Tips for a perfect day walk

In our Day Walks in New Zealand competition, we asked you for your top tips for a fabulous walk in Aotearoa.

Here were the best gems you had to share...

Start early. Catch the early-morning freshness of the day, birdsong, few people (on the road or on the track) and the sunrise if you are really keen, savouring the memory of a great day walk in NZ.
Jan-Marie Thomas

Hike with good friends and take time to soak up the wonders of your journey. Enjoy the spectacular scenery then relive your experiences, preferably at an isolated hut around a campfire. Retelling these events later will make you the envy of all.
Bill Turnbull

Wear tramping boots, cleaned from your last tramp; use the kauri dieback cleaning station before you head on your walk; and keep the dog on the leash. We've got to keep our great tracks beautiful and pest free so we can continue to walk them and experience the magic of New Zealand nature and wildlife.
Nicola Warmington

Be prepared: The weather can change quickly so have extra clothes handy. Have spare food and water. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. Take heaps of photos and make notes of where you were and outstanding features. Above all enjoy yourself. Take photos and leave only footprints.
Owen Jones

My best tip for a day walk is to keep a bit of raw sheep's wool in your socks to prevent rubbing and blisters. Weighs nothing and works a treat.
Ruth Thielke

First work out where you will go — it doesn't have to be exact, half the fun can be exploring and being able to wander, look and see as you can. Pack accordingly and grab as many good walking buddies as you desire. I think what makes it fun is making the most of wherever you go or end up. It may not be exactly as you expected, but if you are prepared to actually "see" where you are and absorb all that surrounds you, you will find it is a wonderful experience. We are so lucky in New Zealand that even the most insignificant or smallest walk can end up providing a full day of discovery, beauty and joy.
Louise Irving

Always take a spare pair of socks in your backpack and make sure they're merino. Even on the hottest summer day they really do reduce the likelihood of blisters. If it does rain, walking with freezing wet feet isn't fun and the bliss halfway through of putting on a dry pair changes the outlook to otherwise fine.
Joanne Mitchell

Always have a silver emergency blanket in your backpack in case of injury or getting lost. They keep you warm and are small and light.
Hillary Harper

Make the journey more important than the finish. Start early (first light) and take your time. If you're interested in birds, stop to listen and look. If you like trees, sit and observe. Hug the tree(s). We already live in a fast, fast world, so slow down when you do a walk. Learn to listen to your breath and slow it down a bit too. A simple survival tip is: carry a whistle on your backpack.
Siets Andringa

As NZ has such variable weather conditions, it's important to keep layers of light clothing (such as merino or fleece top) in your bag. With the harsh sun, a wide brim hat is essential when walking in open areas. Keep a few sweets or chocolate handy if your energy crashes and lastly, have a few cold drinks in a cooler back at your car or camping site. Beer or kombucha does wonders.
Jonathan Clark

Always make sure you carry enough water. Once on the Queen Charlotte walkway, we ran out of water and had to drink some of our wine, as we were so thirsty. The taps we found had run dry.
Denise Dalziel

We are both in our "twilight years" and very much enjoy NZ's outdoors. Our top tip for a day walk or overnight trek is we always tell family or someone where we are going and carry an Epirb (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) that is linked to the Rescue Co-ordination Centre NZ. We know our limits, dress appropriately for all weathers, have suitable footwear, plenty of food and water, also any medications needed.
Robyn Crawford

Take double the amount of water you think you will need to drink — a 1litre bottle plus a water bladder to save on weight. Load up on good snacks and take the local paper map of your walk from the nearest i-site — just in case of no mobile service. This is also a good way to show others in your party how far to go or how far you have walked.
Sarah Theodosiou

Wear IceBreaker or other fine wool garments. They really do work well in both hot and cool conditions. No itch, no clammy feel when you are cooling down after a sweaty walk, and no pong if worn day after day. They have revolutionised my walking and I wish it had been available when I did my long treks in Nepal.
Michele Whitten

For a full list of DoC's New Zealand's day walks, check out their website.