Best places to hike in New Zealand

New Zealand has some spectacular hiking tracks and wilderness areas to visit, it’s a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. So what are the best trails and locations for people to visit in New Zealand?

A great place to start is in the national parks around the region. New Zealand has plenty in the way of national parks on offer for locals and tourists alike to enjoy many of them include great hiking paths but there are a few tracks that stand out.

One of the most famous tracks to visit is The Milford Track in Fiordland. The track takes four days and three nights to walk and will take hikers through forest areas, mountains and steep fiords – the route is in demand so people must book to walk it. Another three day trek, the Routeburn Track takes people through beautiful forested areas and past a number of waterfalls.

The Kepler Track also begins and ends in the Fiordland national park and takes four days for hikers to trek it. Bird enthusiasts will love the Rakiura Track on the country’s least populated island, Stweart Island. The Heaphy Track on South Island is ideal for beginners or those who require less demanding inclines and takes people along beautiful beaches and through forests and alpine fields.

The Abel Tasman Coastal track is also great for those who prefer light walking, the Paparoa track on the other hand is not for the faint of heart and will take hikers along the rugged Paparoa Range. Other notable mentions include the Tongariro Northern circuit which takes three to four days to complete and was featured on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, the Lake Waikaremoana track which takes four to five days and the stunning Whanganui journey.