New Zealand
Looking for the best hiking in New Zealand? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Zealand. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near New Zealand
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Rowallan, New Zealand
Backpack the Hump Ridge Track
37.3 mi / 3280.8 ft gainThis loop track is intended to be walked over 3 days (2 nights) and is just over 60km long with nearly 1,000 meters elevation gain. For those of you uber fit people with an appetite for a more intense adventure, it's also possible to tackle the whole thing in a single day, but be prepared for a c...Read more -
Wellington, New Zealand
Hike to the Mount Victoria Lookout
3.54.3 mi / 643 ft gainThe Mount Victoria walk takes you up to the Mt. Victoria look-out where you get to see amazing panoramic views of Wellington. There are several routes that will get you there. I’m sharing the route I normally take.I normally prefer the following hike from the northern end of the southern walkway,...Read more -
Wanaka, New Zealand
Hike or Bike the Glendhu Bay Track
9.3 miThis walk can also be started from the waterfront in Wanaka, which is only a few km from the track start above. From the car park, follow the track along the lake north. It is quite well marked and follows the coastline offering stunning views of the mountains on both sides of the lake. Dependin...Read more -
Wairoa Valley, New Zealand
Hike to the Ben Nevis Summit in New Zealand
7.5 mi / 2624.7 ft gainFirst thing first, you definitely need a 4WD to reach the car park. The gravel road starts at the beginning of the Pig valley rd. Follow the Wairoa Gorge rd, you'll find a first DOC sign about the Ben Nevis at the crossroad between Wairoa Gorge rd, Bull Creek rd and Old Mill rd. Bull Creek road w...Read more -
Tasman River, New Zealand
Climb Mt. Wakefield
4.03 mi / 4593.2 ft gainThe route begins on Tasman Valley Road right after it crosses over the Hooker River heading towards the Tasman Valley. Right after the bridge at Hooker corner there will be a small cutoff on the left side (as you head towards the Tasman). This gravel cutoff is where the trail starts up Mt. Wakefi...Read more -
Anakoha, New Zealand
Summit Mt. Stokes
2.9 mi / 2044 ft gainThe real adventure is driving to the start of this track. While driving along the Queen Charlotte Drive, the little town called Linkwater has the access road the Mahau and Keneperu Sounds via the Keneperu Road. Warning: There is no petrol along the Keneperu Road, so if you are running low, I woul...Read more -
Lake Coleridge, New Zealand
Hike Peak Hill
5.04 mi / 2066.9 ft gainRising about 600 meters from the Canterbury Plains, Peak Hill offers everything New Zealand is famous for: a steep climb to get your heart pumping, views of a gorgeous lake (Coleridge), ever-changing weather, views of the Alps, and views of wide, braided rivers. It is well worth sticking with the...Read more -
Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Climb Mt. Ollivier
5.07 mi / 3436 ft gainStart on the track from the White Horse Hill campground. Follow the track up almost 2,000 steps until you reach Sealy Tarns. From here the track continues steeply up the mountain until you reach the ridge. Continue over the ridge until reaching the hut. From here continue up the ridge to the summ...Read more -
Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Hike to Muller Hut
5.06.2 mi / 5905.5 ft gainOne of the most spectacular hikes in New Zealand next to New Zealand's highest mountain - Mount Cook (aka Aoraki).5.2km one way, it is a tough ascent. The first part of the track ascends to Sealy tarns. This involves climbing zig zag stairs where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view over ...Read more -
Kaimanawa Forest Park, New Zealand
Hike Mt. Urchin Track
4.3 mi / 1870.1 ft gainIt is recommended to do this hike on a clear day if you would like to have good views from Urchin Trig. We did it on a cloudy and misty day and although the hike was still awesome, the top was shrouded in a heavy layer of mist. We could not continue along the ridge or get any views of the surroun...Read more -
Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
Hike to Harwood Hole
5.01.9 miGetting to this hike is a bit of a drive. It is 11km off of HWY 60, just north of Motueka. The road is unsealed, and quite narrow at points. If there is another car coming the other direction, be prepared for a tight squeeze. The road climbs up Tanaka Hill, and the descends down towards Canaan Ca...Read more -
Paparoa National Park, New Zealand
Walk the Truman Track in Paparoa National Park
1 mi / 15 ft gainJust a couple miles north of the Punakaiki Beach Camp in Paparoa National Park along the West Coast of New Zealand is this very short yet very rewarding walk. Parking is just feet south of the Te Nikau Retreat access road and right across the well marked and maintained Truman Track trail head on ...Read more -
Takaka, New Zealand
Take a Stroll around Te Waikoropupu Springs
1 miThe walk around Te Waikoropupu springs is a very easy, flat walk that anybody can do.As you leave the carpark, you do a little bit of descent down towards the water. You walk along some board walks over a little stream that flows beneath your feet. After winding through some forest, the track com...Read more -
Otira, New Zealand
Stay at Carroll Hut
1.6 mi / 2296.6 ft gainThis hike begins at a hidden parking lot just North/East of Kelly's Creek, about 2km north of Otira, drive carefully through to the car park and trailhead, a gravel lot with a latrine, near the creek. Once ready, begin the hike, to the west. In the first 5 minutes you'll cross a small tributar...Read more -
Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Hike to Sealy Tarns
4.7From the car park follow the trail as it begins fairly flat on a gravel trail. After five minutes or so you will see a sign that points you, left, towards the Sealy Tarns track. After following this trail for around 10 more minutes, as it goes slowly uphill, you will come to the base of the steps...Read more -
Queenstown, New Zealand
Ben Lomond Track via Skyline Road
5.025.88 mi / 3107 ft gainIn the summer, Ben Lomond is an easy rated track flooded with tourists. In the winter, the hike gets a complete makeover by the soft blankets of snow, especially closer to the peak. Although the snow makes the route significantly more challenging, the views afforded are phenomenal and the trail i...Read more