Hiking

Tramping, also known in other English speaking countries as hiking, trekking or bushwalking is a year round activity in New Zealand. Geographically isolated from the rest of the world for many millions of years New Zealand has been gifted with spectacularly beautiful wilderness area’s with deep, lush rainforest; long deserted beaches; endless grassy plains; fiords that rate right up there with Norway and our alpine region that has more mountains over 10,000 feet than ALL of Europe.

This is an extraordinary land; a land so special that 30% of it is protected in National Parks. Recreational access to our lakes, beaches, rivers, and mountains is an important part of what it is to be a New Zealander. One third of our landmass is allocated to National Parks and reserves with 18,000 kilometres of coastline, 14 National Parks making up more than 5 million hectares being protected by our Department of Conversation (DOC). This department protects our native and endangered species, maintains our walkways, making our environment a great place where we all visit and enjoy.

The comprehensive system of tracks in our Forest Parks is based on three general categories. ‘Short walks’ suitable for those who can stop briefly and stroll to a significant viewpoint. ‘Walking tracks’ rough blazed trails up to three hours long. ‘Full day’ and ‘multi-day walks’ are on what New Zealanders term tramping/hiking tracks, leading deep into wilderness areas.

In terms of accessible wilderness areas, New Zealand for its size is one of the most richly endowed countries on the planet.

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

Sir Edmund Hillary (1919 – 2008) New Zealand mountaineer – the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest

The Great Walks of New Zealand

Other Recommended Walks