Top 5 Hikes of New Zealand

Stewart Island hike

The best experiences of New Zealand are not found in a museum, restaurant, or anywhere near a city.  New Zealand is best seen and experienced outdoors.  The best way to get out and see the beauty of New Zealand is by hiking (or "tramping" as Kiwi's call it) the countryside.  I have hiked trails across both the North and South Island, in both the summer and winter.  Here are five hikes that every visitor to New Zealand should experience. 

5. Stewart Island
Stewart Island is located off of the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island.  Stewart Island is rugged, isolated, beautiful----and missed by most tourists to New Zealand.  You will feel like you are at the end of the world on Stewart Island (which is sort of true!).  Hiking tracks on the island range from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks.  If you are really lucky, you might even spot an elusive Kiwi bird on Stewart Island.  

4. Franz Joseph Glacier

The Franz Joseph Glacier is not a typical choice for a list of top hikes.  Unlike every other trail on this list, hiking Franz Joseph requires paying for a guide and special equipment.  However, hiking the glacier is a unique experience that should not be missed.  On Franz Joseph Glacier, one will experience a world of ice caves, glacial pools, and ice falls...all in a slow motion flight down the mountain.  

3. Milford Track

Milford Sound Waterfall

Most people (myself included) experience the Milford Sound the easy way; through a boat cruise.  The best way to see the beauty of the Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park is by hiking the the Milford Track.  The trail is 53.5 km long and winds through mountains, rainforests, and along fiords.  The track may only be walked in one direction, and during peek season only 40 people per day are allowed to start on the trail.  If you plan to hike the Milford Track, be sure to plan ahead and make reservations through the Department of Conservation.  

2. Queen Charlotte Track

Queen Charlotte Track bridge

The Queen Charlotte Track is a 71 km walking and bike trail that hugs the shore of the Marlborough Sound on the northern portion of the South Island.  The trail is open to hikers and bikers of all ages abilities.  Unlike most hikes in New Zealand, there are few steep hills or treacherous terrain to tackle.  You will, however, encounter breathtaking views of forests, rivers, coves, inlets, and beaches.  One can choose to travel the entire 71 km trail over several days or travel only a portion of the trail and take a water taxi back to the trail head.  

1. Tongariro Crossing
The Tongariro Crossing is considered by many to be the best one-day hike in the world.  It is a one day hike through the mountains, lakes, and volcanoes of the central portion North Island.  Fans of the Lord of the Rings films will recognize several locations on the hike that are featured prominently in the film.  Weather and volcano eruptions can and will close the trail at any time of the year.  Rough weather closed the Tongariro Crossing for over a week both times I visited, preventing me from being able to take the hike.  Not being able to hike the Tongariro Crossing remains the single biggest travel regret of my life!