8 short walks on the South Island with great view

8 short walks on the South Island with great view

We discuss eight short hikes on the South Island, which show New Zealand's extraordinary landscape in just one short walk

If you have no time or legs for the Great Walks of New Zealand, these short walks on the South Island are the next best. With grandiose views that are in no way inferior to some long -distance hiking trail, these fast hikes show the best of New Zealand's diverse and sometimes bizarre landscape without painful feet, sweaty back and muddy boots.

short walks on the South Island

All these short walks on the South Island are well maintained and well signposted, with simple access and parking spaces nearby. They are ideal for those who travel to the South Island by car or motorhome.

sidewalk of the Kaikoura peninsula

Distance: 11.7 km duration: 3 hours more information: doc.govt.nz

Alt = "Short island on the South Island of New Zealand Kaikoura"> Atlas & Boots New Zealand Southern Alps meet the Pacific Ocean

At Kaikoura, New Zealand's southern Alps hit the Pacific Ocean in a dramatic way. The peninsula protrudes from the rugged east coast of the South Island and has some excellent viewing platforms on the cliffs. In the back of the snow -covered Seaward Kaikoura Range, this is a wonderful place to observe a number of wild animals, including whales, dolphins, fur seals, penguins and Albatrosse.

The entire hike can take up to three hours and you can extend or shorten it if you want. The best starting point for the hike is Point Kean, but the complete hike can begin in the municipality of South Bay or West End.

Lake Matheson / Te Ara Kairaumati hike

Distance: 2.6 km duration: 1 hour further information: doc.govt.nz

alt = “Short island on the South Island of New Zealand Lake Matheson”> Atlas & Boots One of the calmest views in New Zealand

My favorite of our short hikes on the South Island shows the highest and second highest mountains of New Zealand. Aoraki / Mount Cook at 3,724 m (12,218 ft) and Mount Tasman at 3,497 m (11,473 ft) rise above the calm, reflective waters of the Lake Matheson and offer one of the most postcard perfectioned views throughout New Zealand. Both peaks can be seen from all perspectives in the quiet lake, which is located in the middle of lush and ancient forests.

ōkārito trig walk

Distance: 4.2 km back and forth duration: 1 hour further information: doc.govt.nz

Alt = “Short island on the South Island of New Zealand Okarito”> Atlas & Boots The Trig Walk is one of several hiking trails around the lagoon of ōkārito

The coastal settlement ōkārito and the ōkārito lagoon are located just a few kilometers north of the Franz Josef Glacier. There are several hiking trails in the area, but we chose the Trig Walk, which includes part of Wetland Walk over the lagoon.

The Trig Walk is a short but exhausting hike to a viewpoint, where you can expect a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding sea, the mouth, the cliffs, the lush forest and of course the southern Alps.

Franz-Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata or Hine Hukatere Walk

Distance: 5.4 km duration: 1-2 hours more information: doc.govt.nz

Alt = “Short hikes on the South Island-the Franz-Josef Glacier appeared from the clouds”> Atlas & Boots Franz-Josef Glacier at the end of the valley hike

The Franz-Josef Gletscher is located in the Westland-Tai-Poutini National Park on the west coast of the South Island and once stretched from the mountains to the sea. After thousands of withdrawal, the glacier is now 19 km inland and can only be reached by helicopter. The helicopter hikes are often canceled because of bad weather, so the next best way of the Valley Walk is a viewpoint near the end wall.

Read our full report on the hike here: Fight-wing weather at the Franz-Josef Glacier.

Moeraki Boulders Walk

Distance: 1 km duration: 30 minutes of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = "Short island on the South Island of New Zealand Moeraki rock boulders"> Atlas & Boots Moeraki Boulders, a group of spherical rocks on Koekohe Beach am Otago

The Moeraki Boulders are an accumulation of almost perfect spherical rocks that are scattered along the Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast. These concretions, which are about two meters wide and several tons of tons, have fallen into the sea after the erosion of the coastal cliffs above. Boulders are still exposed when waves wash away the mud stone that embeds them in the cliffs.

The boulders are just a short walk down to the beach and along the coast from the parking lot, where there is a café with an excellent view of the coast.

Blue Pools-Track

Distance: 1.5 km duration: 1 hour further information: doc.govt.nz

Alt = “Short island on the South Island of New Zealand Blue Pools”> Dream time The freshwater pools near Makarora

Disconnected in the depths of a quiet beech and podocarp forest is a collection of crystal clear pools with deep, icy water. The quiet pools lead to the Makarora river, where two rotary bridges offer an excellent view. It is possible to cross the bridges and continue the path to enjoy the view along the gorge.

The recently restored route is located on Haast Highway for about 20 minutes west of Makarora.

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk

Distance: 1.1 km duration: 30 minutes of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = “South Island short walks Pancake Rocks”> Atlas & Boots The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks at the end of the way

The Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes in Punakaiki mark the end of the soon 10th Great Walk of New Zealand. The Paparoa and Pike29 Memorial Track will open in 2019. The curious limestone formations, which are located next to the wild Tasman lake, are the most spectacular in flood. The route is continuously provided with wooden stands with several viewpoints and signs.

the abusons

Distance: 1 km duration: 30 minutes of information: Doc.govt.nz

Alt = “Short island on the South Island of New Zealand Abyss 1 ″> Atlas & Boots glacier water flow through The Chasm

After exploring the nearby Milford Sound in the morning, we stopped at The Chasm. The short walk crosses two pedestrian bridges over the Cleddau River with a spectacular view of a number of waterfalls. The rapidly flowing and swirling water has set up shapes and pools in the rocks for thousands of years, which ensures a dramatic scene in the lush forest.

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Are you looking for a little longer? With stories of 50 incredible hiking routes in 30 countries, Lonely Planets Epic Hikes of the World will inspire a lifelong adventure on foot.

main picture: Atlas & Boots

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