New Zealand’s Great Walks: How to Pick the Best Track March 12th, 2025 • by Jessica Fox Towering snow-capped peaks, volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, glacier-carved valleys, and golden beaches—a diverse array of landscapes define New Zealand’s Great Walks. And if you love adventure and want a glimpse of the Kiwi heart, your visit would be incomplete without a day hike or tramp (a multi-day hiking trip) on one of the Great Walks. As you explore, you’ll encounter more than scenic vistas—you’ll gain insight into the culture, where spending time in nature, the Maori heritage, and gold-mining past influence the national identity. No matter which track you choose, it will make your New Zealand hiking tour truly incredible. What are New Zealand’s Great Walks? The Great Walks, a network of eleven well-maintained tracks, were established in 1992 by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation to provide access to the country’s most remarkable trails while protecting and preserving them. Considered among the best hikes in New Zealand, these trails were previously overwhelmed by visitors. Now, use is limited through a permit system, providing hikers with the immersion in nature they crave and the tranquility that wildlife and ecosystems need to thrive. Plus, you don’t need to be a backcountry expert to hike in this country’s wildest places—making them a perfect addition to any South Pacific tour. But with so many unforgettable trails, how do you decide which one is right for you? We’ll break down New Zealand’s Great Walks by difficulty, highlight the diverse wildlife you might spot along the way, and share how these treks can seamlessly fit into your trip. Huts and Camping on the Great Walk When planning an overnight tramp on New Zealand’s Great Walks, you’ll typically have two accommodation options: New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) huts or designated campsites, depending on the trail. DOC huts are basic shelters located at strategic points along the tracks. These rustic structures provide essential amenities such as bunk beds with mattresses, a water supply, toilets, and heating (in most cases). Cooking facilities are usually communal, and trampers must bring sleeping bags, food, and cooking equipment. Camping is permitted on select Great Walks, including the Abel Tasman, Heaphy, Lake Waikaremoana, and Rakiura tracks. However, the Milford, Routeburn, and Paparoa tracks only offer hut accommodations. Whichever you choose, both require advance bookings through the Department of Conservation, especially during the peak season. In addition to being a beloved tradition, tramping ranks among the best things to do in New Zealand, allowing you to experience the backcountry’s night-time highlights (spectacular stargazing and kiwi sightings!). New Zealand’s Great Walks, Ranked by Difficulty Choosing the right Great Walk depends on your experience level, the type of scenery you want to explore, and how much time you have. Some tracks are leisurely coastal strolls, while others traverse remote alpine ridges and wilderness. As you plan your trip, keep in mind that walking season starts at the end of October and lasts through the end of April. Below, we’ve ranked the Great Walks from easiest to most challenging, with details on what to expect, New Zealand wildlife you might observe, and options for shorter day hikes. Easiest Great Walks These trails offer a relaxed pace and spectacular scenery, perfect for those looking for an easy-going adventure. Abel Tasman Track Where: South Island What to Expect: Golden beaches and crystal-clear waters Total Distance: 60 km (37 miles) Tour Activity Level: Easy Best For: Gentle terrain, stunning coastal views, and beach access Flora and Fauna: Fur seals (kekeno), little blue penguins (korora), tui birds, bellbirds (korimako), Nelson green gecko (moko kakariki, a striking emerald-colored endemic species that can live up to 30 years), coastal podocarp forest, manuka trees One of the more accessible Great Walks (and some argue it’s the best), the Abel Tasman Track winds through golden beaches, lush native bush, and stunning turquoise waters. The track follows the coastline of New Zealand’s smallest national park, where the temperate climate makes it enjoyable year-round. At low tide, you can walk across pristine estuaries and discover hidden coves unreachable by other means. Walkers can walk the entire track or take water taxis between sections, and there are clear signs throughout, making navigating easy. What makes this track particularly special is the opportunity to combine hiking with kayaking, a unique feature among the Great Walks that lets you experience this coastal paradise from both land and sea. Day Hike Option: Boundless Journeys’ Alpine and Coastal adventure tour opens with a walk along a section of this scenic trail. However, if you’d like to explore further, you can walk to Anchorage Bay or Cleopatra’s Pool, where a freshwater swimming hole and natural waterslide await. Rakiura Track Where: South Island What to Expect: Dense forest, tranquility, seclusion Total Distance: 32 km (20 miles) Tour Activity Level: Easy to moderate Best For: Travelers seeking seclusion, unique birdlife, and history Flora and Fauna to Watch For: Kiwi birds, takahe, kaka parrots (kaka), Stewart Island robin (toutouwai, genetically distinct from mainland robins and known for their curious behavior around humans), yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), flame