New Zealand
Looking for the best hiking in New Zealand? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Zealand. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near New Zealand
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Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Hike to Mount Aicken Summit
5.03 mi / 3608.9 ft gainThe trail starts at the carpark to the famous Devils Punchbowl Falls and heads up towards the falls themselves before taking a turn up and to the right. You'll pass through the forest before the trees lower in height and you'll have amazing views across to the south over to Mount Rolleston and Av...Read more -
Castle Hill, New Zealand
Climb Mt. Cloudsley
5.08.7 mi / 3937 ft gainPark at the Hogsback Trailhead in Castle Hill Village. Follow the Hogsback trail by staying to the right at both upcoming "Y" intersections. Once you reach the bush edge, Long Spur and Mt Cloudsley come into view. Break off from the trail aiming for the toe of Long Spur. Then climb along the cres...Read more -
Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
Hike to Rocky Mountain
4 mi / 1476.4 ft gainThis is an awesome hike with views similar to Roy Peak but more varied terrain (and less of a climb as the mountain only hits 775m. The drive is only ~10 minutes outside Wanaka. From the Diamond Lake trailhead, follow the track from the end of the car park towards Diamond Lake. From the Lake, fol...Read more -
Paparoa National Park, New Zealand
Walk the Truman Track in Paparoa National Park
1 mi / 15 ft gainJust a couple miles north of the Punakaiki Beach Camp in Paparoa National Park along the West Coast of New Zealand is this very short yet very rewarding walk. Parking is just feet south of the Te Nikau Retreat access road and right across the well marked and maintained Truman Track trail head on ...Read more -
Treble Cone, New Zealand
Hike to the Summit of Treble Cone
4 mi / 2296.6 ft gainIf you're in Wanaka, you cannot miss this hike. If the ski area is closed for the season you can still hike there but please check in with the Treble Cone Office in Wanaka. Begin at the ski field parking area and climb among snow slops and service roads, alternatively ascend the ridge on the far ...Read more -
Springfield, New Zealand
Hike to Foggy Peak Summit
5.02 mi / 3280.8 ft gainThe Foggy Peak trail is an unmarked path leading from the carpark at the top of Porters Pass to the summit of Foggy Peak. The clouds can get very low here so be sure to bring a GPS or be knowledgeable in the mountains. From the carpark just duck under the fence and head on up to the top. The way ...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Backpack to Carrington Hut
11 mi / 350 ft gainWith peaks rising thousands of meters on every side of you and a wide-open valley to tramp in, the hike to Carrington Hut does feel quite like you're walking in a movie set. After walking a day up the Waimakariri Valley you'll reach this 36-bunk DOC hut, which requires a DOC hut pass to stay the ...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Hike to Summit of Mount Bealey
5.05 mi / 3608.9 ft gainThe hike to Mount Bealey starts in the town of Arthurs Pass at 750m above sea level. Take the road back towards Christchurch from the centre of the village and you'll cross a river, take the first right and head up Mount Bealey Road until you see a car park on the right hand side.From here the hi...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Climb Mount B'Limit
6 mi / 4000 ft gainBegin your adventure by hiking up the Temple Basin Ski Field access trail. Continue beyond the Ski huts to the upper basin below Mt Temple and B'Limit. Continue hiking under the rope tows to the saddle where the views will surly take your breath away.Once at the saddle mount the ridge-top to clim...Read more -
Inangahua, New Zealand
Mountain Bike the Old Ghost Road
52.2 mi / 5577.4 ft gainThe Old Ghost Road is an intermediate-advanced backcountry single-track mountain bike trail in New Zealand. It takes 1-4 days to complete, with most people doing the ride in two days. It's in the West Coast region (the upper South Island) and runs from the historic mining settlement of Lyell in t...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Hike the Avalanche Peak - Crow River Valley Traverse
2.3 mi / -2624.7 ft gainThe beginning starts with the popular day hike climb up Avalanche Peak in Arthur’s Pass, NZ. You can view that route on the Outbound here. Scott’s Track up is a bit longer but less steep and with better views so I’d recommend taking that up. Should only take around 2-3 hours, but you’ll want to s...Read more -
Castle Hill, New Zealand
Hike Mt. Cheeseman
9.9 mi / 4265.1 ft gainFollow the Hogsback Track until you reach the clearing just after the Waterfall Creek crossing. Hike through the clearing towards the toe of Mt Cheeseman's east ridge.Work your way up the ridge by linking a network of tussock slopes, ledges, scree slopes snow patches and crumbly rock. Eventually ...Read more -
Hunters Hills, New Zealand
Rappel the Kaumira Canyon
3.7 mi / 984.3 ft gainThe Kaumira Canyon is a deep, narrow gorge in the mid-Canterbury plains. Although not covering a very large distance, the array of technical features will take a while to navigate. We had a large party of nine people, and it took us nearly four hours to complete the canyon. There are two rappels,...Read more -
Rowallan, New Zealand
Backpack the Hump Ridge Track
37.3 mi / 3280.8 ft gainThis loop track is intended to be walked over 3 days (2 nights) and is just over 60km long with nearly 1,000 meters elevation gain. For those of you uber fit people with an appetite for a more intense adventure, it's also possible to tackle the whole thing in a single day, but be prepared for a c...Read more -
Craigieburn Forest Park, New Zealand
Hike to Hamilton Peak's Summit
7.5 mi / 3280.8 ft gainPark at the Craggyburn Valley Trailhead for a longer, more scenic hike, or continue driving to the Ski Field Parking at the road's end.The trail follows the true right bank of Craggieburn Valley as it climbs through a thick and scenic beech forest. After an hour it reaches the bush edge just shor...Read more -
Wanaka, New Zealand
Hike or Bike the Glendhu Bay Track
9.3 miThis walk can also be started from the waterfront in Wanaka, which is only a few km from the track start above. From the car park, follow the track along the lake north. It is quite well marked and follows the coastline offering stunning views of the mountains on both sides of the lake. Dependin...Read more