best day hikes south island

I haven’t visited this part of the world yet, but these hikes all look incredible! Each time I go hiking I feel such a rush, such a sense of completion, I am addicted to the feeling of conquering mountains and Does “return” mean you are going out and back on the same trail? Found inside – Page 17At the south end of the island, you can view the split the island forms in the river; soon rocky shoals appear as you walk north on the island's east side. ridgeline until you reach Gables End. valleys and canyons to the North. The summit offers unique views of the Remarkables Mountain Range to the south east, Walter and Cecil Peak across Lake Wakatipu in the south. From the South you have a spectacular view over Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains. From here it’s another hour and a bit to the Routeburn Track – With spectacular alpine views, the Routeburn Track is another popular South Island hiking trail. Roys Peak offers such stunning views as well! The South Island has a variety of walks both short and long for both day hikers and rugged adventurers. Travelling has always been her passion and she has now made it her full-time job and worked in the industry for the last five years. Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. Then after reaching the gondola the incline becomes a lot less straining until you reach the Ben Lomond Saddle. The views This is best done on a clear day, otherwise you won’t see any of the view at the top (which happened to me). Don’t miss the historic KEA Hut. I’ve just added The Kepler Track. Abel Tasman Coast Track. The no pain no gain rule really applies here. This guide also covers all trails in Crater Lake National Park. Complete with maps, elevation profiles, and clear, informative hike narratives, this book is bound to be the standard against which all other guides for the area are judged. On your way, you’ll see a series of several spectacular waterfalls cascading down the green rocky cliffs. Distance: 10km return, 3 hours return Difficulty: Easy. Along with DOC, and after five years of tramping (kiwi for hiking) here are five of the best day hikes in New Zealand, all unique and worth checking out on a trip to this corner of the world. Day 5 Hike Truman’s Track, visit Hokitika and explore Lake Mahinapua. For the first kilometre there’s some bush, but it’s not long until you get the first views of Lake Hawea. Question for you about timing and distance. The route will take you away from the throngs of tourists at Milford adventure with photography began. Mentioned as one of the top one-day hikes in the world, the Tongariro Crossing hike is definitely in my top three of best hikes in New Zealand. If you hike this in a clockwise direction you’ll get glorious views of Lake Rotoiti on the way up and head down in the cool of the woodlands. Experience some of the best hiking in New Zealand. Be warned though, it is 100% exposed so take sun screen, wind proof clothes and plenty of water and although the views along the way are definitely worth writing home about, the It boasts impressive mountain peaks, picturesque waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and diverse forests. The Routeburn Track. The Ben Lomond trail is another popular South Island trail and one of the best day walks near Queenstown. Hooker Valley Track is perhaps the most popular and easy hike in South Island. and great for families with older kids. hut for more info. Cooks Beach walks and hiking. This day walk takes around 2 hours to complete and along the way you can visit two amazing waterfalls. Apple Tree is one of the best. Found insidePlan Your Trip Hiking on the South Island Hiking (aka bushwalking, ... Kahurangi National Park Top Day Hikes Mt Robert Circuit, Nelson Lakes National Park ... How to Travel the World on $50 a Day reveals Nomadic Matt’s tips, tricks, and secrets to comfortable budget travel based on his experience traveling the world without giving up the sushi meals and comfortable beds he enjoys. The mirador at the top looks directly east over Lake Wanaka and Just The trial involves a 2-hour climb through the forest before you reach the stunning Lake Marian with the Southern Alps as a backdrop. loads of Kea, an alpine parrot, there too. Heaphy Track – It takes 4-6 days to walk the 78.4km Heaphy Track, but you can also mountain bike it in 2 – 3 days from May until November. Oooh brings back heaps of memories from when I lived in Queenstown! Tasman Glacier and Meuller Hut are both popular. The Lake Marian Track is a short 3-hour walk in Fiordland National Park. Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall – A short 1-hour return from Arthur’s Pass, but uphill with lots of stairs. From Arthur’s Pass to Milford Sound, Helen Glenny tells us about her favorites. Related posts: New Zealand offers something for everyone. You can start at the southern end of Sumner Beach (this will tack on an additional 5 km return), but the more popular option is to park at Taylor’s Mistake and begin the walk from the car park there. Day 8 Hike Mt Iron, visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park. It’s sad to see how much the glaciers have receded over the years and how the trails to see them have become longer. In the winter avalanches can happen, please check the avalanche conditions with the DOC before heading out. Video: Experience a 3 day hike in the Nelson Lakes National Park. You’ll traverse the Paparoa Range, along alpine trails and through the rainforest. Sonja is from New Zealand but now lives in Scotland with her husband and little boy, after having lived in 5 other countries along the way including the USA, Australia, Canada, and Spain. Thankfully I was able to find a photo of the lake fog-free, so you can see what it really looks like. Review the 10 Essentials for Hiking & Camping for the basics of what to pack. From the summit the vistas are expansive and rewarding. As soon as we booked our tickets, I started doing a TON of research on everything to do on New Zealand's south island. The hikes in New Zealand are generally easy to follow but can become dangerous if you don’t act appropriately. Includes a few new hikes since the first edition and updates on trail segments that have changed. This half day hike starts at the Hooker Valley car park and takes you through a sacred Topuni part of Hooker Valley. Found inside – Page 36They also lead four- to five-day treks down the isolated West Coast under cliffs full of huge fossils. From NZSSS. South Island. BIRD. Mount Alfred. The hike a manageable loop walk and is suitable for kids or anyone with a moderate fitness level. The Godley Head walk on the outskirts of Christchurch is a fantastic half day trek that takes in incredible beaches, WW2 remnants and natural caves. Distance: 1.5-2.5 hours depending on chosen route Difficulty: Easy (although uphill). The hike itself up Roys Peak is uneventful – switchback after switchback, surrounding by farmland. hut. Location: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury, South Island. The track is often rocky underfoot and due to recent slips you need to climb over and under several trees but this just adds to the fun, in my humble opinion. Queenstown to Fox is a long drive, over 5 hours, and even longer if you stop to eat, sightsee or enjoy any of the wonderful short walks along the Haast Pass. Worth it, but the cold definitely made it harder. google them and you’ll be surprised. This trail actually starts in the heart of Queenstown and ends at the summit of Ben Lomond Mountain. These spectacular mountain landscapes can be explored on the three Great Walks and other multi-day hikes. Your email address will not be published. Once at the top you have possibly the best views of Mount Cook National Park. To experience true wilderness you need to hit the trail and get away from it all – so here are some of the best multi-day hikes on the planet. Even if you’re not into long and challenging multi-days hikes, there’s plenty of short walks to full day hikes, that will always feed you with breathtaking views! The owner of the land has recently prohibited access to the general public Perhaps the best hike in New Zealand South island for its incredible views! I think I was probably carrying 8-10 kgs (with Gia probably carrying 5kg) and it was manageable. The well maintained trail and minimal elevation gain make this hike suitable for all levels of fitness and children. The more I looked into all of the incredible hikes, mountains, lakes, and scenic spots, the harder it was to just pick a handful and plan a … I can only imagine what those people who climb Mount Everest, K2 or Annapurna feel like after reaching the top. Challenging New Zealand Day Hikes 9. Distance: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Intermediate (steep and 2200 steps). Once you reach the Tasman Lake edge you can stare out at the Tasman Glacier and enjoy the picturesque view. The highlight of my visit was a trek in Marlborough , It’s a beautiful place! The trek will take you three hours return and is seven kilometres long, making it a moderate difficulty hike. Required fields are marked *. There is a good section of boardwalk (beware it can be icy at times) before a steep scramble to the summit. A list of the 14 best hikes on the South Island of New Zealand. Five Best Day Hikes on the South Island, From Shortest To Longest Hooker Valley Track, Mt. Te Whara Track in Northland (Whangarei) ... 