20 best day hikes in New Zealand (North and South Islands)
From half day walks to short jaunts of just an hour or two — here are the best walks in New Zealand.
There’s a point, in the middle of most hikes, where I seriously question my choices.
Panting halfway up the side of a mountain on the way to Roy’s Peak or sliding down scree on the slopes of Mount Taranaki, I’ve asked myself “why the **** am I doing this?”
The answer of course, is for the epic views and complete immersion in New Zealand’s wilderness.
New Zealand is one of the best hiking destinations in the world.
Between the North and South Islands, there’s an incredible diversity of landscapes, from volcanic peaks, to glaciers, and coastal cliffs.
Getting to the best viewpoints can be tough, muddy, and leave you with aching calves for days — but the mission is always worth it.
I’ve spent months travelling around New Zealand in my campervan ticking off my dream trails, and I’m still nowhere close to clocking all of the incredible hikes in New Zealand.
These 20 hikes are some of my favourite walks around the country.
A quick note: This list only covers short walks and day hikes. New Zealand has an amazing network of hiking huts and multi-day trails, but you need a bit more equipment and experience to tackle those.
If you’re looking for ultimate New Zealand hiking adventures, you should check out the Great Walk Trails and other multi-day hikes in New Zealand.
New Zealand day hike map
You’ll find great walks anywhere you go in New Zealand, but this map hopefully helps you get a sense of where they most popular hikes are located.
More hiking resources:
The DOC (Department of Conservation) website: Here you’ll find most hikes in New Zealand listed along with campsites, huts, and topo maps. Most trails around New Zealand are managed by DOC, with a few looked after by local councils (like some of the walks around Auckland). There are 13 national parks in New Zealand, and many scenic reserves and conservation areas on top of that.
Niwa has weather forecasts for national parks so it’s a great place to check the conditions before heading out.
The 10 best North Island day hikes
The 10 best South Island hikes
When is the best time to hike in New Zealand?
There are plenty of hikes that you can do all year round in New Zealand, but in general summer and autumn are the best times to hike.
In winter, snow, ice, and avalanches can make a lot of tracks inaccessible. River crossings also become significantly more dangerous.
What should you wear hiking in New Zealand?
On short walks, you can wear anything you feel comfortable in. Trails such as the Hokitika Gorge Walk or Lake Matheson Loop are very well maintained, and you could easily walk them in sandals.
Other hikes, like to the summit of Mount Taranaki, are far more serious and you’ll need proper hiking boots and wet weather gear and warm layers.
I usually hike in Lululemon yoga pants, which I find the most comfortable, and a merino long-sleeved t-shirt. I pack a fleece jumper in my day pack and a rain coat if I’m heading to higher elevations or if the weather isn’t looking good.
I also wear Grisport hiking boots on most walks, except for short walks in summer when I’ll wear Birkenstocks.
For safety reasons — the weather can change fast in New Zealand — you should always have a day pack with water, snacks, and extra warm, waterproof, and windproof layers, even on short walks.
This is particularly important for any higher altitude hikes, like the Tongariro Crossing, where changing weather conditions can be a safety issue.
The best North Island hikes
The North Island offers a warmer climate, coastal hikes, and volcanic cones.
The most famous hike in the North Island is the Tongariro Crossing, but there are many others worth checking out as well. In Rotorua, you can hike to natural hot pools. In the Bay of Islands, you can catch a ferry to island sanctuaries.
Here are some wonderful North Island walks to add to your itinerary.
1. Urupukapuka Island Loop Track
// 7.3 kilometres
// 5 hours
Urupukapuka Island is one of the more accessible islands in the Bay of Islands.
Catch a ferry from Paihia or Russell across to the island, and spend a day exploring the tracks that spiderweb around it.
Walking all the way around the island takes around five hours.
The trail mostly traces the outer edges of the island. Along the way, you’ll get views out across the Bay of Islands, see waves crashing against steep cliffs, and find small coves sheltered by native bush.
There are conservation projects underway to bring birdsong back to the island, so keep your eyes peeled — if you’re lucky, you might spot rare North Island robins or tieke/saddlebacks.
Where to stay: If you want to stay overnight, there are three gorgeous campsites you can choose from; Cable Bay, Sunset Bay, and Urupukapuka Bay.
Getting there: Check the ferry timetable and prices here.
2. Trounson Kauri Park Loop Track
// 1.6 kilometres
// 40 minutes
The Trounson Kauri Park walk is only 40 minutes but it’s one of the best walks in New Zealand for looking at kauri trees.
On the Kauri Coast in Northland, on the edge of the Waipoua Forest, the Trounson Kauri Park is home to stands of incredible mature kauri — the giant trees are survivors of logging which felled almost all of the mighty kauri.