tree (rata), tree ferns (ponga), tussock grasses, Stewart Island forget-me-not (kohukohu) The Rakiura Track offers a peaceful hiking experience on Stewart Island. The island is called Rakiura in the Maori language, which means “the land of glowing skies,” a reference to the Aurora Australis that often appears in its skies. If you overnight, you’ll discover there’s almost no light pollution, which makes it one of the best places to spot a wild kiwi in its natural habitat. Even if you don’t spend the night, the Rakiura Track’s thick, primordial-feeling forests and sweeping coastal views are bewitching. As you walk this trail, you’ll spy evidence of the past occupants of the island: Maori, whalers and sealers, saw-millers, boat-builders, gold prospectors, and settlers. Day Hike Option: The Observation Rock Walk is a quick, 30-minute return hike with panoramic views of Paterson Inlet. Whanganui Journey Where: North Island What to Expect: A river adventure by canoe Total Distance: 145 km (90 miles, canoeing, not hiking) Tour Activity Level: Easy to moderate Best For: Confident paddlers looking for a unique river journey Flora and Fauna to Watch For: Blue ducks (whio), wood pigeons (kereru), longfin eels (tuna), lamprey (piharau, an ancient jawless fish species that’s remained virtually unchanged for 360 million years), fantails (piwakawaka), native forest, tree ferns (ponga), orchids Unlike the other Great Walks, there’s little hiking involved on the Whanganui Journey. Instead, you’ll travel by canoe or kayak down the Whanganui River. The route takes adventurers through dramatic gorges, native forests, and historic Maori sites. If you’re eager to do some on-land exploring, stop off to hike to the Bridge to Nowhere. It’s a relic from when the Mangapurua Valley was provided as farmland to WWI soldiers upon their return home. In 1942, after years of fruitless cultivation of the valley’s poor soils, the soldiers walked off their land, and now the bridge is all that’s left. Day Hike Option: A half-day or full-day paddle allows visitors to experience the most scenic sections without committing to a multi-day trip. Moderate Great Walks Ready to take on a bit more? These moderate trails offer diverse landscapes and a bit more adventure. Heaphy Track Where: South Island What to Expect: An extraordinary, one-way journey through diverse landscapes in Kahurangi National Park Total Distance: 78 km (48 miles) Tour Activity Level: Moderate Best For: Hikers hoping to journey through rainforest, alpine, and coastal scenery in one trek Flora and Fauna To Watch For: Great spotted kiwi (roroa), tui, fur seals (kekeno), Powelliphanta (a giant carnivorous snail unique to New Zealand that can live for up to 20 years and grows as large as your fist), nikau palms, tree ferns (ponga) One of the most varied routes in New Zealand, the Heaphy Track follows a path between Golden Bay and Karamea that was forged by Golden Bay Maori jade hunters and mid-19th-century gold prospectors. The Heaphy’s route winds through the lush rainforest, sub-alpine tussock grasslands, and rugged West Coast beaches. Along the trail, you’ll come across interesting rock formations and caves, and as you pass through Gouland Downs, you may spot an endangered takahe, which was reintroduced in 2018. Day Hike Option: Because the Heaphy track is a one-way, standalone journey, there are only two access points, making day hiking options limited. You can certainly go to either access point and walk as far in and back as time allows. Paparoa Track Where: South Island What to Expect: Nikau palm glades, alpine tops, limestone cliffs & rainforest, views of the Tasman Sea Total Distance: 55 km (34 miles) Tour Activity Level: Moderate Best For: Those preferring a less-traveled Great Walk with diverse scenery and terrain Flora and Fauna to Watch For: Westland petrels (taiko), New Zealand falcons (karearea), bellbirds (korimako), brown creepers (pipipi), cave weta (tokoriro, prehistoric-looking insects that have remained virtually unchanged for over 190 million years), giant land snails, ferns, fuchsia trees (kotukutuku), flame trees (southern rata) The Paparoa Track, New Zealand’s newest Great Walk (opened in 2019), offers a less-crowded alternative to some of the more famous routes. Connecting the South Island communities of Blackball and Punakaiki, the track crosses the sharp ridges, river canyons, and cliffs of the Paparoa Range, an area rich in gold-mining history. As you hike, you’ll pass through ancient podocarp forests where nikau palms create a tropical atmosphere, then climb to exposed ridge tops with panoramic views of the rugged West Coast. If you seek solitude and nature, try a tramp on the remote Paparoa Track, but be prepared for all sorts of weather! Conditions in Paparoa National Park are very changeable, and rain, snow, ice, fog, and wind are possible any time of year. Day Hike Option: For a rewarding day experience, hike from the Smoke-ho car park to the Pororari River Track, a 7-km section showcasing the limestone gorge and lush rainforest. Challenging Great Walks For hikers seeking a challenge, these trails combine breathtaking scenery with rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. Kepler Track Where: South Island What to Expect: A loop through alpine ridges and rainforests Total Distance: 60 km (37 miles) Tour Activity Level: Challenging Best For: Adventurers seeking dramatic ridgelines, forested valleys, and expansive