10 of the most iconic backcountry huts on the South Island. The round trip to the viewpoint only takes 20 minutes to complete, although the Department of Conservation recommends around 40 minutes, and it is very flat. ), roaming farm animals and landmarks on the way. If you’re feeling adventurous you can actually continue on to hike to the Mueller Hut which is another 2-hour climb. This is the furthest south day hike in the South Island! The Department of Conservation describes … Best undertaken from late October to the end of April, this track will take you 4 days to complete. This area is just so incredible for hiking! However, instead of a path, it involves stairs – 2000 of them! When I make it to New Zealand, I’ll definitely be doing one of these hikes. Find out why Cooks Beach is one of the best places to walk & explore. Found insideA large map shows every location covered in the book, and each entry has a locator map depicting the city and country. Both entertaining and informative, this book is an invaluable resource and inspiration for a lifetime of travel. 5. This is, without a doubt, one of the best day hikes I’ve done in New Zealand and believe me I’ve done A LOT! Sounds like I’m just making up names doesn’t it? Avalanche Peak. What’s so special about this trail is that at the above the glacier at the end of the lake you’ll be able to see Mount Cook (New Zealand’s tallest mountain.). Stewart Island’s North-West Circuit and Rakiura Track are a great way to explore New Zealand’s third island, especially if you want to spot a Kiwi in the wild. At the northern end of the South Island, the Abel Tasman Coastal Track and Travers-Sabine are highlights. Spanning five national parks and popular towns like Wanaka, Queenstown and Christchurch, any of these hikes could easily fit into a South Island itinerary. The stunning panoramic views along the entire length of the track delight and entertain hikers the whole way. Summer – This is easily the best time to go hiking in the park. From there you’ll have panoramic views over Fiordland National Park. Devils Punchbowl – Arthurs Pass – the first of our Best Day Hikes in the South Island of NZ; Hokitika Gorge – Hokitika/West Coast; Lake Matheson – Fox Township; Blue Pools – Makarora; Tasman Glacier – Aoraki/Mt Cook. Apart from a few climbs, it’s fairly level around the headland. Your boots might give you a few blisters, you will get hungry, thirsty and tired, but once you finish the hike and look at all those awesome photos you will know why it was worth the Following the hike, you can rest your feet in the relaxing and therapeutic Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools to top off the amazing experience. I went to New Zealand on my first gap year and it is somewhere I really want to go back to. I haven’t made it to New Zealand yet, but this is an amazing lineup for whenever I make it there. This short walk is only a 45-minute return, which makes it great for the young ones. This is the ultimate hike from Queenstown, where I lived and worked for 4 months during New Zealand's summer. All you need is a pair of sturdy hiking boots, a full water bottle, and perhaps a copy of Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand to keep you oriented along the way. And so much to explore . I wandered the South Island for three months. Mount Robert Circuit, Nelson Lakes National Park – This 4-hour loop track is one of the most popular day walks in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Just make sure you come prepared! The South Island’s best one day hikes The South Island’s best one day hikes . The trail is 60km and takes 3-4 days. If you're craving more adventure then try to get up there just before sunrise. Your journey ends with the most epic of photo opportunities: a glistening glacial lake … One of the most spectacular day hikes in the South Island is the stunning but gruelling hike up to Mueller Hut high above the Hooker Valley in Mount Cook National Park. Found inside – Page 118The island has numerous unmarked trails that wander across and around it. ... Start at the Information sign beyond the barricade south of the parking area. The trail takes you through beech and podocarp forest, and over the bright blue water of the Makarora River via a swing bridge. From harder trails that involve a little courage to easier ones and short walks suited to all fitness levels, there’s a South Island day walk for almost everyone. Little Mt Peel is a great Canterbury walk, taking around 4 – 6 hours return. I'm Mikaela and I'm the voice behind Voyageur Tripper, a blog dedicated to outdoor adventure travel. The hike takes you northbound along the Hooker River but it honestly doesn't matter if you were looking up stream or down stream, left, right, east or west everything is We are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to the south island for November. Te Waipounamu (the South Island in Māori) has so much to offer! UPDATE: The Mount Alfred summit hike goes across private land. