Waiau Uwha Valley:
Looking north upvalley from Saddle Spur. The bridge is at bottom right. St James Walkway curls around the flats at left, and the St James Range is in the distance.
Photograph: matthew
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.

Explore New Zealand's Great Walks

Abel Tasman Coast Track
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 ...
Heaphy Track
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 ...
Kepler Track
Kepler Track  •  3 – 4 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.
Popular loop track providing access to the mountains around Lake Te Anau.
Lake Waikaremoana Track
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
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 ...
Paparoa Track
Paparoa Track  •  3 days. Easy/medium. One way.
New track located in Paparoa National Park, exploring the Paparoa Range, gold trails and limestone gorges. Paparoa Track is a dual-use ...
Rakiura Track
Rakiura Track  •  3 days. Easy/medium. Loop track.
An historic walk through almost deserted, pure podocarp forest.
Routeburn Track
Routeburn Track  •  2 – 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.
An internationally renowned and popular alpine crossing between Fiordland and Lake Wakatipu.
Tongariro Northern Circuit
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 ...

Classic walks

Dusky Track
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 ...
Hillary Trail
Hillary Trail  •  4 – 6 days. Medium. One way.
A spectacular coastal walk in the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland. ALOT OF THIS TRAIL IS CLOSED FOR KAURI DIE BACK ...
Hollyford Track
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
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)
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.
North West Circuit  •  10 – 12 days. Medium. Loop track.
The classic Stewart Island coastal journey known widely for its mud, abundant birdlife and beautiful beaches. Links with the Rakiura ...
Queen Charlotte 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 ...
Rees-Dart Track
Rees-Dart Track  •  3 – 4 days. Medium/hard. Loop track.
Alpine circuit along two river valleys at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
St James Walkway
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
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
Te Paki Coastal Track  •  3 – 4 days. Easy/medium. One way.
Explore the Far North coastline around Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua.

In the forums

Honorar Cobb River  •  Honorar in The campfire
Brother David says the Tasman District Council on Cobb Rd can give up to date information. David says it's a ...
Honorar Arthurs Pass to West Coast - wisdom needed.  •  Honorar in Tracks, routes, and huts
Hi Moh_Oz Just if when you did your route information-seeking and read stuff, if you're noticed any difference between the descriptions ...
Honorar Robust Inflatable Sleeping Matt  •  Honorar in Gear talk
My UL Synmat lasted 7 years and then developed a bulge. I replaced it with a Sea-to-Summit mat which looks ...
Honorar 4WD Access through Mt. White Station  •  Honorar in Tracks, routes, and huts
The formed 4WD track differentiates from the paper road from Lake Letitia i.e. from there on you can't use the ...
Honorar Saw cut gorge  •  Honorar in Tracks, routes, and huts
Oh bollocks. DoC have been using it as their private holiday area. You can go up the river 4km downstream ...
Honorar Is 15 too young to do an overnight on my own?  •  Honorar in Tracks, routes, and huts
My brother and his mate did a 3 day trip up the Otehake and down the Edwards when they were ...
Honorar Frank & Honora - credit where it's due.  •  Honorar in Tracks, routes, and huts
Thanks for that, Ian. I think you were the kind soul who gave me the big roll of reflecting material. ...
Honorar Arahua Pack Track End of March 2023  •  Honorar in Tramping partners
All the best. You'll need to carry emergency shelter in case you have an incapacitating injury e.g. a broken leg. ...
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Size M - Barely used (60L)  •  Bauerpowerr in Buy / sell / exchange
Hi @dreambroom - is this still available? If so, do you recall whether this is a S, M or L ...
ledge Contact needed for Mad Pom...  •  ledge in Tracks, routes, and huts
Mad Pom... Liked your Raukumara Ranges walk -was it in 2021? Did a similar crossing back in 1995. Please contact me urgently. I'd ...
One for the Old Timers  •  Triff2023 in The campfire
I was a member of several Kakapo searches in 1970, Sinnbad, Poisson river and other catchments were searches (not well). It ...
Ian_H Crossing snow layer melting underneath  •  Ian_H in The campfire
Thick snow covering a valley stream in summer? You're talking about avalanche debris right? It's usually pretty hard and stable ...
Pro-active choosing an NZ hike with kids  •  Pro-active in Tracks, routes, and huts
Can shorten the last day, but that's an easy part of the trip. If going anti-clockwise, then you're going up ...
Whitcome Pass : End of March-April 2023  •  JustinMcG in Tramping partners
Hi I'm looking for someone to partner up with a trip over the Whitcome pass from West to East in ...
hiking shoes ?.  •  NohjMarbo in Gear talk
Hi, I read your above discussion about hiking shoes and I kinda liked it. if you wanna read about the ...
Ian_H Unexplored Fiordland Valleys  •  Ian_H in Tracks, routes, and huts
There must be parts of some valleys/side valleys that no one has set foot in, but I think there would ...
Southern crossing Tararua  •  SethJJ in Tramping partners
Interested in this hike too. Currently heading to Queenstown but could meet up on the 14/15th
choosing an NZ hike with kids  •  Rhondda in Tracks, routes, and huts
I second the caution about the weather. I've never done the Paparoa and yes the west coast gets a lot ...
Macpac Traverse Jacket durability  •  waynowski in Gear talk
heavier face fabrics just have more abrasion resistance... whether it delaminates is down more to the quality of the membrane macpac ...
chriss Tin Range GPS Waypoints  •  chriss in Beginners and newbies
sent a link to your forum mail
geeves Water purifier- which one to buy?  •  geeves in Gear talk
Why cant I see a model suitable for hiking on your website?
Advanced tramping in Nelson area  •  Chriscarol in Tramping partners
I got too much interesting stuff on your blog. I guess I am not the only one having all the ...
Multi Day Hike for Kids  •  Rhondda in Tracks, routes, and huts
The greenstone/caples is a lovely 4 day walk for kids. The days are not too long, the track and huts ...
Macpac Anapurna sleeping bag  •  van123 in Gear talk
hi, anyone here remember what the old late ninties macpac anapurna sleeping bags were rated to? these were the reflex ...
OR MicroGravity Shell  •  Moh_Oz in Gear talk
Has anyone had any experience with Outdoor Research's Microgravity jacket or OR's Ascentshell 3L fabric? I'm not expecting it to ...

