The 2020 Great Walks season is officially open! From June 9, the Department of Conservation has started opening bookings for the 10 Great Walks.
From spectacular alpine crossings to sweeping coastal tracks, the Great Walks boast the best of New Zealand’s beautiful outdoors.
Varying in distance and difficulty, the Great Walks are designed for a range of abilities. Take a look at our top 5 picks.
Milford Track
Arguably the flagship of New Zealand’s nine “Great Walks”, the Milford Track is bucket-list material.
However, unlike walks such as The Queen Charlotte or the Abel Tasman where you can pick and choose segments and fetch a ride back, once you’re in, you’re in.
The route starts at Lake Te Anau and hands you a glorious prize at the finish line 53 kilometres later: Milford Sound.
Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track, another of The Great Walks, boasts forests, alpine flora, lakes, waterfalls and countless panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
The three-day trek will see you cover 39 kilometres of well-maintained track through some of the South Island’s most stunning and breathtaking scenery.
Lake Waikaremoana
Hugging the East Coast’s vast Lake Waikaremoana, this 46 km track takes you into the homeland of the Tūhoe people.
From lush forests to expansive open views, this 3-4 day Great Walk track let’s you explore ancient mountains, lakes, valleys and peaks.
Whanganui Journey
Trade your hiking poles for paddles in this unique 3-5 day river journey. Winding down the Whanganui river, this Great Walk is quite different from the rest in that most of it is done via kayak or canoe.
Stop at huts along the way, while paddling down the river, taking in the beauty of Whanganui’s bush-clad valleys and visit the famous Bridge to Nowhere.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Long, sandy beaches, turquoise waters and diverse marine wildlife, the Abel Tasman Coast Track showcases the best of the sunny Nelson region. With lots of huts and campsites to choose from, this is one of the easier Great Walks and can be done in 3 to 5 days.
A one-way 60km track, you can finish up your journey with a boat ride back to the start, taking you through the Tonga Island marine reserve (you might even get a chance to see baby seals).
