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  • New Zealand
  • Rock Climbing
  • New Zealand

    Looking for the best rock climbing 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 Rock Climbing Spots in and near New Zealand

    • Castle Hill, New Zealand

      Hike and Climb at Castle Hill

      3.5
      2 mi
      Follow the footpath from the car park. You will quickly arrive at Castle Hill, famous for it's incredible array of giant limestone formations. There is no official path so you are free to wander the maze of rocks. Look for arches and even signs of ancient Maori inhabitants. Its fun to climb among...
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    • Gibbston, New Zealand

      Hike to Lake Alta

      2 mi
      From Queenstown drive to the Remarkables Ski Field. The road features incredible views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, Shotover Canyon and the Southern Alps. The road takes you far above tree line into alpine high country.From the parking area it is a short (30-45 min) walk along a pleasant trail t...
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    • Christchurch, New Zealand

      Bike and Hike the Port Hills (Christchurch)

      5.0
      Park on the west side of Summit Road near Dyers Pass Road to unload your bicycle or start on the Crater Rim Track. Alternatively you can hike up from the valley on the (west to east) Bowenvale, Huntsbury, Mt Vernon, Rapaki or Bridle Tracks, all of which are shared use bike/hike tracks.Once you ar...
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    • Ataahua, New Zealand

      Hike to the Packhorse Hut and Mt. Bradley

      5.0
      3.7 mi / 2460.6 ft gain
      Park at the trailhead and begin the trail by crossing through farmland. As always be respectful of the property owners and animals, and close any gates you walk through.After a long walk up Kaituna Valley you will arrive at the Packhorse Hut, a great place to stay the night and enjoy the views of...
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    • Glenorchy, New Zealand

      Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

      8.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
      Once you identify the parking area (Right turn off Glenorchy Paradise Road just before crossing the Earnslaw Burn, park a the bend in the road.) Cross the boggy meadow in a NW direction until you see the orange trail markers on trees.The trail below bush line is long, very rugged and covered with...
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    • Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

      Climb to Homer Saddle, Fjordland NP

      1.6 mi / 1574.8 ft gain
      This route is not marked, riddled with loose rock, and requires climbing on narrow exposed ledges. There are often snow patches on the saddle and an unchecked fall will almost certainly result in a fatality. However, for experienced and well prepared parties this can be one of the most rewarding ...
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    • Maruia, New Zealand

      Hike the Lewis Pass Tops Route

      5.6 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
      Park at the well marked Saint James Walkway Car Park. You will find the Lewis Pass Tops Trail Head across the street. The trail begins by climbing steeply through beech forest and then breaks through the tree line before arriving at the ridge crest. The maintained trail ends here but the route is...
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    • Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

      Climb Mount B'Limit

      6 mi / 4000 ft gain
      Begin your adventure by hiking up the Temple Basin Ski Field access trail. Continue beyond the Ski huts to the upper basin below Mt Temple and B'Limit. Continue hiking under the rope tows to the saddle where the views will surly take your breath away.Once at the saddle mount the ridge-top to clim...
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    • Hunters Hills, New Zealand

      Rappel the Kaumira Canyon

      3.7 mi / 984.3 ft gain
      The Kaumira Canyon is a deep, narrow gorge in the mid-Canterbury plains. Although not covering a very large distance, the array of technical features will take a while to navigate. We had a large party of nine people, and it took us nearly four hours to complete the canyon. There are two rappels,...
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    • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

      Rock Climb at Unwin Crag

      5.0
      Getting to the Unwin Crag can be more of an adventure than the rock climb itself. You can park at the Unwin Lodge or at the car park at the bottom of the crag. From the lodge you walk towards the Mount Cook Village and you can easily see the 2 small rock faces just above the bush on the left hand...
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    • Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

      Winter Mountaineering in Arthur's Pass

      Several mountaineering routes start right off the road in Arthur's Pass making it a great alpine training ground with nearly endless opportunities. Many of the routes are just hiking routes in summer, but in winter snow piles up to transform them into steep, exposed and exciting climbs. I will ou...
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    • Fox Glacier, New Zealand

      Heli Ice Climb on Fox Glacier

      2.5 mi / 980 ft gain
      Fox Glacier is one of the most remote, yet awesome places to visit on New Zealand's wild west coast of the South Island.  The weather here is extreme; it changes daily and the heavy rainfall paves the way for incredible green landscapes and native birds. The glacier rises above the township and i...
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