Active NZ adventures for every level of fitness

Active relaxers make the most of New Zealand's diverse terrain. Photo / Supplied

After several weeks of lockdown and hindersome Covid-19 restrictions, you've been pounding the pavement directly outside your house. Walks day and night. Jogs to fill the gym gap. Squats in the "home fitness studio" AKA the garage. Now you're summer fit without even trying and as the days heat up, you're looking for new and interesting ways to utilise your newly formed buns of steel.

Or something like that.

For all active relaxers, both newly forged and well-established, this list of outdoor adventures will ensure your summer is a pleasantly energetic one.

New Zealand's best one-day and multi-day hikes

More than just a country with 10 Great Walks, there are many national hikes in New Zealand. By the Department of Conservation's own count, there are more than 1000 trails across conservation land, any of which could be considered a "great", given the right conditions and footwear.

We're letting the cat out of the bag on the best of them. Click here to read more..

New Zealand provides a seemingly endless supply of hiking trails. Photo / Supplied

11 ways to sweat. 11 ways to wind down afterwards

The best thing about hiking trips, bike rides and long walks up steep hills? Rewarding yourself at the end. Here are 11 places to relax and unwind after an active adventure, as soon as your local alert levels allow you to get out and about.

If it's not fun, what's the point? Click here for 11 adventures and 11 equally satisfying rewards to incentivise the exertion..

Reward your exertion by winding down in style. Photo / Supplied; Punga Cove

Four demanding days in the South Island

With only 2km left to go of the 30km hike, the sudden burst of tears takes me by surprise. Only a moment ago, I was silently congratulating myself on how well I've done, how I just have to push a little further to reach the finish line. Now I'm sobbing.

I'd cried earlier, too, but that was entirely warranted – I'd just slipped from an algae-covered rock into the fast-flowing waters of the Deception River, my hip and thigh landing hard on a boulder. The cold water did nothing to numb the pain, and the shock and frustration manifested in hot, embarrassed tears.

If you're a 'no pain, no gain' kind of adventurist, this mammoth undertaking will be right up your street. Read all about it here..

Cycling holidays in Hanmer Springs

This town's thermal springs have drawn visitors for a century or so, but in recent years Hanmer Springs has gained popularity as a hotbed of mountain biking with trails suited to all levels of rider.

Want to know how to pull off the very best cycling holiday in Hanmer Springs? Click here for the full lowdown..

Cycling holidays for every style of cyclist. Photo / Supplied, Charge About Queenstown, Cyclorama

Top NZ kayak and canoe trips

Led by the now quintuple Olympic gold medallist, Lisa Carrington of Ohope, as well as the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year, NZ has seen a huge uptake in people pursuing kayaking and canoeing.

In honour of our golden girl on the water, get out your paddles for these top four recreational trips in New Zealand that the Herald Travel team has done in the last year.

It's summer so falling in is desirable. Click here for a comprehensive guide to each trip..

Canoes on the Whanganui River. Photo / Bevan Conley.

Non-stop swimming all summer long

Aotearoa has 15,000km of coastline, which means that each of us gets 3 metres to find a tree, spread out a towel and moor a gently defrosting chilly bin.

And Jeez, Wayne, we're protective of it. Every living Kiwi has a summer place that no one else knows about and won't divulge in case everyone else finds it and spoils it. Hold onto your summer hats, we're about to break all rules and reveal the best of them...

From the tip of the top to the bottom of the South, these are NZ's best spots for summer swimming..

Summer is made for non-stop swimming pursuits. Photo / LoveTaupo

Check alert level restrictions and Ministry of Health advice before travel. covid19.govt.nz