Great New Zealand Walks & New Zealand Walking Tours

New Zealand great walks offer a real variety of well maintained tracks. Easy access, lack of crowds and unspoiled landscapes are also features of New Zealand walking tours.  It is not easy to pick the best but here are some of our favourites, from one day walks to overnight hikes.

Arthur’s Pass National Park You can go out and back in one day from Christchurch or travel through on your way to the West Coast.  A great option is to combine a walk with the TranzAlpine alpine train, which makes for a great day out.  Lots of one-day walks and some challenging overnight routes, ask us for more information. Start from: Christchurch  Duration: 1-3 days  Grade: Various  Options: Guided/Independent Highlights: A day out walking combined with the TranzAlpine
Abel Tasman National Park The lush bush and golden sand beaches of the tourist brochures are right here in the Abel Tasman.  The best weather in the country and the scenery that you see in travel magazines.  Combining a walk with sea kayaking is popular here. Start from: Nelson/Motueka Length: 37km Duration: 3 days  Grade:5/10       Options:Guided/Independent Highlights:Walking barefoot on the golden sand, close up encounters with the sea life Great one-day walks are possible using the regular launch services
Mount Cook National Park For non climbers there is a range of single day walks easily accessible from Mount Cook Village.  Access to the village is by road and from here you just walk right out into the mountains, there are not many places in the world that offer such easy access to a high alpine environment.  After the walk indulge yourself at the Hermitage Hotel, a New Zealand institution.  Our favorite walks are the Hooker Valley Track, Red Tarns , Sealy Tarns and for the slightly more adventurous Mueller Hut or Mt Sebastapol. Start from: Mount Cook Village   Duration: 1/2 to 1 day   Grade: 5/10  Options: Guided/Independent Highlights: Close up views of glaciers, year round snow and the highest peaks in NZ
Milford Track The world famous Milford Track, three nights and four days crossing the Southern Alps at the Mckinnon Pass and finishing at Milford Sound. This is the walk you have heard so much about and it is as good as everyone says it is! Start from: Te Anau/Queenstown  Length: 53km  Duration: 4 days  Grade: 6/10  Options: Guided/Independent Highlights: Sutherland Falls (580 metres!), Milford Sound
Routeburn Track  We think this is the best high alpine track in New Zealand.  Walk from Fiordland national park over the Harris Saddle into Mount Aspiring NP.  Amazing views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers and valleys below.  The perfect mix of forest and alpine walking. Start from: Te Anau/Queenstown  Length: 39km  Duration: 3 days  Grade: 6/10    Options: Guided/Independent Highlights: Views from the Hollyford Face, climbing Conical Hill