To start with, the trail is pretty flat, however, there is not much shade which it rough particularly if you are hiking New Zealand in the summer months. (New Zealand), Hiking Roy's Peak & How to NOT to Wait in Line For A Pic (New Zealand), A Guide to Hiking the Mueller Hut Track & What to Pack (New Zealand). To visit the Fox Glacier, you have a few different options: Option 1 – You can do the Fox Glacier walk which is an easy flat hike that will take you between 1-2 hours return to complete. The Abel Tasman walk is a multi-day Great Walk Hike however, we decided to make our lives easier and leave tons of money in our wallet by doing two separate day hikes. Read all about hiking the Cave Stream before going. Take a loop at the end of the peninsula for some more views and head back to hang at the beach for a bit. Fox Glacier is one of the easiest and most accessible glaciers in the world, making it extremely popular amongst tourists and locals in New Zealand. If it’s raining, the ground gets very sodden and muddy in areas. Sitting at the southern tip of South Island, the incredible area of The Catlins should not be overlooked when hiking New Zealand, mostly due to the towering waterfalls. From here it is onto the Blue Lake. Every region of New Zealand has an office and you can call them and speak to a ranger about any of the trails in their area. There are more than the best hikes in New Zealand. The trek can be family-friendly if you go the day-trip route or can last three to four days for the true adventurer. The hike is nearly 20km one way but is deceptively difficult, with the most difficult parts coming at the very end. You may agree with me and my assessment of the hike and doing it the way I explained can save you tons of money and a whole extra day! All food and drink must be carried on the hike, as well as essentials for changing weather conditions. Hiking New Zealand’s South Island is definitely the way to get the best views, and you don’t even need to do a multi-day hike, a day walk in the South Island will do! I loved this little loop because there were four small waterfalls, good views, and zero people on the trail! It’s incredibly trippy and definitely adds to the challenge of this hike. If you fancy using a toilet with one of the best views in the world, then take the hike to the French Ridge Hut. There are plenty of things to do and plenty of good day hikes. We take you to the highlights Click the picture to pin this for later. The most bizarre boulders and rock formation are here for you to trek around without a real trail or “way” to go. The route returns via the Pinchgut Track, which zigzags down through woods. Luckily, some trails will have water fill up, like when you’re passing a hut but usually, you’ll need to bring your own to last you the entire hike. The landscape on … When hiking New ZealandSouth Island, you will constantly be in awe of the beautiful scenery surrounding you during these hikes. At night, with the stars out in force, the mountainous amphitheater as your environment, and the hot pools to hang out in, the Copland Track hike in New Zealand provides an unforgettable experience. You should stay in Weheka for the night, there are plenty of places to stay and there are some really cool lodges. You then have the ridgeline of a mountain to tackle for around another hour, so you will be very happy when you see the red roof of the hut! In one year in New Zealand, we’ve done a lot of hiking, and we are now ready to share our favourite ones with you, the ones we think are the best hikes in New Zealand! At the end of the day this isn’t a written in stone rule of when to hike in New Zealand but a rough guideline, it all depends on the hike and the area at the end of the day! Well done! The track should take around 90 minutes (add a little extra if you’re walking from town) and is suitable for most levels of fitness. During our three months traveling in NZ, we sought out the best trails and hiked as much as possible. While the circuit itself is just 8 kilometers, you can extend it and tramp along the Angelus Hut tracks. Keep in mind they have opposite seasons of my European and American friends… and also, as discussed above, they have some serious hikes and crazy weather, so pack accordingly. The island tends to have a damp climate thanks to consistent rainfall, so the track has many gravel roads that prevent mud from taking over the paths. *This is only if you do the ENTIRE thing, you can do what I explained above and just hike small sections of it. There are some stunning things to see in the Coromandel area of New Zealand, where waterfalls, pristine beaches and incredible views are in abundance. Make sure you’re prepared with the proper equipment. Plus after a rough hike, I got back to my van, baby wiped myself down, changed, ate… If I had to figure out the bus system after a big hike I would have *cue exaggeration* died. Recommended by Josh from The Lost Passport. While the hike isn’t too hard, there is a lot of uphill and a good chunk of it is fully exposed. These two are in the same area and can be done in a loop. There are a few more coves worth visiting along the way too. When I went hiking to Mueller Hut, the next available was two weeks out. The barrier is there for a reason and you SHOULD NOT pass it! A great way to tackle the hike is to do one side one day, and then save the other half for another day (saving you hundreds of dollars by the way!). If you’re campervanning the country, this hike’s trailhead starts from a DOC campsite. # 1 Abel Tasman Coast Track. There are some beautiful walks in Dunedin, all of which are relatively easy to navigate. