New Zealand is renowned for its diverse, scenic landscape and outdoor culture. When asking a local what people here do for fun, he responded simply, “Go outside, do some sport.” And what better way to combine fitness and the beautiful outdoors than hiking? NZ boasts some of the most impressive hiking tracks in the world, from subtropical forests to mountains and glacial lakes to waterfalls, the best way to discover this country’s stunning geography is on foot.
During my seven months in New Zealand, I lived like the locals and tried to “get outside and do some sport” as often as I could, and I’m excited to share my favorite short walks and day hikes on these two stunning and distinctly different islands.
**A note: tracks can be closed due to weather or natural disasters like landslides (“slips”), so check All Trails or the New Zealand Department of Conservation website before setting out.
North Islands Hikes
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Rating: Hard
Length: 19.8 km
Elevation gain: 843 m
All Trails Map: Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Located in Tongariro National Park, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of New Zealand’s most iconic day hikes. Starting from the Mangatepopo parking lot, the track wanders across the stunning alpine meadow before passing Soda Springs waterfalls.
The track crosses a small suspension bridge and your ascent begins over volcanic terrain. Following your ascent up the Devil’s Staircase, you’re rewarded with a level trail through the South Crater and perfect views of conical Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings!). Enjoy the short, flat walk through the crater’s moonscape before your final push to the edge of the Red Crater.
The trail climbs up the desolate ridgeline, where you’re rewarded with views of the cavernous Red Crater and the sparkling Emerald Lakes. The short descent to the Emerald Lakes is treacherous, the track is soft volcanic sand/soil that’s easy to slip and slide in, so take it slow and admire the striking scenery.
The Emerald Lakes are the perfect to stop for lunch before continuing towards the Blue Lake. Departing the Emerald Lakes you’ll trek out of the Red Crater and climb the ridgeline overlooking the Blue Lake. From here you climb a bit further before beginning your final descent.
Leaving the moonscape and volcanic craters behind, you’re back in the tawny alpine meadow overlooking Lake Rotoaira. For me, the descent was unextraordinary and long, and I was glad to be back in the subtropical rainforest exiting the trail after 19.8 km.
While an epic hike, some planning is required for the Tongariro Crossing. First, unless you have someone to drop you off and pick you up again, you have to book a shuttle as this trail is point-to-point. The shuttle costs $60 per person, and you’ll park in Ketetahi (at the trail’s end) and the shuttle will take you to the trailhead at Mangatepopo. You’ll walk another 1 km back to the car park when you complete the hike,
This hike takes 6-8 hours to complete, we did it in 7 hours with a generous lunch break and lots of photo stops, so it is crucial to pack enough snacks and water. We started at 6 a.m. and packed food for breakfast and lunch, and 2L of water per person.
Weather changes dramatically from the base to the summit, so pack in layers as it can be quite cold at the top. A winter hat and gloves are useful and don’t forget sunscreen for sun protection. Depending on what time you start/end your hike, a headlamp may be necessary. We started before sunrise and hiked for an hour in the dark. Also, there are outhouses every few hours, I highly recommend using them when available. These toilets aren’t stocked, so bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you.
Wairere Falls
Rating: Moderate/Hard
Length: 5.5 km
Elevation gain: 412 m
All Trails Map: Wairere Falls Track
Located within the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, this 2 hour-long track takes you to the top of the North Island’s largest waterfall, where you can witness the falls drop 153 m into the stream below. Beginning at the Wairere Falls car park, you’ll wind through the forest before arriving at a stream. The track winds along the stream for a while, and includes several bridge crossings. The elevation gain then becomes a bit more intense, and you’ll climb up a series of wooden stairs before getting back on the trail, where you’ll eventually reach the first viewing platform.
This outstanding photo stop offers spectacular views of the falls in all their glory. Continuing your climb, which can be muddy depending on recent precipitation, the terrain will flatten out, bringing you to the mouth of the falls. Here you can wade across the river that feeds the falls, and even lounge on the boulders and look down at the drop to the stream below (not for the faint of heart). Enjoy the view and take a rest before heading back down to the car park.
I did this hike after a night of rain, and the trail was quite muddy and slippery in places, which was uncomfortable, particularly in the steep spots, so watch the weather before you go. I recommend bringing enough water and snacks to enjoy as you lounge at the top of the falls.
Te Waihou Walkway – Blue Spring
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Length: 7.9 km
Elevation gain: 321 m
All Trails Map: Blue Spring from Whites Road
The Te Waihou Walkway near Putaruru follows the crystalline Waihou River to the iconic Blue Spring, one of the purest sources of water in the world and the font of 70% of NZ’s bottled water. This walk begins at the car park on Whites Road (which has very limited space, so arrive early to secure your spot as it is regularly patrolled by police to prevent parking on the road). Leaving the car park, you’ll begin your walk along the tranquil Waihou River, crossing several bridges and past livestock pastures.
You’ll then pass under a canopy of lush vegetation at the Waihou River Rapids, where the water seems to glow a neon blue. After the rapids, you’ll take a short flight of stairs up to the Blue Spring, a wide expanse of river with verdant aquatic vegetation, where you can rest on benches before turning back.
There is a shorter version of this hike that begins at Leslie Road, which only then takes 15 minutes to walk to the Blue Spring. If you start here, I recommend walking a bit further to the rapids to truly appreciate the beauty of the river.
