10 hikes to see New Zealand’s stunning scenery up close

New Zealand is famous for its stunning scenery, and immersing yourself in nature is the best way to experience its remarkable landscapes up close. "Tramping" (that's Kiwi for "hiking") is a popular activity with locals and visitors alike in New Zealand, with hundreds of exceptional trails throughout the country. From the iconic Great Walks to overnight hikes and short walks, there are options for all ages and levels of ability.

Multi-day hikes are the best way to discover remote lakes and waterfalls, or sleep in a picturesque hut on the top of a mountain peak. If you’re looking for something with less gear and effort, opt for a day hike instead – try a shorter section of one of the Great Walks, or choose from one of the many short trails with breathtaking views.

Here are some of our favorite hikes in New Zealand for exploring the country’s coast, volcanoes, mountains and national parks. Some are easy, some are spine-tingling, but all of these hikes are pure NZ magic. Just keep in mind that if you’re doing a Great Walk or overnight hike, you’ll need to book huts or campsites well in advance through the Department of Conservation (DOC).

1. Coast to Coast Walkway, Auckland 

Best walk for public transport
16km, 5 hours, moderate

You can cross from one side of the country to the other on this brilliant introduction to urban Auckland. Beginning with a leisurely wander through the city's suburbs, this half-day hike ends at the popular Viaduct Harbour drinking and dining precinct for a celebratory beverage. Along the way, you’ll pass important sites from Auckland’s Māori and colonial history and climb three small volcanoes.

To begin, catch a train to Onehunga station and take a 10-minute walk west along Princes Street to the Onehunga Bay Reserve. Then cross the footbridge to Taumanu Reserve, the little waterfront park sandwiched between Manukau Harbour and a busy motorway. Signage is sketchy, but in theory there are blue disks pointing towards the city and yellow disks pointing in the opposite direction along this trail. The walkway is also part of the nationwide trail Te Araroa, so you can also look out for those markers as you progress.

About half-way in you'll visit one of Auckland's most beautiful parks at One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie. The 182m-high volcano here was home to the isthmus’s key pā in precolonial times, arguably the greatest fortress in the country. Take in those views. 

2. Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Best one-day walk
20km, 6-8 hours, moderate to difficult (depending on the weather)

Set among volcanic scenery made famous by the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this pathway in Tongariro National Park is often lauded as New Zealand’s finest one-day walk and one of the best in the world. It’s no wonder, with its peculiar moonscape graced with steaming vents and springs, vivid lakes and vast ridges.

The highly weather-dependent 20km walk takes between six and eight hours. Parts of this trek are steep, and at altitude the weather can be very unpredictable, especially in winter. If you want to experience this hike between May and November (potentially in the snow), it's best to sign up for a guided trip.

If you choose to walk this track independently, book your shuttle and walk through DOC's booking system. Finally, the summit of Mt Ngāuruhoe (aka Mt Doom) – which can be accessed via a side track – is considered sacred to the local Māori iwi (tribe), who ask that visitors don't climb it out of respect.

3. Abel Tasman Coast Track

Best for beaches
60km, 3-5 days, intermediate

One of New Zealand’s most popular Great Walks, the Abel Tasman Coast Track follows the coastline of Abel Tasman National Park. The track winds through lush forest and golden beaches. Sections of the trail are popular with day visitors. Many hikers access different sections of the trail by water taxi or kayak, as there are almost no roads in the national park.

If you only have a day to dedicate to Abel Tasman National Park, try walking the 11km section from Medlands Beach to Anchorage. Be sure to allow enough time to relax at idyllic Anchorage and make the side trip to the peaceful Cleopatra’s Pool.

4. Godley Head/Awaroa

Best hike near Christchurch
9.1km, 3 hours, easy to moderate

Poking into the sea at the eastern end of Christchurch’s Port Hills, Godley Head/Awaroa combines a dramatic coastline with an unexpected tale of WWII history, making for a fascinating loop walk with vast ocean views just a half-hour drive from the city center. The walk begins at the end of Taylors Mistake Rd, 17km southeast of Christchurch just beyond Sumner, where there’s a large car park with a toilet block, picnic tables and a surf beach. If you take the longest and most spectacular possible course, running along the very edges of the head, you'll enjoy the best views. On a fine day you might even be treated to views as far north as the Kaikōura Range.