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is New Zealand’s most famous day hike. What I did love was the cows and horses along the way, the fact that NOBODY was on the hike with me and the great work out it gave my glutes. This day hike will, however, provide some of the most spectacular volcanic scenery you’re ever likely to see! You’ll spot volcanoes Mt. Cathedral Cove in Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve Not only a great hike but also one of the best photography spots on the North Island of New Zealand. Hiking is a big deal in New Zealand. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro National Park. Of all New Zealand’s multi-day hikes, our nine (soon to be 10) Great Walks are widely viewed as our best hiking and the most spectacular. The views are spectacular throughout. They are made of limestone and after 30 million years of weathering, they look a bit like stacks of pancakes! Transport can be arranged from the local village. For a challenge, take the Hillary Trail, a self-guided four-day track through the native forest. Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It’ll be a challenge for those who don’t have trekking poles or something that can hook the ice block. The top offers up some decent views of the surroundings, and if you’re lucky, a crazy foggy spectacle like we encountered. Spend a night at the hut, and see what you can get! The track then follows the northern slopes of Tongariro, before zig-zagging all the way down the mountainside. The hike takes 2 hours or more depending on your stamina and the weather, to get to the summit. PRO TIP: The tree trunk at the base is slippery (*shocking news*) as outlined in my epic gallery of photos of me falling in… Enjoy the laugh. I always carried my shell from my favorite jacket just in case it rained or it got cold or windy. This is one of the wettest places on the planet, with an … This is the best hiking resource for New Zealand ever written! Catching sunset and sunrise at the tarn is a must but you won’t be there alone. The Copland Track is one of the greatest hikes you’ll find on South Island. Recommended by Tayler from Traveling Tayler, During my time in New Zealand, I was really fortunate to be able to extensively explore the South Island. Just a quick reminder if you’re in the northern hemisphere, don’t show up to hike in New Zealand in June with shorts and a tank top, that’s their winter. Tongariro Alpine Crossing is repeatedly named the best day-hike in New Zealand, famous for its ominous feature in The Lord of the Rings as Mount Doom in the land of Mordor.. The track mostly follows the coast, making the views stunning, and you can weave in and out of the native bush to explore more of New Zealand’s wildlife. Up here you will be surrounded by an epic view of mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls all around. And be sure you don’t miss the sunset! The hike takes you through some farmland and along the coast with views of Queenstown in the distance. What makes the walk so special is the essence of great New Zealand nature in one neat track. Travel. Leave early to enjoy the calm part of the day, and allow time to fully immerse yourself in this special corner of Canterbury. The glacier itself isn’t the most impressive part of the track though (it’s a bit grey and is quite a distance from the viewpoint) – the views along the way are the real highlights. There are incredible views the whole way round, with waterfalls tumbling from glaciers in the distance, Mueller Lake below, and mighty Mount Cook in the distance. The glacier is unpredictable in which ice and rocks can fall at any time. So hiking in New Zealand became my life for the first half of 2019 and I can confidently say, there are no regrets! However, you shouldn’t let this put you off, they are popular for a reason. We’d generally recommend a rental car to allow you to see all of the sights at your own pace. No summation of day hikes in New Zealand would be complete without mention of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – the walk which most people just refer to as “the Crossing”. Spanning 32 km (20 miles) the track goes through both Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park, bringing you through the most breathtaking scenery you’ll ever see. For the rest of the walk the water should be up to your knees as you go against the stream, around boulders and even up small waterfalls. New Zealand is really an amazing place! Option 2 – If you have the budget, then you should definitely consider doing the helicopter ride around the glacier. The beauty of the Copland Track is like no other. No one said hiking in New Zealand would be easy! It all depends but the more popular the hut, the more likely you’ll need to reserve. The 13.5km track can be followed from the southern end of Sumner Beach, however, most walkers park at Taylors Mistake beach, which shortens the walk to around 8km. On top of that, you will be walking on stones most of the way. We’ve assembled our favorite hiking trails … DON’T do this hike if you only have intentions of doing the Diamond Lake Loop. It weaves in and out of the island, touching along most of the coastline and delving into the dense forests. 