New Zealand
One of our favorite places on the planet, New Zealand's beaches, mountains, fjords and plains will leave you speechless any time of year. The Southern Alps are home to some incredible hiking and trekking (or tramping, as the locals say). On the north island, find world class surf in Raglan, volcanic trekking on Tongariro, and emerald water in Coromandel.
Top Spots in and near New Zealand
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Hunters Hills, New Zealand
Rappel the Kaumira Canyon
3.7 mi / 984.3 ft gainThe 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,...Read more -
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 -
Craigieburn Forest Park, New Zealand
Hike to Hamilton Peak's Summit
7.5 mi / 3280.8 ft gainPark at the Craggyburn Valley Trailhead for a longer, more scenic hike, or continue driving to the Ski Field Parking at the road's end.The trail follows the true right bank of Craggieburn Valley as it climbs through a thick and scenic beech forest. After an hour it reaches the bush edge just shor...Read more -
Craigieburn Forest Park, New Zealand
Ride the Craigieburn Mountain Bike Trails
5.024.9 mi / 3937 ft gainBeing a cloudy and gray day in Christchurch, we decided to pack the bikes up and drive the 100kms on SH73 up to the Craigieburn Forest Park. There are several entrances to the tracks. You can either park up in the Castle Hill Village and enter the Hogs Back Track from there, or park in the Broken...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 -
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 -
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 -
Moeraki, New Zealand
Explore Katiki Point Lighthouse
From the car park, the trail leads in two directions. Following the track to your left will take you down to a penguin hide overlooking the coast. Watch the rocky shoreline carefully as many of the large boulders are actually napping fur seals. From the hide, you can observe penguins going out to...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 -
Hampden, New Zealand
Explore the Moeraki Boulders
4.0Sunrise is a perfect time to come visit these boulders as you not only beat the crowds that flock to the beach later in the day but also get to watch the sun rise up behind the boulders.These boulders are a small detour off of Highway 1 so they make a nice stop on a road trip up the East Coast of...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 -
Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Rock Climb at Unwin Crag
5.0Getting 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...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 -
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
