It’s well known the country has some incredible tracks traversing large parts of the country, but now, one of them has been rated among the world’s best.
Popular hiking app Alltrails has named the South Island’s Hump Ridge Track in one of the World’s 25 Trails To Explore In 2025.
Hump Ridge Track is a 60km, 3-day loop over sub-alpine tops and around rugged coastline in southern Fiordland. It is New Zealand’s newest of the country’s 11 Great Walks, opening in October 2024.
The selection from one of the world’s biggest hiking platforms, that boasts 65 million global users, mentioned Hump Ridge Track’s varied landscape, taking hikers through sandy beaches, native forests, and lush alpine with soaring limestone rock formations.
Read more: Five of Our Favourite Great Walks and Great Walks You Can Experience In a Day
Sourced from more than 450,000 trails listed on the hiking platform, there was plenty of choice, but Alltrails says the stunning Hump Ridge Track is one of New Zealand’s best maintained and marked trails.
“What makes this trail special is that it was created by the people, for the people,” states Alltrails. “In the mid-1980s, a ban on native logging caused the loss of New Zealand Forestry services in Tuatapere. To create jobs and boost the local economy, the idea for a hiking trail—also known as a tramping track—was born. Over seven years, locals dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to bring the trail to life.
“The trail offers huts for overnight stays, with options for upgrades, such as private rooms. As one AllTrails hiker shared, “Glenys at Okaka gives one of the best Hut talks ever. Do the private room upgrade, bougie AF and well worth it.”
The Kiwi trail was number 5 on the platform’s list, which also includes enjoying the Nachi Falls hike in Japan, toad spotting in Canada, thrill-seeking in Arkansas and experiencing the midnight sun in Norway.
“We looked beyond popularity to share places and occasions that are truly special this year,” explained Ron Schneidermann, Chief Executive Officer at AllTrails of this year’s list. “The magic of discovery is what fuels my love of the outdoors, and I hope this list inspires people to find their own sense of wonder on the trail.”
AllTrails helps hikers find and plan trails, find ideas for new destinations and download GPX tracks. A GPX (GPS Exchange Format) file is an electronic format for sharing cycling or walking routes, which you can view and follow on a phone or bike-mounted GPS.
25 Trails to Explore in 2025:
The list chosen by Alltrails
Peace Trail, Segment 28: Contrin Refuge – Fedaia Pass (Trento, Italy)
Cerro Pelón (State of Mexico, Mexico)
Boston’s Freedom Trail (Massachusetts, United States of America)
Alice-Toxaway and Edith Lake Loop (Idaho, United States of America)
Hump Ridge Track (Southland, New Zealand)
Slaughter Pen: All American, Seed Tick, Medusa, and Tatamagouche (Arkansas, United States of America)
Nachi Falls – Kumano Nachi Taisha – Daimonzaka (Nachikatsuura, Japan)
Smarts Mountain via Appalachian and Ranger Trail (New Hampshire, United States of America)
Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval – Pas du Boret – Le Bout du Monde (Haute-Savoie, France)
Firefly Trail (South Carolina, United States of America)
Lost Mine Trail (Texas, United States of America)
Hoh River Trail to Mineral Creek Falls (Washington, United States of America)
Coast to Coast Walk Segment 1: St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge (Cumbria, England)
Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop (South Dakota, United States of America)
Katy Trail (Missouri, United States of America)
Las Médulas – Pico de los Gallegos (Léon, Spain)
Blind Ash Bay Trail (Minnesota, United States of America)
Path of the Planets: Tignousa – Hotel Weisshorn (Saint Luc, Switzerland)
Amsterdam City Walk (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Chilkoot Pass Trail (Alaska, United States of America)
Seven Cascades Short Loop (Plaines Wilhems, Mauritius)
Methuselah Trail (California, United States of America)
Four Lakes Trail (British Columbia, Canada)
Camino de Costa Rica Segment 5: Tres Equis – Pacayitas (Cartago, Costa Rica)
Reinebringen (Nordland, Norway)