5. Lake Matheson/Te Ara Kairaumati Walk

Best short hike with mountain views
4.4km, 1.5 hours, easy

This walk to Lake Matheson proves that you don’t always need to put in a huge amount of effort to be rewarded with fantastic scenery. The easy track winds through an ancient forest and leads to astounding views of the surrounding mountains reflected in the dark waters of the lake.

The first section of the walk (2.4km return) is fully accessible for wheelchairs and prams, and it passes through native bush before reaching the epic mountain view. The full loop continues around the lake with two more scenic viewpoints.

6. Sealy Tarns Track

Best one-day mountain climb
7.1km return, 3-4 hours, easy

Home to more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s highest mountains, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park’s vertiginous terrain is generally more suited to climbers than hikers. However, several trails offer the chance to survey this majestic landscape, all starting from the excellent National Park Visitor Centre.

Our favorite pick is Sealy Tarns Track. Although it involves a two-hour climb, the ever-present views of the Hooker Valley and surrounding peaks should provide ample distractions. If you’re after a longer hike, continue to the Mueller Hut, one of the most picturesque places to spend a night in New Zealand.

7. Charming Creek North Walkway

Best for history, forests and waterfalls
5.5km, 2 hours one-way, easy

One of the best day walks on the West Coast, the Charming Creek North Walkway is an all-weather trail following an old coal railway line through the Ngākawau River gorge. Along its length are rusty relics, tunnels, a suspension bridge, fascinating geological formations and the mighty Mangatini Falls. The walkway is also an excellent mountain-bike ride and is a good option for active families, as the varied scenery will keep children entertained. You’ll need to arrange transport back to avoid retracing your steps.

8. Gertrude Saddle

Best for mountain views
7km, 4-6 hours, expert

About 25 minutes from Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, the hike to Gertrude Saddle is a wonderful way to experience the Fiordland National Park in a single day. A challenging day hike that's best suited for advanced climbers, this route takes you up through the mountains and to amazing views of the valley, overlooking part of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi.

The trail crosses over a river and past the Black Lake – a perfect spot for lunch and a swim if you don’t mind braving the cold water. Keep in mind the route involves climbing and should be avoided if there’s rain or snow.

9. Routeburn Track

Best of the Great Walks
33km, 2-4 days, intermediate

Arguably the most beautiful of all New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Routeburn Track meanders through alpine rivers and past mirror-like lakes, offering incredible views across mountain peaks and valleys. The track takes you through an alpine wonderland of tarns and sphagnum bogs and is hiked best in the warmer months – only attempt it between May and October if you have alpine, navigation and river crossing skills.

This is one of the country's most popular walks and must be booked up to eight months in advance. If you don’t have time for the full hike, get a taste of the 3.4km Routeburn Track on a one-day hike to Key Summit. The three-hour trail affords panoramic views of Fiordland National Park's mountains, valleys and waterfalls, and it completes the picture with interpretive displays explaining how this spectacular landscape was formed.

10. Milford Track Day Walk

Best for a Great Walks taster

11km return, 3.5 hours, easy

This day walk on the legendary Milford Track includes a boat trip from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf at the head of Lake Te Anau, hiking the track up to Clinton Hut, the first DOC overnight hut on the track for independent hikers, then retracing your steps to Glade Wharf and taking the boat back to Te Anau Downs. It’s a teaser for walking the whole track, but an excellent option for those with limited time. Various companies in Te Anau operate fully guided package trips that include bus and boat transfers, guide and lunch, but you can also book the boat and do this day hike independently. The walk is on a well-maintained, easy-to-follow track.

The Fiordland Outdoors boat leaves from Te Anau Downs, 27km from Te Anau on the road to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where there is a car-parking area. If you don’t have a car, book a return bus trip to Te Anau Downs with Fiordland Outdoors in Te Anau. Book return boat transfers from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf with Fiordland Outdoors which operates 1 November to the end of April. The boat leaves Te Anau Downs at 11.30am and returns from Glade Wharf again at 4pm. This gives you 3.5 hours walking time. BYO food supplies.

This article was updated from Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s Best Day Hikes guidebook, published in October 2025.