Seeing the last standing giants is a moving experience, and this walk tends to be more peaceful and reflective than the short track to Tane Mahuta.
Visiting Tane Mahuta is something everyone should do when they visit New Zealand, but seeing more of the Waipoua Forest helps to put into context how these giants used to cover much of the North Island.
A local Airbnb host recommended this walk to me, and it blew me away — it’s truly an under the radar gem.
This is a nice, easy walk that people of all ages and fitness levels will enjoy.
3. Te Whara Track
Distance: 7.5 kilometres one way
Duration: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Pretty hard, especially on a hot day — take plenty of water
The Te Whara Track is one of the best coastal hikes in New Zealand.
A steep climb up from Whangarei’s Ocean Beach takes you to the top of a spectacular ridge. Rock pinnacles are draped with thick vines and the trail weaves through impressive coastal forest.
There are multiple lookouts from rocky peaks (unofficial ones, I think?) so climb with caution.
Walking along the crest of the ridge, you have amazing views both north and south. At the end of track you’ll descend a series of steep stairs.
This is a long, tough hike, especially if it’s hot, so take plenty of water.
Don’t miss: If you still have the energy, I recommend dashing over to Smugglers Bay for a quick dip in sublime waters. It’s just a short 15 minute detour from the track.
5. Omanawanui Track
// 5 kilometres out and back
// 2 hours
Omanawanui is one of the best hikes in Auckland.
The trail starts out at Whatipu Beach, one of the incredible black sand beaches in west Auckland, and climbs a series of steps up a ridgeline bordering the Manukau Harbour.
You’ll get stunning views of the Waitakere Ranges and Manukau, as well as sunset views if you visit later in the evening.
Don’t miss: It takes around one hour to drive from Central Auckland out to the Omanawanui Track Carpark. To break up the trip, stop in at Alfred’s General Store in Huia for a snack.
6. The Tarawera Trail
The Tarawera Trail is a fun way to experience natural hot pools near Rotorua.
It’s well off the beaten path, and despite the epic scenery remains an under the radar day walk.
The Tarawera Trail traces a path along the edge of the beautiful Lake Tarawera. There are some small climbs, which are worth it for the awesome views, and lots of lush native bush.
The trail ends at Hot Water Beach, a sandy lakeside beach where the water is naturally hot. Here you can enjoy a soak in the warm water after the hike.
I did this walk in mid-winter with a few friends, and we
It was pretty hot when I was there though, so there was a bit of hopping from scalding hot water into the cold lake, and back again. Still lots of fun!
Getting there: There’s a DOC campsite here, so you could stay the night, or hitch a ride back to the starting point on a water taxi. You get to enjoy a boat ride across the lake to wrap up this day hike.
7. Cooks Cove Walkway
Distance: 6 kilometres return
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Gisborne and the East Cape isn’t a region visited by huge numbers of tourists, but for me that’s part of the appeal. It’s an epic road trip destination and the coastline here is stunning.
The Cooks Cove Walkway is a great day walk for taking in the wild and beautiful scenery on the east coast of the North Island.
The track is well-maintained and generally not too difficult, but there are some steep climbs and stairs.
This walkway takes you to a place near Tolaga Bay, where Captain James Cook arrived in 1769. This gives the area historical significance, if you’re interested in learning more about European arrival in New Zealand.
Don’t miss: Make sure you check out the Tolaga Bay Wharf as well — it’s just a few minutes from the start of the Cooks Cove Walkway. It takes around 30 minutes to walk to the end of the wharf and back, as it’s an incredible 660 metres in length.
It’s a great place to soak up some local culture, with kids bombing off the wharf and plenty of people lined up with their fishing rods hoping for a catch.
8. The Tongariro Crossing
Distance: 19.4 kilometres
Duration: 7-8 hours one way
Difficulty: Moderately difficult
The Tongariro Crossing is one of the most famous hikes in New Zealand.
The track crosses volcanic alpine landscapes in the middle of Tongariro National Park. Along the way you’ll see steaming vents, glacial valleys, ancient lava flows, alpine vegetation and vivid lakes of emerald green.
As one of the most popular hikes in New Zealand, this track gets very busy. You can expect to be walking in an almost constant queue of people, and you’ll need to get creative with your camera angles if you don’t want crowds of people in your photos.
If this doesn’t sound appealing, I recommend trying the Pouakai Crossing instead. You’ll probably have the track to yourself for most of the day!
Getting there: You’ll need some form of shuttle transportation for this hike. You can either be picked up from both ends, or leave your car at the end and have a shuttle take you to the starting point. This is the option we went with, and it was nicer being able to get to the car under our own time instead of having to wait for a bus at a specific time.
