Hiking & Great Walks
Alpine tracks, coastal trails and multi-day hikes that take you through some of New Zealand’s most dramatic and remote landscapes.
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Hike into New Zealand’s wildest landscapes
Hiking in New Zealand takes you beyond the viewpoints and into the landscape itself. Tracks wind through alpine passes, native forest and along open coastline, with each section revealing something different.
Some walks are short and accessible, others take a few days and lead you deeper into remote parts of the country. You might be crossing swing bridges, following rivers through valleys or reaching viewpoints that feel a long way from anywhere.
Whether you’re looking for a full multi-day hike or a guided day walk, there are options to suit different levels of experience and how you want to travel.
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Contact usHiking hotspots
Fiordland National Park
Tongariro National Park
Abel Tasman National Park
Mount Cook National Park
Bucket list hikes
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Milford Track
Routeburn Track
Queen Charlotte Track
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Kepler Track
Plan your hike with locals who know these tracks
With so many tracks across New Zealand, knowing what fits your time, ability and trip makes a big difference.
We’ve hiked these tracks ourselves and understand how they feel day to day. That means we can recommend the right option, whether it’s a multi day track, a shorter guided walk or a combination of both.
Everything is planned around your pace and how you want to travel, so the experience feels balanced and easy.
Prefer a hiking itinerary planned around you?
We’ll shape your itinerary around the hikes you’re drawn to, balancing time on the trail with time to rest and explore.
Get in touchPopular hiking spots in New Zealand
Fiordland
Fiordland is home to some of New Zealand’s best known multi day walks, with tracks leading through alpine passes, lakes and remote valleys. These journeys often unfold over several days, staying in lodges along the way, though shorter guided walks offer a way to experience the landscape without committing to a full track.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 8 - 16 ℃ / 46 - 61 ℉
Summer
December - February
Avg Temp: 15 - 22 ℃ / 59 - 72 ℉
Autum
March - May
Avg Temp: 10 - 18 ℃ / 50 - 64 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: 1 - 10 ℃ / 34 - 50 ℉
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro offers one of the most distinctive hiking landscapes in New Zealand, shaped by volcanic terrain, open plateaus and crater lakes.
Walks here often feel more exposed, with wide views across the landscape and tracks that pass through active geothermal areas. Day walks are a popular option, allowing you to experience the highlights in a single day with guidance and support along the way.
It’s a place where the scenery feels different to anywhere else in the country.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 7 - 15 ℃ / 45 - 59 ℉
Summer
December - Februrary
Avg Temp: 15 - 22 ℃ / 59 - 72 ℉
Autumn
March - May
Avg Temp: 8 - 17 ℃ / 46 - 63 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: -1 - 10 ℃ / 30 - 50 ℉
Mount Cook National Park
Mount Cook National Park offers some of New Zealand’s most striking alpine hiking, with trails set beneath the country’s highest peaks.
Walks here are often shorter but incredibly rewarding, leading through glacial valleys, across swing bridges and up to viewpoints that open out to snow covered mountains and ice fields. It’s less about multi day trekking and more about accessible hikes that deliver dramatic scenery without needing to go deep into the backcountry.
This region is ideal if you want to experience alpine landscapes without committing to a longer track, with a range of walks that can be done in a few hours.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 8 - 13 ℃ / 46 - 55 ℉
Summer
December - February
Avg Temp: 13 - 19 ℃ / 55 - 66 ℉
Autumn
March - May
Avg Temp: 9 - 15 ℃ / 48 - 59 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: 1 - 7 ℃ / 34 - 45 ℉
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman offers a different kind of walking experience, shaped by coastline, forest and slower movement.
Tracks follow the shoreline, linking beaches, bays and native bush. You can walk sections of the track, combine it with kayaking or take a more flexible approach, moving between locations by boat.
It’s a more relaxed style of hiking, where the focus is as much on where you stop as where you walk.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 14 - 19 ℃ / 57 - 66 ℉
Summer
December - February
Avg Temp: 21 - 24 ℃ / 70 - 75 ℉
Autumn
March - May
Avg Temp: 16 - 21 ℃ / 61 - 70 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: 10 - 14 ℃ / 50 - 57 ℉
Queenstown & Wānaka
Queenstown & Wānaka combine alpine scenery with a range of walking options, from shorter day hikes to sections of longer tracks.
Walks here often include elevated views across lakes and mountain ranges, with tracks that vary in difficulty depending on how far you want to go.
It’s a good base if you want to mix hiking with other experiences, choosing a few standout walks rather than committing to a full multi day track.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 8 - 16 ℃ / 46 - 61 ℉
Summer
December - February
Avg Temp: 20 - 28 ℃ / 68 - 82 ℉
Autumn
March - May
Avg Temp: 10 - 22 ℃ / 50 - 72 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: -2 - 8 ℃ / 28 - 46 ℉
Popular Hiking Tours
Hiking & Great Walks FAQs
Not necessarily. There are options ranging from short guided walks to multi day tracks, and we can recommend something that suits your experience level.
Day walks are shorter and completed in a few hours, while Great Walks are multi day tracks that take you deeper into remote areas.
On some multi day walks, luggage can be transferred between lodges, allowing you to walk with just a day pack.
Accommodation on Great Walks varies depending on how you choose to walk. On standard tracks, you’ll typically stay in Department of Conservation huts, which are simple but well located along the route.
For a more comfortable experience, there are also lodge based options available on tracks like the Milford Track and Routeburn Track. These stays offer a higher level of comfort in remote locations, with features like private or shared rooms, hot showers, provided meals and welcoming lounge areas to relax in at the end of the day.
Meals are taken care of, often including cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and multi course dinners.
It’s a good option if you want to experience the same landscapes and walks, but with a bit more comfort and support along the way.
Spring through autumn generally offers the best conditions, though some walks are available year round depending on location.
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Talk to our local travel specialists
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