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New Zealand has some of the most stunning walking routes on the planet. They're world famous. The most well known are: The Milford Track, the Routeburn Track, the Kepler, Stewart Island's, Rakiura Track, the Heaphy Track, Abel Tasman Coastal Track, The Tongariro National Park and Lake Waikaremoana.

The Great Walks

Please note that to go hiking in New Zealand’s national parks you must be permitted by the Department Of Conservation or DOC they have headquarters in or near each of the parks and also have offices throughout the country.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is 51 kilometres long. It's an easy to moderate route that will take you between three and five days, with plenty of time left over to relax and explore. You'll see some beautiful scenery along the way; the route takes you through a picturesque landscape of coastal forests and golden sandy beaches.

Heaphy Track
The Heaphy Track passes through the Kahurangi National Park. It crosses over a range of landscapes from the junction of the Brown and Aorere Rivers, over expansive tussock downs to the lush forests and roaring sea of the West Coast. It's 82 kilometres in total and suitable for fit, well equipped people.

Kepler Track
The Kepler Track is 60 kilometres long and will take you about for days to complete. It's a moderate track that passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in Fiordland National Park; lake edges, beech forests, alpine mountains and spectacular U-shaped glacial valleys.

Lake Waikaremoana Track
The Lake Waikaremoana track can be found in the Te Urewera National Park. It's 46 kilometres long and takes about four days to complete. It's a moderate trek. Most of the route follows the lakeshore. You'll see some magnificent forested scenery and there'll be plenty of opportunities to go swimming and fishing. The Lake Waikaremoana Track can be done at any time of the year

Milford Track
This route, widely believed to be the "the finest walk in the world", extends for 54 kilometres from the northern end of Lake Te Anau, to Sand fly Point near Milford Sound. It's in the heart of spectacular Fiordland National park and is renowned for its exceptional beauty with glacially carved valleys, alpine flowers and waterfalls.

Rakiura Track
Located in New Zealand’s most southerly and newest national park, this is a Three day walking track that's suitable for anybody with moderate fitness. It's 29 kilometres long and can be walked all year round.

Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track will take you between two and three days. It's 32 kilometres in total. You'll pass from Mount Aspiring to the Fiordland national parks via the Harris Saddle. The scenery here is stunning. You'll see dramatic waterfalls, lush green forests and imposing mountain peaks. The area is rich in wildlife too, especially birdlife.

Tongariro Northern Circuit
This is a stunning route. It passes over the Mt Tongariro and around Mt Ngauruhoe. This surreal landscape consists of huge volcanic craters and massive glacial valleys.

Whanganui Journey
The Whanganui River winds its way from the mountains to the Tasman Sea through countless hills and valleys. Lowland forest surrounds the river in its middle and lower reaches - the heart of Whanganui National Park.