Discover some of the best walks in New Zealand

New Zealand offers the ideal weather and terrain for outdoor adventure. From the volcanic national parks of the North Island, to the mountainous terrain of the South Island, there are numerous walking trails that cater to different fitness levels ranging from listed Great Walks, day hikes, and cultural walking trails. If you are looking for a leisurely walk around the city, a quiet hike for pleasure or planning a long, adventorous trek, we’ve got you covered. 

The north island of New Zealand has been formed by volcanic activity, and even today, active volcanoes, age-old craters and ongoing geothermal activity shape the landscape.

Length: 20.4 km

Time to complete: 6 - 8 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

One of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is set in the Tongariro National Park. The challenging route takes you through volcanic alpine terrain, geothermal vents, old lava flows, the emerald lake and the red crater. A good level of fitness is required to complete this one day hike and be sure to make a booking in advance. The Department of Conservation advises hikers make use of the licenced shuttle operators to reach the park and recommend you carry two litres of water with you, along with additional food and First Aid supplies.

Length: Different trails ranging from 2.7 km to 21.4 km

Difficulty: Various levels of difficulty

Waitakere Ranges Regional Park  offers numerous trails with varying difficulty levels. For those looking for an easy walk, enjoy the scenic 2.75-kilometre hike to the base of the Kitekite Falls, which should take you about forty-five minutes to complete.

The Mercer Bay Track Loop is a moderate, one-hour-long seaside loop that takes you to Te Kawerau a Maki Pou (Māori sculpture). Be extra careful while walking along the sea cliffs as there are no barriers and it’s a sheer drop of about two hundred metres into the ocean. 

A challenging hike is the Karamatura to Mount Donald Mc Lean track which will take you about four-hours to complete. The 11.6-kilometre trail is a steep walk with many stairs but the panoramic views of Waitakere Ranges, Manukau harbour and Auckland City make the climb uphill worthwhile. Watch out for signposts to the waterfall and rock pools which offer a great spot to chill out. 

You will get a real sense of the alpine mountains and New Zealand’s golden beaches on a one-day or multi-day hike in New Zealand's South Island.

Length: 53.5 km

Time to complete: 4 days

Difficulty: Challenging

The Milford Track in the Fiordland National Park, is listed as one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. It is a four-day wilderness trek, from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound. The route takes you through native rainforest, along rivers and lakes, past Sutherland Falls and onwards to the 1,692 metre high Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) mountain overlooking Mitre Peak. Online bookings are essential to stay in the huts on the trail overnight. 

Length: 60 km

Time to complete: 3 to 5 days

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Another one of New Zealand’s Greak Walks is the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Check online for walking guides, trip information and overnight accommodation. It’s a 60-kilometre walk from Mārahau to Wainui Bay along beaches and bush tracks. A natural rock pool, waterfall, suspension bridge and the Tonga Island Marine reserve are all highlights on this hike. The track is well signposted and is accessible via water taxi which you can opt to take. This lets you walk only a part of the trail should you not wish to do the multi-day track.

You don’t have to leave the city limits to be able to stretch your legs and enjoy a walk in New Zealand. Some of the top-rated walking trails in New Zealand include the Mount Eden Path in Auckland which at only two-kilometres-long is easily walkable. 

Length: 9.5 km

Time to complete: 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

The Te Atatu Walkway is a coastal walk that will take you and your family two and a half hours to complete. The walk affords great views of the Auckland skyline and harbour. The path is mostly paved although there are some gravel sections. The starting point is Chapman Road, and the end point is at Spinnaker Strand. Here you can continue or turn around and head back. Along the way you will find a small kid’s playground at Kelvin Strand.

Length: 10.6 km

Time to complete: 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy to Medium

The Southern Walkway in Wellington takes you along a scenic route from Oriental Bay to the rugged coves of Houghton Bay and Island Bay.  Along the way you will see city and harbour views and views of the forest around the Berhampore Golf Course.

The walking trails in Queenstown Gardens and the Rotorua Redwoods offer and your kids a break from the city and it also gives you a chance to take in the tranquil grounds.  The Queenstown Garden Trail is an easy three-kilometre walk that takes you through the beautiful Wakatipu lakeside gardens from Queenstown Bay Beach. The gardens offer a children’s playground area and shady lawns. There are also lots of benches and shady spots where you can rest or enjoy a picnic.

The Rotorua Redwoods Treewalk is a seven-hundred-metre elevated trail that follows a suspended walkway, twenty metres above the ground. The trail includes twenty-eight swing bridges and while this is a fun daytime activity, it is also possible to do the walk at night. The added element of atmospheric lighting in the form of lanterns designed by renowned designer David Trubridge makes this an exciting nighttime adventure for kids. 

Volcanoes formed New Zealand and are responsible for its rugged interior and fertile soil. They also present dramatic coastlines visible on both islands. More than eleven percent of the country is protected land, and there are plenty of walks for you to enjoy. 

Length: 24.5 km

Time to complete: 6 hours

Difficulty: Intermediate to experienced

The Cape Reinga to Spirits Bay is perfect for viewing the northern coastline but it’s physical work when you're walking on the beach and it requires a high level of fitness. Cape Reinga is considered one of New Zealand’s most sacred Māori settlements. While hiking you will find evidence of settlements that date back centuries. There are also advanced four to five day hikes that start at Cape Reinga and end at Te Paki Recreation Reserve.

Length: 11.7 km

Time to complete: 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy

The Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway near Christchurch is set along an easy walking track. The walk is suitable for families with older kids and should take three hours to complete. There are also a range of shorter tracks to explore. The meandering track offers beautiful ocean views and even the chance to see seabirds and seals basking on the rocks. It’s best to start the walk in Kaikōura town centre and if you walk in the winter months you will be able to appreciate the snow-capped mountains that rise up in the distance.

New Zealand’s history and culture draws strongly from the Māori, the islands’ first inhabitants. 

Length: 3,000 km

Time to complete: up to 5 months

Difficulty: Dependent on your route

The Te Araroa Trail traverses the country from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south.  This diverse, long-distance trail comprises sandy beaches, rocky mountain passes, farm tracks, and even city streets. Each part of the trail offers a different challenge whether you intend to complete the entire length and breadth of the trail over a five-month period or do a multi-day hike or a scenic one day walk. The Nelson Lakes section of the trail offers a two-day walk from the Boyle campsite. 

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds located in the Bay of Islands is New Zealand’s most important historical and cultural site.  This is where over 500 Māori chiefs signed the treaty of Waitangi with representatives of the British Crown on 6 February 1840. The treaty laid the foundations of the country that New Zealand is today. Occupying a headland draped in lawns and bush, this is the countries most significant historic site. A guided tour includes a cultural performance, and entry to the Museum of Waitangi, the Carved Meeting House and the historic Treaty House.