No matter where you are in New Zealand, you’re never far from a hiking trail – there are literally thousands – and with some of the most beautiful countryside anywhere in the world, hikes through New Zealand are the one of the best ways to see the country.
Misty mountains, emerald fjords, ancient fern forests, cascading waterfalls and miles of black and white sand beaches are just a few of the incredible natural attractions on offer. Here are some of the best hikes in New Zealand both on the South Island and the North Island:
The Best Hikes In New Zealand – South Island
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Abel Tasman is the most popular and one of the least strenuous hikes in New Zealand. With endless golden beaches, subtropical vegetation and clear-blue waters where fur seals play, its not hard to see why. Named after the first European to land on the island’s shores, the Abel Tasman National Park is a paradise for adventure-loving travellers and home to one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’.
The hike is a two-to-five day one-way track that takes you through fern forests, manuka groves and along empty shorelines, where you can choose to camp at the water’s edge.
Other activities include: kayaking, biking, canyoning or lazing on the beach.
Distance: 60 kilometres / 37 miles
Duration: Three to five days
Milford Track
Arguably one of the finest in the world and the gem of all hikes in New Zealand, the Milford Track features forested mountains that ascend out of glacial valleys. Be sure to pack your coat, as this is one of the wettest places on earth with an average annual rainfall of 7 metres (22 ft).
The hike is renowned for its pesky sandflies which can pack a stinging bite, but with views of Mitre Peak – New Zealand’s most photographed mountain – coupled in with the 580 metre (1903 ft) Sutherland Falls, The Milford Track is one you don’t want to rush no matter how hard the sandflies bite.
Distance: 53 kilometres / 33 miles
Duration: Four days
Routeburn Track
Situated at the heart of the South Island, the Routeburn Track is conveniently reachable from Queenstown, showcasing the iconic landscapes New Zealand is renowned for, including sparkling lakes, expansive valleys, and towering mountain summits.
The trail navigates through lush meadows and alpine flora, offering breathtaking panoramas of extensive mountain ranges and deep valleys.
Distance: 32 kilometres / 20 miles one-way
Duration: Two to four days
Rakiura Track
Off the Southern Tip of South Island, lies the remote Stewart Island, famous for its deserted beaches, rugged forests and its large population of Kiwis – a flightless bird, commonly seen along the beaches and the national animal of New Zealand.
The hike run throughs expansive coastline, crosses forested interior and meanders along the sheltered shores of Paterson Inlet. Various historical sites lie along this track and parts of it cross Maori land, access is courtesy of the land owners.
Distance: 32 kilometre / 20 mile loop
Duration: Three days
Heaphy Track
Another secluded trail, the Heaphy Track is situated along the untamed west coast of the South Island and stands as the most extensive among the Great Walks. This meandering path traverses through wide-open tussock fields and dense palm forests, with bridges spanning all rivers and streams. The entire journey spans four days, though shorter day hikes are an option for those with limited time.
Distance: 82 kilometres / 49 miles on way
Duration: Four days, with day routes available.
Kepler Track
In the southwest corner of South Island, the circular Kepler Track begins and ends five kilometres from Te Anau and takes hikers through lush beech forests and epic alpine ridgelines. Walkways are made up of gravel, rock and dirt and can be slippery when wet.
Rivers and large waterways have sturdy bridges to cross over and most small streams are easy enough to step across safely. The track also features hill climbs with steep pathways and panoramic views,
Distance: 60 kilometres / 37-mile loop
Duration: Three to four days
Mount Alfred
The peak of Mount Alfred, located near Glenorchy in Queenstown, presents breathtaking panoramic vistas that are among New Zealand’s finest, featuring snow-draped mountains, scenic rivers, tranquil lakes, and lush rainforests.
Taking approximately three hours, the ascent winds through diverse flora, crosses mountain streams and waterfalls, and opens up to clearings with stunning views that preview the summit’s splendor.
On the way back, you’ll follow the same path to the valley below. Holding a refreshing beverage, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the day’s adventure and the beauty of the mountains.
Distance: 1400 metres / 1 mile
Duration: Three to Four hours
Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond is a challenging track with a steep, 1438 metre ascent in elevation, and a path that leads through lush tree lines, alpine tussocks and shrubbery. But the view from the top makes it all worth it.
The 1748 metre summit offers 360 degree views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. And on clear days, you can spot Mount Pikirakatahi/Earnslaw and Tititea/Aspiring in the distance.
Distance: 11 kilometres / 6.8 miles
Duration: Six to eight hours
Roy’s Peak
Roy’s Peak is renowned for being among the most spectacular hiking experiences in New Zealand. Located between Wanaka and Glendhu Bay, this 16-kilometre day hike starts on a sharply winding dirt path that ascends into alpine meadows and tussock grasslands.
Atop Mount Roy, hikers are rewarded with unparalleled views of Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring/Tititea, and the encompassing mountain ranges.
Distance: 16 kilometres / 10 miles
Duration: Five to six hours
Mueller Hut Route
Mueller Hut is a spectacular hike and a favourite among local New Zealanders. Located in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the hike to the hut is no ‘walk in the park’ with 1000 metre ascent in just over five kilometres.
1800 metres above the Sealy Range, Mueller Hut boasts a 360 degree panorama encapsulating picturesque glaciers, icy cliffs, and the vertical rock faces of New Zealand’s highest peaks.
