After spending 3 months travelling New Zealand, these were the top 8 hikes I did. For this post, I have classified a hike as a substantial walk over 8 kilometres long, which involves some elevation gain. I will do a separate post for my favourite shorter walks too in due course.
For each walk I have summarised the distance*, duration, difficulty and elevation. I ranked the difficulty out of 10 from my experience of doing the walk. I would say I am of average fitness, and had done very little hiking before coming to New Zealand. Obviously everyone’s experience will be different, this is just what I thought of each of them.
*A lot of the distance and elevation data is from my Apple Watch, so I can’t guarantee it is completely accurate. However it generally is similar to information I got from signage and the DOC website.
Roy’s Peak, Wanaka:
Distance: 16km
Duration: 6 hours 15 minutes
Difficulty: 9/10
Elevation: 1,250m
One of the most famous hikes in New Zealand, Roy’s Peak absolutely can’t be missed. The views from the summit are stunning, but if you don’t want to walk right to the top, then there is the option to just walk to the lookout instead, which is a 13km return.
The reason this hike is so difficult is because it has such a high amount of elevation gain. However, I found if you go slowly and take lots of breaks it is very manageable. There are some flat sections also which gives you a break from the steep terrain too.
I would recommend doing this hike at either sunrise or sunset. I started at 2:45am in February when I walked it, and got to the summit at 6am, half an hour before sunrise. This was amazing as I did the ascent in the dark so couldn’t see how much further (and how steep) the rest of the hike was! The views from the summit while the sun is rising is just breathtaking.
I returned to the car park at 9am, having walked 25,000 steps! I honestly cannot recommend this walk enough, if you are looking for a complete guide to all you need to know, Click Here.
Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki/Mount Cook:
Distance: 10.7km
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: 4/10
Elevation: 220m
Aoraki/Mount Cook is one of my favourite places in New Zealand; the drive there is ridiculously beautiful, and there are some stunning walks on and around the mountain. The Hooker Valley Track is one of the most famous in this area, due to it being comparatively short and easier than others, like the famous Sealy Tarns track. It ends at Hooker Lake with unbelievable views of the snowy mountain behind it.
The walk starts at the White Horse Hill campground and is accessible along a well-formed gravel path and boardwalk. The majority of it is fairly flat, with some incline towards the end. It is beautiful any time of day but the path does get very busy, so going early in the day would make for a more peaceful experience.
Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway:
Distance: 11.3km
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: 4/10
Elevation: 150m
This walk is easy to follow and has some stunning views. The first 4km are along the beach with spectacular views across the bay. The wildlife is what makes it one of my top hikes in New Zealand. I was lucky enough to spot a large pod of bottlenose dolphins off shore within 15 minutes of starting this walk.
As you round the headland, the walk takes you by the seal colony, so take a while to stop and admire them. After walking along the beach for a few kilometres, take the steps up the cliff to get to the headland and follow the footpath along it. Once you’ve walked round the headland you can walk back across using the South Bay footpath. There are great views of the town and bay from the top of the hill as you descend towards your car.
Looking for other incredible things to do in Kaikōura? Click here.
Robert Point Track, Franz Josef:
Distance: 11km
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: 8/10
Elevation: 650m
Franz Josef is a small town located on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It is known for being home to the 12km long Franz Josef Glacier, one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers. The walk begins in the Franz Josef car park, which is a 10 minute drive outside of Franz Josef township.
This is a challenging hike but the views at the end make it so worth it. The hike begins along an easy gravel track, passing through the stunning Peter’s Pools.
At the beginning of the third kilometre, you reach one of the most famous parts of this walk: the 100m long Roberts Point swing bridge. After this is when the hike starts getting a lot steeper, with slippery rocky sections as well.
Hendes Gallery is a set of suspended steps on the side of the cliff which form a unique part of the track. The last part of the walk is very steep and slippery, and took me quite some time. The lookout at the end makes it all worth it, with stunning views of the Franz Josef glacier making it one of the best hikes in New Zealand.
Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough Sounds:
Distance: 13.6km
Duration: 3 hours 10 minutes
Difficulty: 5/10
Elevation: 300m
I walked this comparatively short part of the 73.5km long Queen Charlotte Track. I started at Anakiwa Beach and walked to Grove Arm Viewpoint and returned along the same path. This was a stunning walk along an easy-to-follow gravel track.
The walk follows the coast the entire way and there are tonnes of great swimming spots to cool off in. From the lookout at the end there are gorgeous views across Okiwa Bay and beyond. I took a packed lunch and sat here for half an hour to take it all in. If you are heading to Marlborough Sounds at some point I would definitely recommend taking the time to do this one!
Russel, Northland:
Distance: 8km
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: 6/10
Elevation: 200m
Russel is located a 15 minute ferry ride away from Paihia in the North Island. This walk was one of the highlights from my time exploring Northland.
When I arrived in Russel, I walked straight from the ferry port to Tapeka Point. The walk is mostly along the coast and has stunning views of the surrounding beaches. The headland at the end has great views across the sea and I spent a while watching the boats coming past.
The walk starts with an easy wander through the town, then there’s a short incline up to Flagstaff Hill. It continues slightly uphill until the beginning of the Tapeka Trailhead which is followed until you reach Tapeka Point.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing:
Distance: 20km
Duration: 6 hours
Difficulty: 9/10
Elevation: 900m
No post about the best hikes in New Zealand would be complete without the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It is famously renowned as the country’s best day hike, and after my experience I believe it lives up to its name. It is located in the Tongariro National Park, about a 1 hours drive from Taupō in the North Island.
The route begins with a gentle 4 km stretch before the infamously steep ‘Devil’s Staircase’. The track then briefly eases, before another steep push leads to the summit of the Red Crater. From there, the trail descends to the stunning Emerald Lakes. A final short climb brings you to the Blue Lake, followed by an easy, flat 10 km section that takes you to the finish.
It is worth setting aside two days for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, since the DoC may cancel the hike if the weather turns particularly bad. This hike is certainly not easy, but as long as you pack appropriately and wear good shoes and clothing, I truly believe most people can comfortably complete this hike. Regardless of hiking experience, if you take it slow and take breaks, the hike is very manageable.
For my full thoughts on this hike, a packing list, what to know before you go, and a complete walk breakdown, check out my Essential Hike Guide.
Mount Robert Circuit, Nelson Lakes National Park:
Distance: 9.5km
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
Difficulty: 7/10
Elevation: 620m
This was the first proper hike I did in New Zealand, and I saw it as a ‘test’ to see whether I’d be able to manage Roy’s Peak! Thankfully I really enjoyed it, and I think it was a great middle-ground to assess my hiking ability.
The walk takes you from the Pinchgut Track car park in a long loop, finishing at the same place. This was one of my favourite things about this hike as I much prefer a loop compared to a there-and-back.
The walk begins on the Pinchgut Track which zigzags up the steep side of Mount Robert, before entering beech forest. After climbing for about one and a half hours, you reach the bush edge, where the forest gives way to alpine herbs and shrubs. The views over Lake Rotoiti are absolutely stunning, with more of the lake becoming visible the higher you climb. This is then the hardest section of the track complete, with it getting a lot easier from here on.
From here the track continues across the open ridge top and reaches Relax Shelter. After this, Paddy’s Track begins and heads east to Bushline Hut, a great place to stop for lunch, and you are able to stay overnight here too. The end of the walk is completed by heading down to Mt Robert Road on Paddy’s Track, and walking 500 m along the road back to the car park.
Thank you so much for reading this blog! I hope it has helped you to plan your hikes into your New Zealand itinerary.
Please like this post, and comment if you have any questions at all.
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