I didn’t know tooĀ much about what my year of travel would look like, but I did know one thing: I wanted to be in nature. And man oh man is New Zealand the best playground for that, with the full spectrum of natural diversity within driving distance, a solid outdoor infrastructure (e.g., trails, campsites, huts), and a culture that truly values being outside.
After living out of my car and exploring for 4 months, I came to love every nook and cranny I found in this incredible country, in good weather and bad. So this list of the top 15 walks & hikes* comes with great difficulty –Ā I’ve based it off of natural beauty, novelty, and of course the personal experiences I dealt with along the way that make them extra sentimental š
*For comparison, I’veĀ made the list in terms of specific days as opposes to multi-day hikes. Feel free to shoot me a message with further details on any of the below!
15. BREAM HEAD LOOP TRACKĀ (WHANGAREI)
This half-day hike makes the list for several reasons: it was my first hike in New Zealand, it’s off the beaten path and somewhat tricky to get to, and its 360 degree OH MY GOD views are North Island goodness at its best (read: long beaches, jagged cliffs, mountains, farmland valleys, harbors, boats, surfers, dolphins, an island-studded ocean, seriously how is this possible). Go up the Peach Cove Track, switch over to the Te Whara Track to summit Bream HeadĀ and descend down to Ocean Beach before returning to the car park. There’s an unsigned spur track with some scrambling to reach the summit, but don’t pull an MJ – if it looks like an insane rock climb to get to the top, you’re on the wrong path *eye roll*
14. BEN LOMOND TRACK (QUEENSTOWN)
Easily accessible from Queenstown, Ben Lomond is probably the only full day hike available to travelers without transportation. While the entire climb to the ~1,750m summit is challenging, I found the first hour on the Tiki Trail to be the hardest part. I wouldn’t change a thing about my hike, but for those who aren’t as jazzed about the sweat-inducing work out, you can skip and take the gondola up to Bob’s Peak to start. Make sure to pack a hat and sunscreen as the trail has zero sun protection, wave to the trail runners and mountain bikers you’ll likely pass along the way, and enjoy the 360 degree ridiculous views at the top!
13. MOTUKIEKIE BEACH (RAPAHOE)
Another hidden gem, 1) because of the ridiculous rock structures, 2) because most people don’t know about itĀ and 3) because it’s only accessible at low tide, revealing so many little treasures (e.g., archways, starfish, crabs, shells)! While this wasn’t a ‘hike’ by any definition, it was definitely a coastline wonder-walk. Plan to go at low-tide and I promise you won’t regret it š
12. WHARARIKI BEACH TO PILLAR POINT (GOLDEN BAY)
I know, WhararikiĀ & Motukiekie are pretty similar when it comes to ridiculous rock formations. But while Motukiekie mayĀ have less tourists and more hidden treasures along the way, it can’t beat Wharariki’s dramatic headland coastline, withĀ towering cliffs, archways, caves, tons of seals, and views of the Farewell Spit & Golden Bay at the Pillar Point lighthouse. Go for this half-day hike at mid/low tide –Ā even if it’s not ideal weatherĀ –Ā look for the colored poles (as the route is not clearly marked), and be careful not to step in sheep poop.
11. KEY SUMMIT TRACK (FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK)Ā
Considered the most popular hike off of Milford Road, this half-day hike takes you up a series of switchbacks to a playground of lush alpine vegetation, mirror-like tarns, and never-ending alpine views. The guided nature walk is worth its while if you’ve got the time. However, the real highlight of this track is the unmarked trail mostĀ tourists miss, only known to some locals and of course, my handy dandy guidebook. It takes you through panoramic ridgelines, more alpine tarns, and dense bush, offering views of Lake Gunn in the Eglinton Valley and Lake McKellar in the Greenstone Valley. Not to miss!
10. AVALANCHE PEAK (ARTHUR’S PASS NATIONAL PARK)
I went out with a bang for my last hike in New Zealand, with the challenging, popular hike up to the ~1,100m Avalanche Peak. It’s never ending alpine eye candy as you climb above the bush line, with a rocky scramble right before you reach theĀ summit to 360 degree alpine overload. Go in fine weather only and make sure to say hello (and don’t feed!) the endangered keas, the world’s only alpine parrot š
9. SKYLINE TRACK (WANAKA)
WhileĀ Royās PeakĀ is probablyĀ the most popular hike in Wanaka, rewarding you with incredible panoramic views after a seemingly never ending slew of uphill switchbacks, the challengingĀ 10-11 hour 19kmĀ Skyline TrackĀ takes you along a view-packed mountain ridge and drops you off at Royās Peak. It was my first long solo day hike and I’m still blown away that running elites can pull this off in ~3.5 hoursĀ -__-Ā Go in fine weather only as the ridge line is somewhat technical, and make sure to figureĀ out transportation beforehand as the track is one-way… or pull an MJ andĀ hitchhike š
8. HOOKER VALLEY TRACK (AORAKI/MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK)
It’s understandable thatĀ the Hooker Valley Track is considered one of the most popular half-day hikes in the South Island. It’s easy AF (I ran it the second time around) and decked out with soaring alpine views, insane swing-bridges, glaciers, waterfalls, funky alpine plants, milky blue rivers, morraine-dammed glacial lakes with floating icebergs, and of course, Aoraki/Mt. Cook – the tallest mountain in New Zealand – piercing the sky!
