Nau mai, haere mai

Hiking or backpacking: here in Aotearoa / New Zealand, we call it tramping. Tramping is heading off into the backcountry with everything you need on your back, and doing it safely so you can get home again. Experienced tramper, visitor to the country, or simply thinking about getting into tramping, find the information you need here to plan your adventure.

Classic walks

Abel Tasman Coast Track • 3 – 5 days. Easy. One way.

Easy, sunny coastal track with golden sands and excellent swimming. The busiest track in the country, following the length of ...

Dusky Track • 8 – 10 days. Medium. One way.

This journey explores the glacial valleys and mountains of Fiordland from Lake Hauroko to Lake Manapouri, visiting Dusky Sound along ...

Heaphy Track • 4 – 6 days. Easy. One way.

A classic crossing of the geologically and biologically diverse northwest corner of the South Island. The track is also open to ...

Hillary Trail • 4 – 6 days. Medium. One way.

A spectacular coastal walk in the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland.

Hollyford Track • 4 days. Medium. One way.

The Hollyford Track is a classic lowland Fiordland route from the Hollyford Road out to the coast at Martins Bay.

Hump Ridge Track • 3 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.

The Hump Ridge Track links the Waitutu coastline west of Invercargill with the subalpine landscape of the Hump Ridge. Historic ...

Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles Walk) • 1 – 2 days. Easy/medium. Return by the same track.

An overnight trip past old kauri dams to The Pinnacles, on Coromandel Peninsula.

Kepler Track • 3 – 4 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.

Popular loop track providing access to the mountains around Lake Te Anau.

Lake Waikaremoana Track • 3 – 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.

"The Lake Track." Busy track in summer with swimming and fishing along the lake-side.

Milford Track • 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.

The Milford Track is an alpine journey through Fiordland National Park, and New Zealand's most renowned walking track, visited by ...

North West Circuit • 10 – 12 days. Medium. Loop track.

The classic Stewart Island coastal journey known widely for its mud. Links with the Rakiura Track.

Paparoa Track • 3 days. Easy/medium. One way.

New track located in Paparoa National Park, and still under construction. The track is scheduled to open late 2018. This track ...

Queen Charlotte Track • 3 – 5 days. Easy. One way.

A long but easy walk along Queen Charlotte Sound. This track offers hostel and resort accommodation as well as basic ...

Rakiura Track • 3 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.

An historic walk through almost deserted, pure podocarp forest.

Rees-Dart Track • 3 – 4 days. Medium/hard. Loop track.

Alpine circuit along two river valleys at the head of Lake Wakatipu.

Routeburn Track • 2 – 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.

An internationally renowned and popular alpine crossing between Fiordland and Lake Wakatipu.

St James Walkway • 5 days. Easy/medium. One way.

A long and easy walk on St James Station near Lewis Pass. Beech forest, mountain scenery, farmland, wild horses, mud.

Te Araroa Trail • 95 days. Medium. One way.

Te Araroa is a walking trail running the entire length of the North and South Islands. The trail opened 3 ...

Te Paki Coastal Track • 3 – 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.

Explore the Far North coastline around Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua.

Tongariro Northern Circuit • 3 – 4 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.

This circuit on the Volcanic Plateau passes close to the summit of Tongariro in a spectacular, active volcanic landscape of ...

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In the forums

Light weight rain jacket • lloydy 21 Sep 2018 in Gear talk

I'd recommend the Rab Spark, lightweight breathable and good value, performs well https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/mens-clothing-c1/mens-waterproof-shell-c51/waterproof-jackets-c203/spark-jacket-p4986 Alternatively maybe less features, but difficult to go wrong ...

drone and smart phone has become essential • waynowski 21 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

ITS ILLEGAL TO FLY A DRONE IN NZ CONSERVATION PARKS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL BEING GAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION. THIS ...

Drones in National Parks • Gregor 21 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

If anyone thinks this situation will improve before it gets way worse; if anyone thinks the increasing numbers of people ...

September 2018 updates: Profile pages and more • Matthew 21 Sep 2018 in This website

Kia ora koutou, Just to note that blocking users is now functional again. If you block a user... - You don't see ...

Jet boil... • Scottie 21 Sep 2018 in Gear talk

I have a Jetboil and I do love it. The piezo's on them break real easy, so always have another way ...

Kerikeri/waipapa/paihia area • si-dog 18 Sep 2018 in Tramping partners

Are there any meetup groups up that way that would meet your needs? These gyuys may also do walks in ...

Hunter who shot his buddy can't avoid conviction • waynowski 18 Sep 2018 in The campfire

in a dark forest you tend to become colour blind, it can be hard to tell what the real colout ...

Cape Brett track • Pro-active 18 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

No camping allowed. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/cape-brett-and-whangamumu-area/things-to-do/cape-brett-hut/

Mt Pirongia overnighter • M400-1 17 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Which track are you speaking of PhilipW? I have heard a number of nightmare stories about Bell track before I ...

Routeburn Winter • Ian_H 15 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Yes, I'd say early spring - September - October is generally the worst time to try going through there. Plenty ...

