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Popular Walks
-
Hooker Valley Track
(20 ticks) -
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
(16 ticks) -
Milford Track
(14 ticks) -
Kepler Track
(13 ticks) -
Routeburn Track (At least to Harris Saddle and back)
(12 ticks)
Popular Walks
-
Hooker Valley Track
(20 ticks) -
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
(16 ticks) -
Milford Track
(14 ticks) -
Kepler Track
(13 ticks) -
Routeburn Track (At least to Harris Saddle and back)
(12 ticks)
Walks in North Island NZ
300
m
return
30
mins
Paritutu Rock Summit
A short walk/scramble to the top of Paritutu Rock rewards you with premium coastal views perfect for watching the sunset. Located minutes from downtown New Plymouth.
3.2
km
return
1
hr
Pohaturoa Summit & Lookouts
This walk is in The Redwoods or Whakarewarewa Forest and takes you to the summit of Pohaturoa which is marked by Trig B26Q. It takes you to Lower Whaka and Upper Whaka Lookouts, Trig Lookout and Waipa Lookout. The Whaka Lookouts give views of Rotorua, Lake Rotorua, Whakarewarewa Thermal Area which includes Pohutu Geyser which is said to be the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Mt Ngongotaha, Mokoia Island and more while the Trig and Waipa Lookouts look south. A bubbling mud pool is also passed on the way up.
Watch out for mountain bikes, horses and dogs as they can share some paths with you. There are a lot of different paths as there are many exclusively mountain bike tracks so try not to stray onto them.
19.4
km
one-way
7
hrs
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
This is a wonderfully atmospheric walk through an active volcanic area. It is considered as being one of the best day walks in the world. Highlights include, soda springs which is a waterfall, views of Mt. Ngauruhoe which was used in the lord of the rings films as Mount Doom, south crater, red crater (1868) which is the highest point on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing if done with no diversions, emerald lakes, blue lake and Mt. Tongariro.
10
km
return
3
hrs
Urupukapuka
Urupukapuka is an island criss-crossed with walks. The article covers the main ones.
Walks in South Island NZ
60
km
one-way
4
days
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Discover Cleopatra's Pool – natural rock pool with a moss-lined waterslide.
Admire the beautiful inlet to Falls River as you walk across a 47 m suspension bridge.
Keep an eye out for fur seals/kekeno.
Crystal-clear waters of Tonga Island Marine Reserve.
The track is well marked and signposted, but some sections may be steep and rough and the track could be muddy.
There is one compulsory tidal crossing – check the tide tables for when it's safe to cross.
Part of the Abel Tasman NP. Easy but challenging walk on well maintained coastal track. Day walks are possible as drop off and pick up by water taxi is available. Combining with sea kayaking amongst the seal colony is a special experience. Many coves, beaches, even a few crossings on hanging bridges. Stunning scenery and lots of birds and wildlife.
13.4
km
return
8
hrs
Ben Lomond
A physically challenging ascent to the summit of the most iconic mountain in the Queenstown area.
5
km
return
2
hrs
Castle Hill
Castle Hill Basin lies between the Torlesse and Craigieburn mountain ranges and is characterised by its distinctive limestone rock formations. These limestone rock formations are the water eroded remnants of limestone formed during the Oligocene age 30-40 million years ago when much of present day New Zealand was covered by the sea.
The area is of special cultural, spiritual and historical significance to Ngai Tahu who named it Kura Tawhiti (treasure from afar). Hidden amongst the limestone outcrops of Castle Hill are traces of 500-year old charcoal drawings traditionally said to have been left by the Waitaha, the first people to travel through this area.
5.9
km
return
105
mins
Cowans Hill
The track passes the Church of the Good Shepherd and Dog Statue, along the shoreline, before heading along the edge of an exotic forest to open hillside tussock country and small tarns where wetland birds stop to feed, before heading back down to the Tekapo River through a plantation.
6.6
km
return
2.5
hrs
Fox Glacier Valley Walk
The Fox Glacier Valley Walk follows the south bank of the Fox River through ancient podocarp rainforest. The track heads gently up the valley crossing ancient glacial moraine surfaces, with the forest reflecting the various ages of the glacier moraines which it has colonised and gets you within 4km of the glacier face.
2
km
return
1
hr
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk
Franz Josef Glacier is now just 300m above sea level and 12km long, starting its journey in the neve of Mt Tasman, having once stretched as far as 35km out into the Tasman Sea. As a result of its accessibility, it is one of the most widely visited glaciers in the world.
This walk gives you some sort of perspective of the power of ice and water and includes a view of the spectacular 35m high Trident Falls.
