Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track in New Zealand

Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track in New Zealand

Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track, either as a day hike or a multi-day thru-hike, should be on every New Zealand itinerary

New Zealand is a country used to collecting praise. Few experts will dispute that it is one of the best hiking countries in the world. It is among the 10 happiest countries in the world and was named one of the best countries to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet.

With this in mind, our expectations were high for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of nine (soon to be 10) Great Walks of New Zealand. Managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), these world-class trails showcase the best of New Zealand's wilderness.

The well-maintained coastal path is located in Abel Tasman National Park, named after the Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first known European to reach New Zealand during his voyage in 1642.

The hilly path, lined with golden beaches and lush coastal bush, hugs the coast for much of its 60km. We hiked a section from Anchorage to Bark Bay on our G Adventures tour of the South Island.

We began our hike after a night aboard Aquapackers in the quiet Anchorage Bay. In the morning, after a hearty breakfast on board, we landed on the picturesque beach to start our hike. We took the slightly longer all-tide route so as not to have to calculate the tides.

alt=“Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track 1″>Atlas & BootsHiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track

It was late summer and the days were warm, so we wanted to take advantage of the morning and avoid the midday sun. We expected to complete the 12.4km section in far less time than the conservative DOC suggestion of four hours. However, we didn't expect to stop every five minutes to take in the beautiful scenery.

From the beach we entered a dense, lush beech forest adorned with huge kānuka trees. Just a few minutes later we appeared in an opening at the crest of a hill. There we found the first of many expansive views.

I knew that the South Island was famous for its Tolkien-esque landscape of jagged mountain peaks, large glaciers and steep fjords. I wasn't expecting sheltered golden beaches fringed by calm aquamarine waters and dense, lush forest.

alt=“Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track 7″>Atlas & BootsView of the Abel Tasman Coast Track

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a gentle addition to New Zealand's rugged landscape. There are countless opportunities to take side paths down to a beach and take off your hiking boots for a swim. The water – even at this time of year – is invigorating but inviting.

We continued along the well-marked path - in and out of the forest, hopping over streams and then crossing a walkway over the pools of Tregidga Creek, where the motionless water reflects the greenery of the surrounding forests. Further on we crossed the 47m long suspension bridge that spans the Falls River, which provided another change of scenery.

We soon reached Bark Bay, a pretty beach on a tree-lined strip of land flanked by the bay on one side and a tidal estuary on the other. Here we relaxed on the sand and ate our lunch with our toes in the water.

We ended our morning the same way it began: soft sand, calm water, and a profound calm.

Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park

Our itinerary included an afternoon of kayaking on the water from Bark Bay to Marahau. Kayaking is a perfect way to take the stress off your feet and see the national park from a different perspective.

The water here is protected by the small islands on the horizon and so our journey was peaceful and calm. Along the way we saw several fur seals (also known as kekeno) basking in the afternoon sun on the rocky shores.

alt=“Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track by kayak 3″>Atlas & BootsSee the national park from a different perspective

Many of the islands along the coast are protected, so kayakers must maintain a respectful distance from the shores to avoid disturbing wildlife. Kayakers (and motorized vessels) must stay 20m away from Tonga, Pinnacle and Adele Islands, as well as seals on other shorelines. Near the area between Awaroa Bay and west of Abel Head it is 50m. Our kayak trip was led by Marahau Sea Kayaks who were keen to emphasize the importance of adhering to these guidelines.

As we gently drifted back to Marahau Beach, Kia took a break from paddling (once again) to look at the scenery and take a few photos.

“Welcome to New Zealand,” she said, turning to me with a smile. And what a welcome.

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The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a one-way track that can be walked in either direction between Marahau and Wainui. Water taxis or kayaks can be used to get between locations along the way, to break up days or if you only want to walk certain sections.

Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track as a continuous hike typically takes three to five days, with camping or overnight stays in huts along the way. The DOC manages four cabins and 19 campsites along the route, which must be booked in advance all year round. For more information, visit the DOC website, where there are details on accommodation, fees, water taxis, kayaking, and even a visitor app you can download for your visit.

The times listed below are fairly conservative, allowing plenty of time for photography and admiring the lush views.

*The Abel Tasman Coast Track walk includes a mandatory tidal crossing between Awaroa and Whariwharangi Bay. Consult a tide schedule when organizing a hike.

Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track: The most important thing

What: Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track as part of a 15-day South Island tour with G Adventures.

Where: Accommodation on the tour includes 14 nights in basic hotels and hostels, including a farm stay and a night in a former prison. Some accommodations had shared bathrooms and bunk beds. If you are a couple, highlight this when booking so that you can have a double bed if possible.

When: The best time to travel to New Zealand is Sep-Apr. Summer (December to February) offers excellent hiking weather and a variety of festivals and events. The fall (Mar-Apr) and spring (Sep-Nov) shoulder seasons have nice weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.

How: We hiked the Abel Tasman Coast Track as part of a 15-day South Island tour from G Adventures, priced at £2,149 or $2,792 per person (depending on date) for a 15-day trip from Wellington to Wellington.

The itinerary takes you through the Abel Tasman National Park, Franz Josef and Queenstown, among other places. The price includes a full-time Chief Experience Officer (CEO), a simple breakfast and several meals, and numerous activities such as hiking, kayaking and cycling. Optional activities include skydiving, bungy jumping, canyoning, via ferrata and glacier hiking. For more information or to book, call 0344 272 2040 or visit gadventures.com.

We flew from the UK to New Zealand via Singapore and Australia. Book flights at the best prices through Skyscanner.

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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.

Disclosure: We traveled to New Zealand with support from Lonely Planet and G Adventures. All publications say this, but we really don't guarantee positive coverage. We say what we think – good and bad – so you can make informed decisions with honest advice. .