New Zealand Great Walks – The Ultimate Guide

From North Island to Stewart Island, New Zealand delivers grand and scenic vistas in spades. And the best way to see the country’s most memorable views is on one of its 11 Great Walks.

With seven Great Walks on the South Island, four on the North Island (including one paddling trip), and one on Rakiura/Stewart Island, no matter where you find yourself in the land of the long white cloud, there’s a Great Walk close by that’s worth shouldering a pack for.

If you need a little helping finding that one that’s right for you, read on! (But don’t complain to us if this list doesn’t help you narrow it down.)

The Great Walks of New Zealand

1. Abel Tasman Coast Track

Distance: 51km
Duration: 5 days
Elevation gain: Minimal
Nearest town: Nelson
Skill level: Intermediate
Island: South Island

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is the most accessible of all the Great Walks in New Zealand with minimal elevation gain, stunning views, and options to complete small sections in a day or the whole one-way trail end-to-end.

Located in the Abel Tasman National Park just 40 minutes by car from Nelson, the 51km end-to-end trail takes hikers along the island’s northern coastline, passing through luscious rainforest every day. Hikers can choose which end to start from and will need to arrange a water taxi to either ferry you to the far end of the trail so you can walk out, or to pick you up at the end.

You can choose to stay in huts or campsites that have epic water views, or opt for a guided walking tour and stay in fancy lodges! While the Abel Tasman Coast Track is pretty flat, you’ll need to pay attention to tide times as you’ll be crossing inlets along the way.

Photo by macronix on Flickr | License

2. Tongariro Northern Circuit

Distance: 45km
Duration: 2-4 days
Elevation: 1750m
Nearest town: Turangi
Skill level: Advanced
Island: North Island

The Tongariro Northern Circuit is a 45km loop, located in Tongariro National Park known for its volcanic landscapes in the centre of the North Island. A 4-5 hour drive from either Auckland or Wellington, the advanced hike takes two to four days to complete.

Shot by Camilla Rutherford

This multi-day hike includes New Zealand’s most famous and tramped day hike – the Tongariro Crossing – which sees hikers pass through a Mars-like landscape and summit the active volcano, Mt Ngauruhoe AKA Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit options to camp or stay in huts for each night. Bookings are essential for either option during the tramping season, which runs from late October to April.

Keep reading: New Zealand’s Tongariro Northern Circuit Feels Like Another Planet

3. Routeburn Track

Distance: 32km one way
Duration: 3 days (but can be longer if you take side trips!)
Elevation: 1635m
Nearest town: Glenorchy
Skill level: Intermediate
Island: South Island

The Routeburn Track is a 32km trail that’s all about looking down at classic New Zealand mountainscapes from the top of the world. The hike stretches between the Routeburn Track Shelter (Glenorchy) to The Divide (Milford Highway) and is located just over an hour away from Queenstown.

@wanderer_rachel

Starting in dense forest, hikers slowly ascend through the trees, passing by alpine streams, before emerging above the treeline and amongst the mountain tops. A highlight of the walk is Lake Harris and Harris Saddle on the second day, as the pristine alpine lake comes further and further into view.

Slow down for the precarious descent to the second night’s accommodation and take in the gobsmacking view of Lake Mackenzie, tucked into a steep valley and flanked by snowy mountain peaks.

Day three is the final descent and walk out through the forest, but not without plenty of crystal clear (and freezing!) waterfalls along the way.

@bree.townsend

Walkers can opt to stay in huts or camp and I highly recommend you attempt to swim at least once! Just think of it as cold water therapy.

While unpredictable weather is pretty normal on all of these Great Walks, it’s especially typical on this track so make sure you’ve got plenty of rain gear, hike with mates, and the smarts to turn back if it becomes unsafe.

Keep reading: Rain Can’t Ruin the Routeburn Track, Right?

4. Milford Track

Distance: 53.5km
Duration: 4 days
Elevation: 1154m is the highest point, but from the start of the track to the highest point is approximately 800m gain
Nearest town: Te Anau
Skill level: Advanced
Island: South Island

This is arguably the most popular of New Zealand’s Great Walks, even being labelled among the best hikes in the world. If you want to hike the Milford Sound Track you’ll need to keep your hand steady on the buzzer because (as you’d expect!) bookings sell out in minutes once opened.

@jmcrae_

54km of well-constructed paths, suspension bridges, and boardwalks lead trampers through vast glaciated valleys, lush green forests, and over crystal waterways. Oh, and there’s an abundance of waterfalls and wildlife to enjoy too. Keep a keen eye out for those pesky Keas! They’re not afraid to chew up everything you own.