What's new?

Ascent of Mt Bruce via Mt Hecla from Cookies Hut
Ascent of Mt Bruce via Mt Hecla from Cookies Hut  •  Article, added
Day trip from the Swift River to do a total 1400m height gain, visiting a less-climbed summit west of Mt ...
4 day circuit taking in Snowy Gorge, Maitland and Hideaway Huts
Circuit via valleys north of the Ahuriri River visiting 3 attractive historical huts.
Mt Hiwiroa
Mt Hiwiroa  •  Track, updated
An energetic return day trip. The first half follows relatively easy tracks but the second half is overgrown and more ...
Jacks Pass Track
Jacks Pass Track  •  Track, updated
A quick subalpine route onto Mount Isobel.
Amazon Prime Error CS11  •  Article, added
Digitech provides reliable and effective technical support to assist users facing Amazon Prime Error CS11.
HP Printer in Error State  •  Article, updated
Examine the Printer Connections: If your HP printer is malfunctioning,
How to interact with packers and movers in rt nagar  •  Track, updated
Looking for green flags on how to interact with the best packers and movers in rt nagar? Here are some ...
North West Circuit  •  Track, updated
The classic Stewart Island coastal journey known widely for its mud, abundant birdlife and beautiful beaches. Links with the Rakiura ...
Leslie-Karamea
Leslie-Karamea  •  Track, updated
Joins onto Wangapeka Track.
Section: Edwards River - McArthur Track
Section: Edwards River - McArthur Track  •  Track, updated
The southernmost section of the St James Cycle Trail, between Tophouse Road and the Lake Guyon junction on the Waiau ...
Circuit from Stanley Vale to Glenrae Saddle/Lake Hill/Lake Guyon
A day's tramping to an seldom visited picturesque area near the St James Cycleway.
Old Ghost Road
Old Ghost Road  •  Track, updated
A four or five day tramp from the Lyell Campsite(off SH6 in the Buller Gorge) to the Mokihinui road end ...
Kelly Range - Hunts Saddle Circuit
Kelly Range - Hunts Saddle Circuit  •  Track, updated
A challenging circuit route traversing the Kelly Range and returning along Kelly's Creek. The direction described is the easiest option.
Hut bagging Stony Stream Biv
Hut bagging Stony Stream Biv  •  Article, updated
A weekend trip into the Hamner Conservation Area to visit a wee biv in good condition. A much appreciated track ...
Te Kiekie route - Mt Somers
Te Kiekie route - Mt Somers  •  Track, updated
New marked route linking the summit of Mt Somers with the Mt Somers track.
Casey/Castle Hill Return
Casey/Castle Hill Return  •  Article, added
A weekend trip with the Peninsula Tramping Club where we ascended to Castle Hill from the Surprise/Casey Stream junction and ...
Three passes + Pope's pass  •  Article, added
Variant to standard three passes from Klondyke corner back to SH73 via the Taipo. Watch out for the lower Julia ...
Thesis Pk – indiretissima  •  Article, added
A wander up the attractive Centre Creek off the Avoca valley to climb Thesis Pk the longer way.