5 Epic Hikes in Mount Cook National Park That Are TOTALLY Worth It (New Zealand) The trek takes you through a remarkable volcanic landscape, with crazy rock formations, moonscape vistas, mighty volcanoes, beautiful colored lakes and steaming cracks in the earth. The following New Zealand hikes are all listed with roundtrip distances and the difficult rating was standardized using alltrails.com, however, there is some personal experience sprinkled in to give you a better idea of the hike as well. Recommended by Jon from See the South Island. The scenery you will be … The entire trail is … Before going, be sure to read these tips for hiking at Cathedral Cove. If you are planning to go hiking in New Zealand or just want to get some authentic New Zealand … Guide to the Routeburn Track: Should You Do It as a Day Hike? You’ll also need to carry all your own cooking and camping equipment. Psst… Fun fact, Mount Arthur is also a popular spot for kiwi bird spotting. Located in Kahurangi National Park at the top of the South Island, Heaphy Track is 78.3 km (48.7 miles)... Routeburn Track. We had a great time as a family a few years back. There are both huts and campgrounds along the way which need to be booked in advance. There are several spots where you can see right down the valley, which is flanked by rocky peaks and lots of trees. If you are planning to go hiking in New Zealand or just want to get some authentic New Zealand outdoor experiences we can help with your travel plans. If you’re looking to spend the night in a hut that isn’t too crowded, yet is accessible in just a few hours of hiking, Brewster Hut fits the bill perfectly. Due to its remote location in Kahurangi National Park, the trail takes a detour of more than an hour for those who’re doing road trips in New Zealand South Island. Pause at the final corners if you can’t wait until the lookout, but the real magic is being faced with the mighty waterfall up close. Hiking (or "tramping") is a New Zealand national pastime, a way of getting close to nature and appreciating the beauty of an unspoiled pristine environment. Hiking the incredible Pouakai Circuit is one of the best ways to experience the incredible Mount Taranaki in Egmont National Park. There will be a few river crossings on this hike as well so wear proper shoes. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. As with most places on the West Coast (one of New Zealand’s wettest regions), the weather can play a huge part. The first time I did this hike it started raining heavily around halfway through, which was a bit miserable. Walking and Hiking. Continue Reading There are tons of trails in the area but the Queen Charlotte Track is the most popular and main trail. You’ll need a sleeping bag (and a really good and warm one at that), your own food, pots, and pans, sometimes you’ll need to bring your own fire too as many huts have kitchens but no equipment. Glaciers, volcanic pools, rare wildlife, and desert plains are all just mere descriptions of the intense dynamics of this track. The Roy’s Peak hike is a 15.6km round trip up a mountain, so it’s not the easiest of hikes, yet it is extremely popular. Your reward for making it to the end are the Welcome Flat hot pools. I recommend doing this hike over driving up to the Observatory nearby because it can get crowded up there plus where’s the adventure in that anyway? On the North Island, Tongariro Northern Circuit is in Tongariro National Park and spans 43 km (27 miles), bringing you to volcanic landscapes, glacial valleys, and dense forests. Already you’ll gain impressive views through the pass and a sneak peek at the waterfall awaiting you. It’s a matter of hoisting your, hopefully, ultralight backpack, taking your shoes off and wading across. But the hiker will want to explore the heart of the park, absorb the scenery, and even touch it and feel it. Note that you must reserve your spot during high season. I’m from Florida and I could literally feel the sun burning my skin. Not only a great hike but also one of the best photography spots on the North Island of New Zealand. The hike ends in a raging waterfall. If you don’t mind the crowds, the view is pretty spectacular from the top. It takes days to complete but as with most hikes in New Zealand, you can hop on some of the trails just for the day. There are a LOT of steps, but once you reach the summit you will know it has all been worth it. 3 Jun, 2020 07:00 PM Quick Read. 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