New Zealand is rightly a bucket list location for a great many people, and for a wide variety of reasons. The island country presents stunning landscapes and progressive culture in tandem, providing both a place to get away from it all and a place to get right in the middle of things. Its landscapes also famously provided a backdrop to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, making the islands a pilgrimage point for many fans of the stories.
But there is a trick to experiencing New Zealand properly, and it’s not by driving from city to city. There are thousands of square miles to explore, and hundreds of beautiful routes to follow that take you over mountains and through fiords.
Walking holidays are undeniably profound experiences, putting you in touch with nature, culture and history in a uniquely direct way. The walking holidays in New Zealand are no different – but which walks are those truly deserving of addition to your bucket list?
Milford Track
Milford Track is a 31-mile trek nestled in Fiordland National Park, which itself sits in the Southland region of Te Waipounamu. The national park is typified by the ‘fiords’, or glacial valleys, that sculpt its landscape; there are 14 fiords, each of which offer their own breath-taking perspectives on an edifying landscape.
Milford Track is a linear route, which follows the Clinton river from the northern tip of Lake Te Anau around to Milford sound, a glacial estuary that opens out to the ocean. The route is one of New Zealand’s more popular walking routes, and for good reason. This is a simply unmissable hike.
Abel Tasman Coast Track
The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest, found in the Nelson region and named for the Dutch explorer who was the first European to arrive in New Zealand. The national park can be found on the northern tip of Te Waipounamu, and its coastline is perfect for a bucket list hike.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is nearly 40 miles, taking in the best of the Nelson coastline over around 4 days of walking and hiking. The route passes a number of bays and coves set into the coast, giving you myriad opportunities to bask in the pacific glow of New Zealand’s seaside.
Tongariro Northern Circuit
The Tongariro Northern Circuit is a circular hiking route ensconced in the centre of Te Ika-a-Maui, taking hikers around the imposing volcanic Mount Ngauruhoe. The walk is relatively short in comparison to others, allowing walkers to complete it in a day or less – but the walk is no less impressive for the views it presents.
The views are peerless, with snow-tipped volcanoes Tongariro and Ruapehu both visible from the circuit – as well as the majesty of the entire island.