The hiking trail steeply meanders through alpine scrublands, up to Sealy Tarns where photographic opportunities are outstanding – with panoramic views of the Hooker Valley, various mountain tarns and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Distance: 5.2 kilometres / 3.2 miles
Duration: Four to eight hours
The Best Hikes In New Zealand – North Island
Lake Waikaremoana Track
Along the eastern coast of the North Island, the Lake Waikaremoana track meanders by the lake’s edge, navigating through wild forests and secluded beaches, then ascends Panekiri Ridge.
Located within Te Urewera National Park, the North Island’s vast expanse of untouched wilderness, this hut-to-hut journey ranks among New Zealand’s most accessible hikes.
Spanning three to four days, this ‘Great Walk’ invites you into the ancestral lands of the Tūhoe people.
Distance: 46 kilometres / 29 miles one-way
Duration: Three to four days
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
One of the most beautiful hikes in all of New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is located in the country’s oldest national park – Tongariro National Park.
Heralded as one of the best day hikes in New Zealand and showcases some of the regions most dramatic landscapes, with active volcanoes and peaceful beach forests.
The crossing climbs through Mangatepopo Valley to the saddle between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, through the South and and Red Crater’s before descending down through volcanic scree to the Emerald Lakes.
Distance: 19.4 kilometres / 27 miles
Duration: Six to eight hours.
Buck Taylor Track Loop
Nestled within the Waitakere Ranges, the Buck Taylor Track offers a brief yet scenic coastal circuit, winding through majestic manuka, wild cabbage, and immense fern trees that are spacious enough for camping.
This distinctive path descends towards a swampy inlet, past undulating black sand dunes, and leads to a rock tunnel opening onto the dark sands of Karekare Beach, where you might catch a glimpse of seals lounging on the rocks.
Before climbing up the Zion Hill Track, consider detouring to the Karekare Falls, a 30-meter (100-foot) cascade, perfect for a refreshing swim or a foot soak in its serene pool.
Distance: 6 kilometres / 4 miles
Duration: Three to four hours
Mount Victoria Trails
Regarded as one of the premier hiking options close to a city in New Zealand, the Mt. Victoria trail is an excellent bushwalk featuring multiple paths to choose from.
At its summit, you’re treated to expansive 360-degree views of Wellington, the capital of the North Island, and its neighboring areas. On clear days, visibility can extend to the South Island or the Tararua Range.
Family-friendly and well-maintained, the trails offer conveniences such as restrooms and a water fountain near the peak. Despite its proximity to the city, which may attract crowds on sunny days, the breathtaking panoramas make the visit exceedingly rewarding. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including the Kaka (brown parrot) and Tui birds.
Distance: 2 kilometres / 1.3 miles
Duration : Two hours
Abbey Caves
The Abbey Caves Loop is a short and relatively easy hiking trail located in the Abbey Caves Reserve near Hikurangi, New Zealand. The reserve comprises of naturally sculptured limestone outcrops, bluffs, enclosed depressions, sink holes and, along the loop, three explorable caves.
The caves are accessible via a steep wooden stile and a series of box steps that lead onto a circular grass walkway. The caves are signposted with waymarks, which help identify the walkway.
Its advised that only experienced cavers should enter underground, as there are risks from rapidly rising water and roofs caving in.
Distance: 1.3 kilometres / 0.8 miles
Duration: One hour
Mount Ruapehu’s Crater Lake
Situated in the Tongariro National Park, Mount Ruapehu is the third largest volcano in the park.
Ruapehu’s crater holds around 10 million cubic metres of water with a layer of liquid sulphur lining bottom. The lake changes colour from deep greens to pale blues or even a solid dark grey, depending on its temperature.
Climbing the crater is only suitable for fit and experienced hikers, capable of making effective judgments about environmental and volcanic hazards. The landscape is comprised of rugged volcanic rock in summer which is covered in ice and snow in winter.
The informal route up to the crater is unmarked, and is in high altitude terrain – the crater lake lookout point is 2672 metres above sea level.
Distance: 10 kilometres / 6.2 miles
Duration: Seven hours
Taranaki Falls Loop
Taranaki Falls track is a roughly six kilometre loop starting from Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park. The moderately difficult track crosses through alpine grasslands, beech forests, and landscape shaped by the nearby volcanoes.
Midway through the loop lies Taranaki Falls, which plunges almost twenty meters (65 ft) from a volcanic cliff into a pool. Along with the waterfall, clear days offer amazing views of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe in the distance.
Distance: 6 kilometres / 3.7 miles
Duration: Two hours
Mangorei Track to Pouakai Range
The Pouakai Range via Mangorei Track is an almost 14 kilometre trail near New Plymouth in Taranaki. This moderately rated hike offers picturesque views and is primarily used for hiking, walking, camping, and backpacking.
90% of the track runs through forest landscape with no mountain views until the end. As you approach the Pouakai Hut, views of the Taranaki ring plain behind you are complemented with the dramatic escarpment of the Pouakai Range ahead.
Distance: 10 kilometres / 6.2 miles
Duration: Four to five hours
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve
Cape Kidnappers is a 17.7 kilometre trail located in Hawke’s Bay. This route offers various wildlife viewing opportunities including the region’s large Gannet population.
Cape Kidnappers is an extraordinary sandstone headland, named by Captain Cook after an attempt by local Māori to abduct one of his crew.
The trail is predominantly used for hiking, leisure walking, nature trips, and bird watching.
Distance: 17.7 kilometres / 11 miles
Duration: Five hours