Mauao Summit Walk – Mount Maunganui
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Length: 6.4 km
Elevation gain: 251 m
All Trails Map: Mount Maunganui Summit and Ranui Loop Track
This pleasant summit hike in the Bay of Plenty showcases 360-degree views of the Tauranga Harbor, Matakana Island, and the sprawling white-sand beaches of Mount Maunganui. Starting by the surf lifesaving station, you’ll begin your short ascent, taking anywhere from 30-45 minutes to reach the top. Upon summiting, you’re greeted with spectacular views of the ocean and beaches.
As you descend around the backside of the mountain, you’ll look out over Pilot Bay, Matakana Island, and the bustling Tauranga Harbour, before reaching the base track at the bottom. The base track is mostly flat and takes about 40 minutes to complete, where you can spot fur seals and admire the Pōhutukaw trees with vibrant red flowers.
Karangahake Windows Walk
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Length: 2.3 km
Elevation gain: 102 m
All Trails Map: Karangahake Windows Walk
This track is enjoyable for children and adults alike, as it’s relatively flat and follows the abandoned gold mining tunnels and railway along the Karangahake Gorge. After parking at the public car park off State Highway 2, you’ll cross two suspension bridges before taking the trail into the hillside. Here you’ll find a set of railroad tracks that lead towards the tunnels.
I recommend bringing a headlight or using your phone’s flashlight, as the tunnels are dark with some low beams that could be a hazard. Enjoy exploring these old mining tunnels and take time to stop and check out the view through the “windows” in the hillside that look out over the scenic Karangahake Gorge and stream.
Before looping back to the car park, you can take an optional detour and continue walking along the stream headed towards Dickey Flat Waterfalls. After about 25 minutes, you will arrive at a beautiful swimming hole with gentle cascades and rocks to jump from into the pools below.
Taranaki Falls
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Length: 6.0 km
Elevation gain: 145 m
All Trails Map: Taranaki Falls Walk
This stunning walk in Tongariro National Park offers stunning views of Mount Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. This hike begins at the car park near the Skotel Alpine Resort and features excellent views of snow-capped Mount Ruapehu as you walk through alpine shrubland. You will then enter a beech forest and begin to walk along the stream. Following the stream, you will cross a bridge over some smaller falls before returning to the alpine shrubland.
Follow the trail past some smaller falls and you will arrive at the spectacular Taranaki Falls. The trail loops up and above the falls, where you have a clear view of Mount Ruapehu. The trail then winds back through the alpine shrubland, with views of conical Mount Ngauruhoe in the background before arriving back at the car park.
I did this hike in early autumn (late February) and it was one of my favorite hikes on the North Island. The shrublands were speckled with pink flowers and when the sky cleared the views of Mount Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe were breathtaking.
South Island Hikes
Hooker Valley Track
Rating: Moderate
Length: 10.9 km
Elevation gain: 197 m
All Trails Map: Hooker Lake via Hooker Valley Track
This is one of the most popular walking tracks on the South Island, and for good reason, it’s relatively flat, scenic, and ends at a glacial lake overlooking Mount Cook. Leaving the car park you’ll walk through a valley before arriving at the first swinging bridge and look-out over Lake Mueller.
Continuing on the trail you’ll wind along a glacial stream, crossing several more bridges until you arrive at Hooker Lake. Stop to picnic along the shores of this flint-grey glacial lake as Mount Cook looms in the backdrop, and you may even see an iceberg or two.
Given its popularity, the car park fills up early, so it’s best to arrive before 9:00 am to secure a spot. Don’t expect to hike alone, especially in high season. During our hike in January, the trail was packed with hikers.
Roys Peak
Rating: Hard
Length: 16.3 km
Elevation gain: 1,310 m
All Trails Map: Roys Peak Track
This hike is a doozy with its constant elevation gain and switchbacks, however, the trail is wide and well-maintained, making it a popular day hike from Wanaka. One of the best parts is that the views are nice the entire way and keep getting better the higher you go. If you are hiking in summer, be sure to bring sufficient water (I recommend 2L per person) and sunscreen as there is no shade on the trail.
Once you arrive at the saddle, snap a photo on the iconic overlook, and brave the final 1.5 km to the summit. Take a well-deserved rest at the top and enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, and the bordering mountains. The descent goes a bit quicker and you can take in the views the whole way down.
Gertrude Saddle
Rating: Hard
Length: 8.2 km
Elevation gain: 645 m
All Trails Map: Gertrude Saddle Route
Gertrude Saddle is an epic hike near Te Anau that requires a bit of endurance and technical skill, but rewards hikers with spectacular mountain views. Beginning at the car park, this hike winds through an alpine valley before ascending into the mountains. This trail is less well marked than others I’ve done in NZ, so look out for cairns (stacked rocks) and orange/yellow triangles that point in the trail’s direction.
Views of a waterfall mark the beginning of the ascent, and you’ll climb through dense alpine vegetation before coming to a river crossing. Pay attention to the arrows, as there is only one place you can easily cross the river.
Once you’re over the river, the gravel trail ascends steeply to the Black Lake. To reach the lake, there are bolts and wires drilled into the rock face adjacent to a waterfall to assist with the ascent. Continue past the lake using the wire “handrails” for assistance, until you complete the final scramble to the saddle and are rewarded with unforgettable mountain views. I recommend swimming in the lake on the way down, it’s freezing but invigorating after all your hard work.
Given the technicality of this hike, it should only be attempted in fair weather, as any rain or moisture will make the rocks and boulders slippery and unsafe to climb.