The Milford Track can only be walked in one direction during the Great Walks season, starting at Glade Wharf on Lake Te Anau. Buses are available from Queenstown to Te Anau Downs where you’ll catch a water taxi to the wharf.

Read more: The Magic of the Milford Sound Track (NZ)

5. Kepler Track

Distance: 60km
Duration: 4 days
Elevation: 2200m
Nearest town: Te Anau
Skill level: Intermediate
Island: South Island

The Kepler Track is a fun but challenging four-day hike with hut and camping options, incredible wild swimming side trips, and a definite ‘Frodo and Sam in the woods’ vibe.

Bonus side adventure options include Luxmore Caves, Luxmore Summit, and Iris Burn Waterfall.

This New Zealand Great Walk starts and ends in Te Anau, about two hours from Queenstown. There are two entry and exit points, each accessible by bus. The first is at Rainbow Beach, 9km from the trailhead, and it allows you to shave off the lakeside portion of the hike near Te Anau. The second is at the control gates at the bottom of lake Te Anau (the most common start/end point.

Read more: Guide to Hiking the Kepler Track, New Zealand

@bree.townsend

6. Heaphy Track

Distance: 78.4km
Duration: 4-6 days
Elevation gain: 1,500m
Nearest town: Collingwood or Karamea
Skill level: Intermediate
Island: South Island

Spanning 78.4km through Kahurangi National Park, the Heaphy Track has arguably the most contrast of all the New Zealand Great Walks. You’ll hike through golden tussock fields, lush rainforests, and end up on a rugged beach on the West Coast. It’s the perfect way to experience all the diversity the South Island has to offer.

Shot by Jake Osbourne via Flickr | License

Look out for cheeky Weka, curious Takahē, and if you’re lucky you might spot the elusive Great Spotted kiwi. The track can be enjoyed in either direction and once again you’ve got the choice between campsites or huts, or a combination of both!

7. Whanganui Journey

Distance: 145km (canoe/kayak)
Duration: 3 or 5 days
Elevation gain: NA
Nearest town: Taumarunui or Pipiriki
Skill level: Intermediate
Island: North Island

Not your typical hike, this author thinks it’s a bit of a stretch to call the multi-day paddle trip, the Whanganui Journey, one of the Great Walks but here we are! You’ll trade boots for paddles and sore legs for sore shoulders as you take a canoe trip down a stunning section of the 290km-long Whanganui River, a waterway important in Māori lore.

Shot by @docnz via Flickr | License

Over three or five days (depending on where you choose to start) of jaw-dropping scenery, paddlers float past lush native forests, between towering fern-lined cliffs, stay by a remote marae (a sacred Maori religious building), and the option to stay in campsites or huts. Be prepared to tackle lots of Grade 1 rapids and a few adrenaline-inducing Grade 2 rapids as well!

You’ll have the option to stretch your legs on day two with a short walk to The Bridge to Nowhere for an epic viewpoint of an adjoining creek and valley. However be wary, the Maori warn against visiting this bridge and many people fell to their deaths in the attempt to build it.

Interestingly, the Whanganui River is the only river in New Zealand to be protected by an innovative bill that grants the river the same legal rights as a person. This means paddlers are expected to treat the river with the utmost respect.

So if you’re a bit exhausted from hiking all the other Great Walks, the Whanganui Journey will break up your adventures nicely and give your legs a rest!

8. Rakiura Track

Distance: 32km (plus distance to and from Oban township)
Duration: 1-3 days
Elevation gain: 1,248m
Nearest town: Oban
Skill level: Intermediate
Island: Stewart Island

The 32km Rakiura Track circuit meanders through Rakiura/Stewart Island’s peaceful coastline and lush native forest just south of New Zealand’s South Island. With 85% of its landmass taken up by national parks, the island is a biodiversity hot spot.

Plus, its kiwi population outnumbers the island’s 400 permanent residents, meaning it’s arguably the best place in the country to see this elusive bird in the wild.

@pippa.heidi

The track begins 5km from Stewart Island’s only town, Oban, and wanders through coastal rainforest and along deserted beaches, before turning inland through thicker forest.

The Rakiura Track can be completed as an intense day hike or a more relaxed three-day adventure and has options for both camping and staying in huts along the track.

Be warned! This Stewart Island hike is famed for its excess of mud, so come prepared to be wet and dirty!

Keep reading: The Rakiura Track is the Most Serene of New Zealand’s Great Walks

9. Lake Waikaremoana Track

Distance: 46km
Duration: 3-4 days
Elevation gain: 1,100m
Nearest town: Wairoa
Skill level: Intermediate
Island: North Island

Two and a half hours away from Napier, the Lake Waikaremoana Track is 46km long and takes you deep into Te Urewera, a place steeped in Māori history and myth. The New Zealand Great Walk hugs the shoreline of the beautiful Lake Waikaremoana.