7. MOUNT ALFRED (GLENORCHY)
I’m in love withĀ Glenorchy for several reasons,Ā and this day hike is a big reason for it. It’s easily accessible from Queenstown, a great workout to the 1,375m summit, and situated in between the Dart & Rees River valleys, Lake Wakatipu, and the Humboldts mountains, meaning JAW DROPPINGĀ views. Go in fine weather only, as the last quarter of the hike goes above the bushline into tussock territory,Ā and bring a windbreaker so you can enjoy summit plateau at leisure!
6. LIVERPOOL HUT & ROB ROY GLACIER (MOUNT ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK)
I did this hike as part of a 3 day adventureĀ into the Matukituki Valley, but it’s possible to do it in reverse in one day (and return the following day, unless you’re a total badass). The walk through the valley is Sound of Music gorgeous and flat most of the way, the steeeeep uphill climb to the hut is intense but ridiculously fun if you treat it as a natural adventure course, and the tiny red hutĀ perched up in the mountains is my kind of heaven. While the Rob Roy Glacier is crowded AF, if you’re lucky you’ll be completely mesmerized by the ~260m waterfall doing it’s dance with the wind!
5. TONGARIRO CROSSING (TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK)
I’m not surprised that many consider this 19.4km trek the best day hike in New Zealand and one of the ten best in the world. The Martian-like terrain is one-of-a-kind, with volcanic craters, mineral-rich lakes and pools, and expansive views of Lake Rotoaira & Lake Taupo to the east and Mount Taranaki to the west. Not to mention it’s the home of Mordor for all you LOTR geeks š Make sure to go in fine-weather only, figure out your transportation plan in advance as the hike is not a loop, and don’t pull an MJ and go with a near empty gas tank…
4. LAKE MARIAN (FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK)
Definitely the best half-day hike in my books, and not just because it was just what I needed after my frantic morning. Right off of Milford Road, this trail is steep and all rocks & roots (so much so that I definitely went off course), but in less than an hour you’re rewarded with an emerald blue hanging lake surrounded by an amphitheater of sheer rock and countless waterfalls. Go on a sunny dayĀ and you won’t be disappointed by the magnificent reflections, afternoon lounging, and the refreshing swim š
3. GERTRUDE SADDLE (FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK)
It’s hard to separate the incredible beauty of this day from the absolute nightmare that followed, but when I do it’s clear that the Gertrude Saddle makes it to the top 3. The jaw drops right as you start the hike in a glacial valley right off of Milford Road, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls in every direction. Be wary as you start the ascent up the saddle – the trail becomes harder to follow as there are no permanent markings, and the route can be lethal in bad weather. Along the way you’ll see snow patches, alpine lakes, ridiculous views from where you just came, and waterfalls upon waterfalls beforeĀ being greeted with one of the best views in New Zealand at the top. Be even more wary on your way down, and (please don’t) break a leg!
2. GILLESPIE PASS DAY 2 (MOUNT ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK)
The Gillespie Pass highlighted the peak of my hiking days for many reasons, and Day 2 was where it was AT. It was the longest hike I did (12+ hours), during which I hiked through the cliff-enclosed Young Valley, crossed over the Gillespie Pass, descended down to the Gillespie & Siberie Streams, and did the must-do side trip to ice-berg filled Lake Crucible in a hanging valley. It’s adventure packed, terrain packed, and view packed goodness, even in the meh weather I did it in.
1. KEPLER TRACK DAY 2 (FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK)
This day changed my life.Ā It was the first time I was so moved by the beauty surrounding me that I was brought to full-on-bawling-tears. Perhaps it was because of the clouds finally parting late in the day when there was no one else on the ridge line, or because it was the first time I was greeted by the highly intelligent keas, or because theĀ mountains seemed to go on for an eternity, covered in lush greens, yellows, reds, browns, and whites, and studded with gorgeous blue lakes. The Kepler Track is a popular Great Walk, and understandably so – that ridge line is etched in my memory forever.
There is wood.
MJ & the world 