From mystic waterfalls to fern-ridden forests, New Zealand is without a doubt one of the world’s most popular hiking destinations. Lovingly referred to as the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand attracts up to 3.8 million global visitors a year that have their sights set on a magical land that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. If hiking is your passion, you’re in luck because today we have a look at 5 of New Zealand’s best hiking destinations, so pack your bags and read on to find out more.
Rob Roy Glacier Track
The Rob Roy Glacier Track in Wanaka is a scenic track that leads hikers into Mount Aspiring National Park. Get ready to put your hiking boots on because this hike is incredibly popular and one of the most rewarding day hikes you’ll find in New Zealand, with beautiful mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes dotting the area and just waiting to be explored. Start your adventure in the dramatic West Matukituki Valley and makee your way over the stunning turquoise waters of the Matukituki River. At the end of the track, you’ll follow the Rob Roy Stream through waterfalls, beech forest and a world of various ferns and mosses. Transport services from Wanaka to the car park are available for your convenience, and the entire track will take you between 4-5 hours to complete.
Pororari River Track
Found within New Zealand’s smallest national park, the Pororari River Track features a “jurassic” forest that is jam packed with some of the lushest and most vibrant greenery you’ll ever encounter. This hike also happens to be one of the easiest in the country, the entire 7.3km is incredibly gentle and the perfect adventure for anyone who is new to hiking. With its Jurassic Park-like vegetation, this is definitely a hike that will also keep children entertained and on the lookout for potential dinosaurs around the corner!
Mueller Hut Route
This popular route is a favorite of both New Zealand locals and tourists. The Mueller Hut Route is situated within the Mount Cook National Park and the quickest way to get from Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park is to catch a bus which costs roughly around $30-$40 dollars and takes 5 hours in total travel time. Once you have arrived, your hike will begin at the White Horse Hill car park and will venture into Sealy Tarns and you’ll eventually complete your journey at the Mueller Glacier. Be sure to keep your snacks safe on your trip because you never know when a sneaky New Zealand falcon will swoop in for a snack! Although this route takes 7-9 hours to complete and is considered one of the most challenging, the scenic views are absolutely more than worth it.
Bream Head Track
The Bream Head Track is perfect for beach lovers as it offers one of the North Island’s most impressive coastal trails. This trail offers some truly stunning views of the coastline and is home to some of the most pristine native forests in the country. This coastal forest is home to a wide variety of native birds including wood pigeons, North Island robins and of course, the iconic Kiwi. Be sure to note that this is a one way trail, so you will need to arrange for transportation at the end of your hike. Alternatively, create a loop by exiting down the Peach Cove Track and walking along the road back to Ocean Beach. The entire hike takes around 5-6 hours and spans over 7.5km, so be sure to pack some lunch and/or snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day.
Lake Rotoiti Circuit
The Lake Rotoiti Circuit is a bit of a local secret that tourists and crowds have yet to discover, so we just had to add it to our list. Situated in the Nelson Lakes Park, Lake Rotoiti is a hike that offers no shortage of ferns, mosses and beech trees. Expect to also see lots of birdlife, including the glorious singing of the Bellbird. Lake Rotoiti is also home to New Zealand longfin eels that can grow up to 24kg in weight, making them some of the biggest eels on planet earth! However, this hike is not for the fainthearted — it takes up to 10 hours to complete and spans over a vast 23km if you utilise river crossings or 32km when utilising a swingbridge. We recommend that only experienced hikers who are physically fit give this one a go, and remember to pack lightly to make the trek a little easier on your body.
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And there you have it — 5 of our favourite hiking destinations in middle earth. To be completely honest, picking just 5 trails was an incredibly difficult task considering there are a whopping 724 hikes situated all over New Zealand! Which one is your favourite? Comment and let us know!