section of the Tongariro Northern Circuit follows the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, named by National Geographic as one of the best day hikes in the world. The hiking only gets better when the entire route takes in the volcanic terrain of the central North Island.

The trail passes the perfectly circular cone of Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand's most active volcano with 61 eruptions since 1839. Further on, a medley of otherworldly colors await you thanks to volcanic minerals, glacial valleys, beech forests and emerald lakes.

Whanganui trip, NORTH ISLAND

Distance: 87 or 145 kmDuration: 3 or 5 daysDifficulty: CanoeingMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great Walks of New Zealand Whanganui River">DreamtimeThe Whanganui River is New Zealand's longest navigable river

Let the water run and swap your hiking boots for a pair of water shoes on this tranquil river trip. Canoe or kayak from Taumarunui to Pipiriki on New Zealand's longest navigable river, the Whanganui River, which has actually been granted the same legal rights as humans. Although this is not a walking trail, the journey is managed under the Great Walks system.

Drifting gently downstream through steep gorges, this journey takes visitors far beyond the clutches of modern civilization. Instead, complete tranquility awaits you, along with abundant birdlife and forestry clinging to the cliffs and coastline.

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

Abel Tasman Coast Track, SOUTH ISLAND

Distance: 60 kmDuration: 3-5 daysDifficulty: easy/mediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

This beautiful coastal walk is located in Abel Tasman National Park, named after the Dutch sailor Abel Janszoon Tasman. He was the first known European to reach New Zealand during his 1642 voyage.

We hiked a section of the trail as part of our South Island multi-sport tour and were completely blown away by the hilly trail and its golden beaches, clear waters and lush native bush.

It is possible to walk the entire trail in either direction or use water taxis or kayaks to get between locations along the way. We hiked 8 miles from Anchorage to Bark Bay in the morning before kayaking back to Marahau in the afternoon.

Heaphy Track, SOUTH ISLAND

Distance: 78kmDuration: 4-6 daysDifficulty: MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Difficult route Great Walks of New Zealand">DreamtimeThe Heaphy Track is a more challenging hike

This challenging ancient Maori trail on the west coast of the South Island offers the stark contrast to the Great Walks of New Zealand. Often overlooked by the more famous Milford, Routeburn and Abel Tasman trails, the landscape on the Heaphy Track frequently changes from lush rainforest and tussock grassland to rugged mountains and palm-fringed beaches with rolling surf.

The route is known for its wildlife, particularly its birdlife, as it is home to many Great Spotted Kiwi Birds. The route is located in Kahurangi National Park. Kahurangi means “cherished possession” in Maori; an indication of what awaits hikers in New Zealand's second largest national park.

Milford Track, SOUTH ISLAND

Distance: 54kmDuration: 4 daysDifficulty: Easy/MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great Walks of New Zealand Milford Track">DreamtimeThe iconic 1,692m peak of Miter Peak (Rahotu)

This is a historic path through the Southern Hemisphere's response to Norway. Around 100 years ago, The Spectator declared the Milford Track “the most beautiful hiking trail in the world” – and you can see why.

The Alpine crossing takes in New Zealand's highest waterfall, stunning valleys and rivers and of course New Zealand's famous glacier-carved fjords. The Southern Alps meet the Southern Ocean in dramatic fashion at Milford Sound, where the iconic cloud-piercing 1,692 m (5,551 ft) peak of Miter Peak (Rahotu) rises above the waters of Beryl Fjord.

On a sunny day in Fiordland National Park, the scenery is like something out of a postcard. When it rains, streams of water rush intensely over the steep cliffs, delivering mist and rainbows that make for a completely different experience.

Kepler Track, SOUTH ISLAND

Distance: 60kmDuration: 3-4 daysDifficulty: MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great Walks of New Zealand Kepler Track">DreamtimeThe Kepler Track is custom-built to showcase the best of Fiordland

Unlike many of the Great Walks of New Zealand, which have developed from Maori trails or pioneer exploration routes, the Kepler Track is completely bespoke - designed to showcase the best features of Fiordland. The route makes walking easier as most of the streams are bridged, boardwalks cover swampy sections and climb up the steeper sections.

Like the Milford Track, the Kepler Track is located in Fiordland National Park. However, the Kepler is a carefully planned trail that offers hikers endless views of every landscape in Fiordland: moss-covered beech forests, towering mountain ranges, roaring waterfalls, vast glacier-carved valleys, lush river plains and incredible limestone formations.

Routeburn Track, SOUTH ISLAND

Distance: 33kmDuration: 2-3 daysDifficulty: MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great Walks of New Zealand Routeburn">Atlas & BootsA typical view on the Routeburn Track

The world-famous Routeburn Track follows the Routeburn River through ice-carved valleys in the shadow of majestic peaks. The alpine route crosses the Southern Alps and the Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks. With endless magnificent views stretching across vast mountain ranges and valleys, this is probably the grandest of the Great Walks of New Zealand.

Magnificent waterfalls, moss-covered forests and reflecting mountain lakes punctuate the already remarkable mountain scenery on this beautiful hiking trail. The only downside is that it doesn't last longer.

Rakiura Trail, Stewart ISLAND

Distance: 32kmDuration: 3 daysDifficulty: Easy/MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great Walks on New Zealand's Stewart Island">DreamtimeOnly a few tourists make it to Stewart Island

On Stewart Island, an hour's ferry ride from Bluff at the southernmost point of the South Island, lies the peaceful Rakiura Track. Very few tourists make it here to join the 400 or so residents of this quiet island reserve.

The almost entirely boarded route largely follows the open coast, climbing over forested ridges and crossing the sheltered bays of Stewart Island.

Paparoa and Pike29 Memorial Track

Opening 2019 Distance: 55kmDuration: 2-3 daysDifficulty: MediumMore information: doc.govt.nz

alt="Great Walks of New Zealand Pancake Rocks">Atlas & BootsThe Punakaiki Pancake Rocks at the end of the path

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

At the end of the trail, look out for the Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes in Punakaiki. The bizarre rock formations are the perfect place to end a hike, sit back and enjoy an incredible Tasman Sea sunset.

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

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