Walking Holidays in New Zealand

Top 5 Hikes on Walking Holidays in New Zealand

Whirinaki Forest Park: Spanning an incredible 60,0000 hectares, Whirinaki Forest Park is known for its mighty podocarp trees. Owing to its Jurassic-like landscape, the forest was used as a location when filming the BBC series ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’. It’s a strange but incredible feeling as you step back in time and hike among giant ferns and trees that are buzzing with rare wildlife. This is one of the world’s last prehistoric rainforests and learning about the history and diverse habitats is just fascinating.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Found inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tongariro National Park, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing takes you on a remarkable journey through a lunar-like volcanic landscape. Follow a meandering track that leads up to the Mt Tongariro’s craters and see the lava flow and ash fields en route to the Red Crater. The scenery on this hike is unlike anything else you’ve witnessed before and while certain sections are demanding, the views are the only reward you need for your efforts. Cradled by jagged peaks, the geothermal Emerald and Blue lakes of Tongariro are breath-taking and provide the perfect spot for enjoying the views.

Abel Tasman National Park Coastal Track: Situated to the north of South Island, Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its untouched natural beauty with a coastal trail that winds along golden beaches and the ridges of Wainui and Marahau. Discover verdant forests along the coast and walk over the suspension bridge that crosses Falls River as you pass between beautiful bays where sun-bleached sands and ocean views unfurl. Although the entire trail runs for 60km, even just walking a section will introduce you to some of New Zealand’s most diverse landscapes. Anchorage is particularly scenic and it’s worth spending some time on the beach to enjoy the views.

Rob Roy Glacier:  Wrapped inside Mt Aspiring National Park, the Rob Roy Glacier has a setting like no other. Starting from Raspberry Flat, the trail guides you over a suspension bridge and between soaring mountains, river valleys and pretty alpine lakes to reach this impressive glacier. Along the way you’ll climb through beech forest that fringes the Rob Roy Stream and eventually opens out onto an alpine meadow with a spectacular view of the giant glacier.  Look out for the kea, a species of mountain parrot indigenous to the alpine regions of New Zealand’s South Island.

Kepler Track: The awe-inspiring Kepler Track is filled with drama and intrigue and takes you on a journey of discovery through the UNESCO World Heritage area of Fiordland National Park. Walk among the exceptionally diverse wilderness made up of mountain peaks, native forest, waterfalls and glacial valleys. Because much of the area is dominated by water, a temperate rainforest has flourished here. Explore the lakeside before hiking through the forest and up to the limestone peaks where views of the Fiordland, Kepler mountains and glistening lakes roll into the distance.