The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's 10 Great Walks. Photo / Stewart Nimmo
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's 10 Great Walks. Photo / Stewart Nimmo
New Zealand is well known for its incredible nature - and there is never a bad time to get amongst it, writes Thomas Bywater.
I spoke with a journalist from New York who had flown in to walk the Paparoa Track. What impressed him most was the scale of the project. There simply wasn’t another country he’d visited that took so much pride in making its outdoors accessible. Twenty-five years in the making, this 56km memorial hike was the toast of international tourism.
But “Great Walk number 10″ is just one of our country’s many national hikes. By the Department of Conservation’s count there are more than 1000 trails across conservation land, any of which could be considered a “great”, given the right conditions and footwear.
Anytime is a great time to bag a Great Walk. Plan your route, tread lightly and travel well.
The Te Paki Coastal trail takes walkers from Spirits Bay to 90 Mile Beach. Photo / Kaleb Johnston
This three-day trail of the “winterless north” is the perfect all-year-round hike. From Spirits Bay campsite to the surreal dunes of Ninety Mile Beach, the coastal track follows the very northern tip of the country. Passing Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua) and the lighthouse, it visits some of the most spiritually significant sites in New Zealand. Said to be the last point where souls depart the country for the afterlife, don’t put off a trip to the cape until then.
Mt Tarawera
On a day hike at Rotorua's Mt Tarawera, take a detour to see the crater lake at Waimangu volcanic valley. Photo / 123RF
Rotorua’s split mountain is a comfortable day hike at the heart of the thermal North Island. An eruption in 1886 altered the shape of the mountain and surrounding country, burying villages. The nearby Te Wairoa archaeological site and Waimangu geothermal valley are valuable detours for context. The 5-hour trip to the now dormant crater is a reminder of the dramatic and fiery forces that built New Zealand. Kaitiaki Tours runs guided hikes to the crater, with members of the Rangitihi Iwi, the kaitiaki (guardians) of the site. kaitiaki.co.nz
February to April offer the best weather to hike Mt Taranaki, or there are other shorter or multi-day routes and huts, open all year round. Photo / 123RF
The unique focal point of the region, the circular perimeter of Mt Taranaki is recognisable from space. On a (rare) clear day your hike will be rewarded with views back down the almost perfectly geometric cone. It’s unlike anything else in New Zealand - or possibly the planet.
The summit is a steep and challenging hike. Difficult but achievable, you should leave a 10-hour window for an ascent and attempt it only in good conditions. February to April offer the best weather for a day hike. However, there are other shorter or multi-day routes and huts around the side of this spectacular volcano, open all year round. Taranaki Tours provides guided hikes, advice and a useful shuttle between New Plymouth and the mountain. taranakitours.com
The greats
Routeburn Track
The route that launched 1000 blockbusters. The beech-lined journey from Paradise and the River Dart into the Routeburn Valley is one of the most scenic and a favourite with international tourists. Possibly because it is set against the snowy backdrops recognisable from the films of Peter Jackson and countless spin-offs. Split into three days and two nights, Ultimate Hikes runs guided multi-day tours. ultimatehikes.co.nz
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is one of New Zealand's most popular great walks. With no international crowds, now is the time to plan a trip. Photo / Unsplash
The most popular of the “great 10″‘, this could be the golden opportunity to take on the 60km track of crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches. At the subtropical north of the South Island, the coastal route is a top spot for sea kayakers and hikers alike.
Abel Tasman Guides run tours and transport options for independent groups — including options to mix hiking and kayaking legs along the route. For those wanting to hike specific sections, sea shuttles run up to four times a day, linking points between Totaranui and Marahau. Accommodation options on the 3-5 day Coast Track include four huts and 18 campsites, which must be booked in advance. Don’t forget your swimming togs. abeltasmanguides.co.nz
Paparoa Trail
Moonlight Tops Hut on the Paparoa Track. Photo / paparoagreatwalk.co.nz
The Paparoa Track: New Zealand’s 10th Great Walk, designed to accommodate both walkers and mountain bikers, offers a truly unique experience. Crossing the stunning alpine tops of the Paparoa Range, this purpose-built track takes you through a captivating journey.
From subtropical rainforests to mesmerising limestone karst landscapes, the trail provides breathtaking vistas of the Tasman Sea and Southern Alps. What sets the Paparoa Track apart is its poignant significance — it stands as a memorial, alongside the Pike 29 Memorial Track, to honour the 29 miners who tragically lost their lives in the Pike River Mine disaster of 2010. paparoagreatwalk.co.nz
This story was originally published in New Zealand Herald Travel on June 4, 2020 and has been updated.