When can you hike the Tongariro Crossing? | As an alpine hike, you can only hike the Tongariro Crossing from November to May. From June to October, snow and ice mean you need alpine equipment and expertise.
9. The Pouakai Crossing
// 19 kilometres one way
// 8-9 hours
The Pouakai Crossing is a quieter alternative to the world famous Tongariro Crossing, which is typically bumper to bumper with people.
It’s an epic all day walk that takes you through some of the most striking scenery in New Zealand.
The trail skirts around the feet of the mighty Mount Taranaki, across a spagnum bog and through missy goblin forests. The highlight is the Pouakai Tarns, alpine ponds which reflect back the mountain peak on a still, clear day.
Tip | If you don’t want to do the full crossing, the out-and-back track up to the Pouakai Tarns will take you to some of the highlights, without the full day commitment or logistical challenges.
You can hike in to the tarns in just three hours. You’ll still get to experience the goblin forest and ocean views from the stunning Pouakai Hut - this is definitely one of the best short walks in New Zealand.
10. Mount Taranaki Summit Track
// 12. 6 kilometres return
// 6 hours up, 3 hours down
Climbing to the top of Mount Taranaki is one of the best and most challenging day hikes in New Zealand.
The volcanic cone rises an impressive 2,518 metres above sea level. From the summit, you have a panoramic view of the coast that wraps around the foot of the mountain, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Mount Ruapehu.
The hike is almost straight up, covering a variety of terrains.
You’ll walk through tussock grass before hitting scree slopes, which are a chaotic slip and slide. Eventually you’ll be clambering up volcanic boulders before walking through the crater and up onto the rocky platform at the very top of the mountain.
This is a challenging hike. Check the weather conditions, take enough water, and be ready for scrambling through slippery scree for hours.
Good to know | This is a summer hike only, best between December and April. For more detailed information, check out my post on hiking Mount Taranaki.
South Island day hikes
The South Island has an incredibly diverse range of hikes. In the north are golden beaches, on the west coast are lush rainforests, and in the Southern Alps are glaciers and peaks as sharp and white as crystal.
Each region offers something unique — these walks all showcase a slightly different face of the South Island.
1. Mount Arthur Summit
At 1795 metres, Mount Arthur in Kahurangi National Park offers spectacular views of the Nelson area on a clear day.
This hike can be challenging, but it’s worth the trek. From the Flora carpark — 1 hour 15 minutes outside of Nelson — it takes 3 and a half to 4 hours to hike up to the summit.
Because of the high altitude, a lot of the trail is on the exposed alpine tops. The views are incredible, and the track is fun. You have to climb and scramble over rock formations in some places, so it’s a lot of fun.
The summit is a large flat plateau, the perfect spot for lunch. If you get lucky with the weather, you’ll want to spend some time up here enjoying the view.
Good to know | The drive up to the Flora car park is intense to say the least. It’s rough and unsealed, and best suited to 4wds. I drove my van up there and survived but it was pretty stressful.
2. Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track
// 1.1 kilometres
// 20 minutes
The Punakaiki rocks walk only takes 20 minutes, but it’s spectacular. The trail loops around curious limestone rock formations, which look like stacks of pancakes.
Waves crash against the rocks, and where they find crevices they form blowholes, with spray shooting up into the air.
The path is well formed and there are viewing platforms along the way, where you can see the wild, mist-covered west coast stretching out in both directions.
The village of Punakaiki itself is also very scenic, with limestone cliffs rearing up above the town. It’s worth spending a night here, and enjoying other tracks in the area, like the Porari River trail.
The Porari River Trail is a short walk near Punakaiki, on the West Coast.
As the start/finish section of the Paparoa Trail, hiking this track is a great option if you’ve missed out on booking huts on the Great Walk.
3. Hokitika Gorge Walk
The Hokitika Gorge Walk is an incredible short walk which will give you a glimpse of dense West Coast rainforest, as well as the unbelievably blue water of the gorge.
The water gets its bright blue colour from glacial flour, fine rock particles ground up by a glacier higher in the mountains slowly inching its way down to the sea.
The loop walk is only 2 kilometres, and takes around one hour (depending on how long you want to stop and admire the view!). It crosses two epic swing bridges along the way.
To get to the Hokitika Gorge, you have to drive for about 30 minutes through farmland. It doesn’t look like you’re going to end up in a forest until almost the last minute.
Once you arrive, there’s a large carpark with toilet facilities.
It’s a bit of a detour from Hokitika and the main West Coast highway, but it’s well worth the trek.
4. Lake Matheson Walkway
// 4.4 kilometre loop
// 1 hour 30 minutes
The Lake Matheson Walkway is one of the best short walks in the South Island.
It’s a gentle trail accessible for most abilities, looping around the still dark waters of Lake Matheson.