Sea To Summit X-Pot & X-Pot-Kettle anybody ?. • Pro-active 15 Sep 2018 in Gear talk

Bivouac had a "20% off" promotion. Scored the kettle/pot combo, which was already cheaper than buying each seperately. Kettle sits ...

Garmin route (gpx?) for Tararuas - Waitewaewae • monkeysh1ne 13 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Thx si-dog. Will check out for sure. Found doc map little misleading (old track no go unfortunately as massive slip) ...

Whanganui Jouney - Drop-Off/Pick-Up Service? • waynowski 11 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

taumaranui canoe hire https://www.google.co.nz/search?num=50&newwindow=1&rlz=1C1CHBF_enNZ807NZ807&ei=h1SXW8LfLaCCk-4PpJ294Aw&q=taumaranui+canoe+hire&oq=taumaranui+canoe+hire&gs_l=psy-ab.3...3883.5671.0.5966.11.8.0.0.0.0.405.405.4-1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..11.0.0....0.ETflpd8oxFU

Two huts you won't be visiting any time soon • nzbazza 11 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Diggers hut is now Divers hut...

The 'floating' backpack • Pro-active 10 Sep 2018 in Gear talk

""A “floating” backpack may make hiking a tad easier on your back. The HoverGlide is a backpack that bounces up ...

Fiordland ideas for 22 April-10 May • marian 10 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Thanks again everyone! Who wants to come to Canada and hike the Rockies together (I'll host you), if you accompany me ...

Te Araroa South To North - Jan ~ April • JenMarsden 9 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Thanks for the feedback guys. Much appreciated.

A couple of questions about track to Pinchgut Hut • Honora 7 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

DoC, bless them, have rebenched the track around that hole so it is now back to easy though there are ...

Buying pierce type gas cannisters in Wellington? • Honora 7 Sep 2018 in Gear talk

I sometimes see these canisters abandoned in huts. And no one else wants them.

Tramper attacked by flying sheep in Ireland • Ian_H 7 Sep 2018 in The campfire

>World wide nearly 5 times as many people are killed by herbivorous animals than by carnivores. I would disagree. Mosquitos are ...

Ivory Lake Hut to Top Tuke Hut:how dangerous is it • Ararimu12 6 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Thanks glennj. Very helpful. I also enjoyed viewing your photos. The Haystack photo was of particular interest as we're aiming to go ...

Prescription antibiotics in first-aid • waynowski 6 Sep 2018 in Gear talk

my understanding is fosamax, kills the bone... it can stop further osteoporosis but the bone can't repair itself from further ...

Is North Mangahao Biv the hardest Tararua hut? • Bagger 5 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

Thanks si-dog. Read somewhere that there is a trail down the spur to the west of 686 that reaches the ...

Good zipped rainproof pants? • si-dog 3 Sep 2018 in Gear talk

Thanks Honora - I bought an ESS jacket at the recent welly sale, but couldnt also afford the pants they ...

Those new Great Walks • waynowski 1 Sep 2018 in Tracks, routes, and huts

i started most of my tramping in the tararuas in the eighties... then i went to abel tasman national park, talk ...

What's new?

Kepler Track • Track, updated 11 Sep 2018

Popular loop track providing access to the mountains around Lake Te Anau.

Waimairi Walkway • Track, updated 20 Aug 2018

Farm walking, birdlife, picnicking, swimming, and hydrological ponderings.

Hawea Solitude • Article, updated 28 Jun 2018

Who would have thought you could have huts to yourself on a long weekend within an hour’s drive of one ...

Ball Pass • Track, updated 14 Jun 2018

A challenging crossing of the Kirikirikatata / Mount Cook Range between the Hooker and Tasman Glaciers just 5km south of ...

Waitākere and Hunua Ranges closure • Article, updated 19 May 2018

All Waitākere Ranges forested areas are closed to public access from 1 May. 10 high risk tracks in the Hunua ...

Kowhai - Hapuku Track • Track, updated 7 May 2018

This track follows two river valleys between Mount Fyffe and the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges. Since the Nov 2016 earthquakes, times ...

Banks Track • Track, updated 19 Apr 2018

NZ's original private walking track. It begins and ends in Akaroa.

Kirwans Track • Track, updated 5 Mar 2018

This classic circuit explore Reefton's gold history, starting from the site of the Capleston gold town and leading up to ...

Lake Wilson and the Valley of the Trolls • Track, updated 28 Feb 2018

An overnight or multiday scenic diversion from the Routeburn Great Walk. The Valley of the Trolls is easily accessed from ...

Walking the length of NZ's main divide • Track, updated 26 Feb 2018

A guide to / summary of my progress on one possible route from East Cape to West Cape, the length ...

Milford Track • Track, updated 9 Feb 2018

The Milford Track is an alpine journey through Fiordland National Park, and New Zealand's most renowned walking track, visited by ...

Not The Routeburn • Article, updated 4 Feb 2018

A six-passes trip through the Humboldt Mountains from Glenorchy to the Milford Road. Six untracked rocky passes. Seven little-visited catchments. The ...

Matukituki to Paradise by roads less travelled • Track, updated 25 Jan 2018

A rough, tough crossing from Raspberry Flat (Aspiring Road, Wanaka) to the Earnslaw Burn (Glenorchy-Paradise road) via Shotover Saddle, Lochnagar, ...