Photographs

Out in the hills

Honorar visited Blue Mountain Hut
16 March 202316 March
Blue Mountain Hut
Dive-Climb-Ride walked Queen Charlotte Track
24 February 202324 February
Queen Charlotte Track
Did it in 2 days and with a 40l pack for a challenge. Hated myself afterwards for a couple hours but legs had recovered by the next day. Will do it again slower with a bigger pack for sure.
Samsu walked Bowen Peak
22 February 202322 February
Bowen Peak
Moh_Oz walked Mt Philistine Traverse
12 February 202312 February
Mt Philistine Traverse
Easy travel up to the summit of Mt Philistine. A fair amount of time spent working out the route along Philistine-Rolleston Ridge with a heavy pack. Left the ridge using the steep scree ramp at Pt1860. The rest of the route was pretty straight forward to the hut
otapine visited Marauiti Hut
10 February 202310 February
Marauiti Hut
matthew walked Jacks Pass Track
21 January 202321 January
Jacks Pass Track
Clouded in, no views, nice walk.
Gunnaer walked Packhorse Hut Track
16 April 202216 April
Packhorse Hut Track
Laurahussey walked Milford Track
30 March 202230 March
Milford Track
Cant wait to explore this beautiful 4day 3night track, first time for me, definitely after the experience may not be the last, lets go!!! any advice would be amazing before i go :) Facebook
bigpaul tried Pureora Forest Park
11 March 202211 March 2022
Pureora Forest Park
A Blustery day but fun as usual
Bozeman visited Poulter Bivvy
10 March 202210 March 2022
Poulter Bivvy
Biv in perfect condition. 12 hut book entries for 2021.
pmcke walked Jane Peak, Eyre Mountains
8 March 20228 March 2022
Jane Peak, Eyre Mountains
You may presume that Jane Peak is a wry reference to Jane Eyre in the novels but I have always understood Jane Peak and Helen Peaks to be named after the wives of two brothers who were the first settlers on the Waimea Plains near Lumsden.
glennj walked Mt Turiwhate track
4 January 20224 January 2022
Mt Turiwhate track
Dave W. came along. Climbed up through cloud but tops were clear.
SimonJ visited Snowy Hut / Snowy River Hut
2 January 20222 January 2022
Snowy Hut / Snowy River Hut
I visited on 27/12/2021 via the 'true right logging roads' noted by Madpom.
lil50 walked Mt Alford
4 December 20214 December 2021
Mt Alford
MistaB walked Tarawera Trail
19 November 202119 November 2021
Tarawera Trail
If you are staying at Hot Water Beach camp, you definitely have to book first. $30 per site (2 pax)
Caretaker walked Urchin - Waipakihi Hut - Umukarikari Trip
5 November 20215 November 2021
Urchin - Waipakihi Hut - Umukarikari Trip
Honora visited Tribulation Hut
25 July 202125 July 2021
Tribulation Hut
Access is fine now. Some parts of the track have disappeared but it's quite navigable. You may prefer going directly up Redcliffe Stream as it's full of silt and easy to walk up rather than following the usual route with its occasional 4WD tracks. Best to start on the true left of the river as the foot track has been wiped out on the true right and there's only thick scrub there! The route down to Cookies Hut is fine as well. The toilet at Trib Hut is lying downstream on its side!
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