On calm days, the lake reflects the mountain ranges in the background. Even if the waters are too choppy for the famous mirror reflections, it’s a gorgeous walk in mature West Coast forest.
5. Okarito Coastal Walk
This is an easier walk that still gives you a taste of the West Coast Wilderness. The track runs along the top of the coastal cliffs near Ōkārito before dropping down to remote lagoons and beaches.
This is the only part of the West Coast where the mountain to sea ecosystem is completely uninterrupted.
If the tide is low, you can walk back along the beach. The sea here is a marine reserve so keep an eye on the water - I saw a Hector’s dolphin playing here. They graze in shallow water so they skim the coast closely.
6. Avalanche Peak Track
// 6-8 hours — this is a tough hike
The Avalanche Peak route is a challenging hike in Arhur’s Pass National Park.
It’s the only peak in the park marked by a poled route. The track climbs 1,100 vertical metres from Arthur’s pass village, in just 2.5 kilometres of trail. The peak itself is at 1833 metres.
That means it’s a steep, difficult scramble.
But, the views from the top are epic. On a clear day, you’ll see the rippling mountains of Arthur’s Pass falling away from you on all sides.
Roy's Peak Track
The Roy’s Peak walk is one of the most popular things to do near Wanaka.
It’s an epic day walk for views of the lake and surrounding peaks.
As a lot of the walk is a grind up a gravel track through sheep paddocks, it’s worth going before dawn so you reach the top at sunrise.
Isthmus Peak is an epic hike near Lake Hawea.
Climbing to this sweeping lookout point makes a great alternative to the popular Roy’s Peak hike, which can get very crowded.
Mount Fyffe Summit Track
If the weather gods are on your side and Mount Fox shrugs off its layer of cloud, this route will give you epic views of Fox Glacier without needing to get in a helicopter.
Mount Fox is XXX metres high. From up here you’ll have views of the West Coast and Southern Alps, with keas swooping above alpine tarns.
I did this walk up and back in a day (about seven hours) but you can camp at the top if you want to wake up to the view. If you are going for the day, set off as early as possible to catch the view before the afternoon mist rolls in.
Note that this is a route as opposed to a tramping track, so you should be comfortable following a pretty rough track.
Other walks near Kaikoura:
The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a great walk for spotting seals.
Hooker Valley Track
// 10 kilometres return
// 3 hours
Hooker Valley is one of the best short walks in New Zealand. The trail winds through an alpine valley past streams and glaciers, before finishing up at an iceberg-studded lake.
From here, you have an epic view of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand.
For a taste of the Southern Alps, you can’t beat this hike.
Tip | Stay the night in Mount Cook Village, so you can enjoy the other trails in the area, like the track up to the Sealy Tarns. The Hooker Valley Track is the highlight, but Mount Cook Village makes a great base for short walks in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Rob Roy Glacier Track
// 10 kilometres return
// 3-4 hours
The Rob Roy Glacier Track is touted as one of New Zealand’s best day walks, and it’s definitely up there.
The tricky part is getting to the Raspberry Flat carpark - the road out there is narrow, gravel, and crossed by multiple fords. If there has been a lot of rain, you might need to give it a miss.
If you have strong nerves though, drive on through. I’ve taken a small car and a campervan out there at different times and been fine.
Roberts Point Track
This trail is one of the best ways to see Franz Josef glacier.
Roberts Point Track is a gorgeous trail that crosses swing bridges, climbs across rock faces, and weaves through native bush before arriving at a stunning lookout point.
From a wooden platform, you can look straight across at Franz Josef glacier.
Now that the glacier has retreated, and it’s no longer safe to get close to the base of the glacier, this view is far superior to the short walk you can do alongside the river. You’ll only get to glimpse the upper parts of the glacier from lower down by the river.
From Roberts Point, on a clear day you can see the glacier head on.
Key Summit Track
Distance: 7 kilometres return
Duration: 3 hours
The Key Summit walk is a half day hike off the road to Milford Sound, covering the first section of the Routeburn Track.
It’s an awesome option if you want to experience some of the scenery that makes this Great Walk so popular, without committing to a multi day hike.
On a clear day, you’ll get clear views of Fiordland National Park.
Lake Marian Track
Distance: 6.2 kilometres return
Duration: 3 hours return
The Lake Marian Track starts from Hollyford Road in Fiordland, just off the road to Milford Sound.
If you have half a day to spare, it’s a stunning walk to an alpine lake.
Lake Marian sits in a hanging valley carved out of the mountains by glaciers. Set above the tree line, the mountains sit like a bowl around the lake, and on calm days the water reflects the snow dusted peaks.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you found some inspiration for your next day walk in New Zealand.
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