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Wake early and in awe at Luxmore Hut atop a fairy-tale blanket of white clouds hovering over an invisible, mountain-ringed Lake Te … South Island Itinerary Ideas for 1-4 Weeks, North Island Itinerary Ideas for 1-4 Weeks, 23 Epic Destinations for a Honeymoon in New Zealand, 8 Top Tips for Planning a New Zealand Trip, Click for more info - Disclaimer & Privacy Policy. Aotea Track, Great Barrier Island, November 2015 One of the best / few multi-day walks relatively close to Auckland, with Mt Heale Hut offering views of Little Barrier Island, and Mt Hobson 360 degree views over the whole of the Barrier. For those of you who plan on visiting the South Island I have designed a complete New Zealand Travel Queenstown Hill is another trail that begins almost right in the centre Queenstown so makes a popular day walk from Queenstown. It started with just me and a backpack but now I have my husband and baby in tow… there’s a lot more luggage! Hopefully it helps you plan a route. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician. This is a through-hike that can be started from either Glenorchy or the Divide in the Fjordland National Park. Although this area of the South Island’s West Coast is known best for the iconic Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, there is an array of other short walks and day hikes worth a mention. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Visiting the glaciers on a short day walk in the South Island might not be something we can do in years to come! The trail starts just outside the town of Punakaiki – a popular tourist destination. You can't come to New Zealand and not be willing to discover the sheer vastness that it has to offer so make sure you pack your walking legs. There are several viewpoints along the way including great views of the Diamond Lake just at the start of the hike. The Te Araroa trail will appeal if you want to string a whole heap of day-hikes together for one mega-adventure. 1. When I am not stuck to my computer editing photos, you can find me somewhere in the mountains. For those of you not looking for such a big challenge, the route can be shortened by taking the Queenstown Gondola up the first section. It is an easy hike with a gentle elevation... 3. Great alternative for those who don't have few hundred dollars to The two and a half hour return journey to the Hooker Lake is mind bogglingly beautiful. Hi! Distance: 16km return, 5-6 hours return Difficulty: Intermediate (steep track). trip itinerary on New Zealand's South Island. When I did Lake Marian, the trail itself was actually more beautiful than the lake because we encountered the thickest fog at the top and couldn’t even see the lake. I recently came across this fantastic video from NZ Mountain Safety Council with footage from Gertrude Saddle showcasing the difficulty of the trail. If hiking for sunrise, bring a headlamp. For those looking for more of a challenge (think uphill trudging and 6-8 hour day hikes) then you can consider Mount Fyffe near Kaikoura, Alex Knob which has fantastic views over Franz Josef Glacier, and Mueller Hutt in Mount Cook National Park, which can be split over two days with a stay in the backcountry hut. This is a demanding tramp that requires light scrambling over large boulders whilst navigating along a well maintained path through the forest. It’s the most popular season as well, so hiking trails may be more crowded than at other times of the year. The walk itself, which stays for the majority of the time on the eastern side of the We’ve picked out the 5 best day hikes in the South Island of New Zealand, with varying degrees of challenge. The path which leads mostly through private farmland has a nice balance between exposed and unexposed parts. While there are tons of multi-day hikes, in this post I’ll focus on the best day hiking in South Island, New Zealand. Best Easy Day Hikes Acadia National Park includes concise descriptions and detailed maps for easy-to-follow hikes in an area of Maine that has long captivated artists, millionaires, generations of families, and even presidents. Just go to my other article about hiking and staying in the Mueller Arthur’s Pass is the highest of the mountain passes in the South Island, reaching more than 900 metres. New Zealand hiking is some of the best in the world, and this is especially true when you step foot on the South Island. 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