Keep an eye out for rare bird life like tūī and kererū along the way – not difficult as you’ll have your eyes wide open for the waterfalls and lake views already! Like all of these Great Walks, bookings are required for the Lake Waikaremoana Track and you’ve got the option to stay in huts or tents.

Shot by @docnz via Flickr | License

10. Paparoa Track

Distance: 55km
Duration: 2-3 days
Elevation gain: 2,400m
Nearest town: Greymouth or Punakaiki
Skill level: Advanced
Island: South Island

Next up on the list of New Zealand Great Walks is the Paparoa Track. It’s a breathtaking hike through the untamed Paparoa Range, where limestone karsts, river gorges, and lush rainforest will leave you unsure where to look first!

This 55km track is the first of New Zealand’s Great Walks to cater to both hikers and mountain bikers, making it quite the popular adventure hub! Make sure to stay alert and be respectful of other users on the trail.

The Paparoa Track is located about four hour’s drive from Christchurch and features panoramic views of the West Coast that’ll make you forget all about the hours in the car. And if you manage to make it through the Pororari River Gorge without being reminded of Jurassic Park… well, you’d be the first.

Photo via Department of Conservation, NZ

11. Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track

Distance: 61km
Duration: 3 days
Elevation gain: 2,300m
Nearest town: Tuatapere
Skill level: Advanced
Island: South Island

The latest addition to the Great Walks of New Zealand is perched on the southern edge of Fiordland National Park and is only last on the list because it’s the newest one (it opened in 2024!).

With rugged coastline views, native forests, and dramatic alpine landscapes, the 61km Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track delivers in spades. Along the loop hike you’ll encounter swing bridges, historic viaducts, and hopefully spot Hector’s dolphins in the waters below.

You can opt to stay in premium lodges (they have licensed bars AND shops!) or backcountry-style huts. If you want to get really fancy you can even arrange to be choppered into the summit on your first day (not the best choice for the environment though, just quietly).

The hike has plenty of steep climbs, but the panoramic views from Okaka Lodge are worth every step.

Read more: New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk Opens!

Photo via Department of Conservation

Tips for Hiking New Zealand’s Great Walks

• Carry a PLB, first aid kit, and compass (and know how to use them!
• Take plenty of layers of clothing including thermals, waterproof pants, and a jacket so you’re prepared for adverse weather conditions
• Bring your own food (even if there are shops at the lodges – you might get lost)
• Consider carefully your choice of campsite versus hut accommodation. Sometimes being more comfortable overnight is worth it so the hike itself is less of a sufferfest
• Take a camera or powerbank for your phone so you capture the alpine meadows, glacier-carved valleys, and native beech forests. You’ll get used to seeing them along the way but you’ll appreciate the photos when you’re back home
• Only have a short period of time for your New Zealand trip? Consider bundling a few Great Walks into one – Explorer Bree shares how she combined the Routeburn, Kepler and Milford Tracks

Read more: 7 Tips For Rainy Day Hiking

Shot by Hump Ridge Track Ltd

FAQs Great Walks New Zealand

Does Fiordland National Park have any of the Great Walks?

Yep, two of the most stunning of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Kepler Track and Milford Track, are located in Fiordland National Park. The Routeburn Track also passes through Fiordland National Park after beginning in Mt Aspiring National Park.

Is the Kepler Track one of NZ’s Great Walks?

Yep, along with the popular Milford Track, Rakiura Track, Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Routeburn Track, Paparoa Track, and the rest of the trails on the list above, the Kepler Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

Which Great Walks are on the West Coast?

The Paparoa and Heaphy Track Great Walks are on the wild West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Is the Milford Track on the North Island of New Zealand?

Nope, the Milford Track is on New Zealand’s South Island.

How many Great Walks of New Zealand are there?

There are 11 Great Walks.

What other walking tracks can I do in New Zealand?

New Zealand has so many great walking tracks you could stay for a year and not visit them all! Check out our list of the best hikes around Queenstown to get started!

Want more multi-day hikes in New Zealand?

• Wangapeka Track New Zealand
• Traversing New Zealand’s Te Araroa With a Black & White Film Camera in Hand
• The Greenstone-Caples Track is the Most Dynamic Hike in New Zealand
• French Ridge Hut – Swim & Scramble Your Way to This New Zealand Hut

Table of contents image by Lisa Owen

Feature image by macronix on Flickr | License