lake views Flora and Fauna to Watch For: Takahe, kea parrots, long-tailed bats (pekapeka), short-tailed bat (pekapeka-tou-poto, one of the world’s few land-based bats that forage on the forest floor), falcons (karearea), moss-carpeted trees and rocks, alpine flowers, beech forest (tawhai) Purpose-built to showcase the best features of New Zealand’s Fiordland, the Kepler Track begins on the shore of Australasia’s largest body of freshwater, Lake Te Anau, and ascends to follow alpine ridges and descends into glacier-carved valleys. Along the way, you’ll pass stunning waterfalls and lakes, walk through ancient forests, and traverse alpine tops. However, all that beauty takes some work—Kepler’s astonishing views are attained on challenging hikes through changeable weather (you may find yourself forging ahead in stinging rain or high winds). If you go on a multi-day hike on the Kepler, be prepared for incredible night skies—the stargazing is so exceptional that the Fiordland’s first ranger, Richard Henry, named the mountains after 17th-century German astronomer Johannes Kepler. Since our New Zealand tour itinerary finishes in Queenstown, this spectacular Great Walk is a terrific way to extend your trip. Day Hike Option: Brod Bay to the Luxmore Hut is a popular full-day walk. You’ll want to start early, so catch the 8:30am Kepler water taxi from Te Anau. This uphill hike takes you through beech forest to summit Mt. Luxmore and take in spectacular views over Lake Te Anau. Routeburn Track Where: South Island What to Expect: A one-way trail through alpine meadows and captivating vistas in Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks Total Distance: 33 km (20 miles) Tour Activity Level: Challenging Best For: Hikers hungry for snow-capped peaks, roaring waterfalls, reflective tarns, and moss-covered forests Flora and Fauna to Watch For: Kea parrots, blue ducks (whio), weka birds, rock wren (piwauwau, New Zealand’s only true alpine bird that survives year-round in harsh mountain conditions), fuchsia trees (kotukutuku), mountain buttercups, alpine herbs One of the more popular Great Walks, Routeburn is famous for its gorgeous vistas. A narrow, rocky path takes you over Harris Saddle, or Tarahaka Whakatipu, a mountain pass whose views the conservationist William Smith proclaimed as magnificent in the early 1880’s. And indeed they are—standing where Smith may have stood, you can see over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains before you climb toward the emerald-hued Lake Mackenzie. The Routeburn was devised to connect Mount Aspiring National Park to Fiordland National Park. It’s in relatively the same neighborhood as the Kepler Track but offers an entirely different experience. If you’re having trouble deciding between the two, it is possible to do both while you’re in this part of the world. Like the Kepler, Routeburn’s proximity to the city of Queenstown, where our New Zealand tour winds down, makes it an easy way to add a few more days to your adventure! Day Hike Option: If you don’t have several days to explore the Routeburn Track but are keen to see a slice of its spectacular scenery, hike the Routeburn Falls Hut return. Milford Track Where: South Island What to Expect: Ancient rainforests, McKinnon Pass, jaw-dropping waterfalls, suspension bridges Total Distance: 53 km (33 miles) Tour Activity Level: Challenging Best For: Hikers seeking fjord landscapes, waterfalls, and alpine scenery Flora and Fauna to Watch For: Kea parrots, blue ducks (whio), kaka parrots, weka birds, New Zealand falcon (karearea, the country’s fastest bird that can dive at speeds over 230 km/h to catch prey), glowworms (titiwai), tree ferns (ponga), mosses, beech forests (tawhai) One of the world’s great wilderness walks, New Zealand’s Milford Track takes hikers through Fiordland National Park, past Sutherland Falls, and over McKinnon Pass. As you arrive at Te Anau Downs to begin, then hike Mararoa Saddle, Fangorn Forest, and Milford Sound, the landscape may look familiar if you’re a J.R.R. Tolkien fan. Scenes from the film adaptation of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (LOTR) were filmed in Fiordland. Even if you aren’t an LOTR enthusiast, the views and scenery throughout this track are nothing short of magic. Stunning waterfalls, including the fifth-highest in the world, the mighty Sutherland Falls, are only part of this Great Walk’s enchantment. There are breathtaking (and not only because of the climb!) vistas as you cross the mountains and pause at McKinnon Pass. Then, there’s a gentle descent through rainforest along the Arthur River to placid Milford Sound. Day Hike Option: For a taste of the ‘Finest Walk in the World,’ take a water taxi from Milford Sound to Sandfly Point. From there, an easy-going walk will lead you along Milford Track to Giant Gate Falls. Want to Go Tramping? Your adventure doesn’t have to end (or begin) when your Boundless Journeys New Zealand tour does! Whether you’re drawn to the serene coastlines of the Abel Tasman Track or the rugged alpine challenges of the Milford Track, New Zealand’s Great Walks offer something for every adventurer. With our knowledge of New Zealand’s landscapes and local insights, we can help you uncover hidden gems wherever the trail may lead you. From seamless logistics to enriching experiences, our expert planning ensures every step is as memorable as the views. Contact us for more information about adding a Great Walk to your trip to New Zealand.