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    A man stood at the viewpoint from Roy's Peak in New Zealand

    Great Walks and Hiking Trips in New Zealand made for you

    Go hiking in New Zealand’s incredibly diverse landscape on a tour expertly crafted just for you

    New Zealand Great Walks and short walks through spectacular wilderness

    Whether you want to experience one of the eleven acclaimed multi-day “Great Walks”, or simply set out on short walks like the Tasman Glacier View Track in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, traversing the twin islands of New Zealand on foot offers an unrivalled intimate experience with the landscape.

    The less populated South Island showcases alpine ranges, pristine lakes, extraordinary marine ecosystems, remarkable birdlife and dramatic coastlines. In the sunny far north of the South Island, Nelson and Abel Tasman is home to the Abel Tasman Coast Track, where the crystal clear bays can be accessed by boat so you walk as far as you wish; and in the far south is Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park where you can tramp the astonishingly beautiful – and challenging – Routeburn, Kepler or Milford tracks. The West Coast has the Paparoa Track across New Zealand’s spectacular Paparoa Range, and the Heaphy Track, first used by Māori pounamu (jade) hunters.

    The North Island blends rich Māori heritage with European influences, featuring golden shores and excellent surf beaches, lush vineyards, geothermal wonders and the urban centres of Auckland and Wellington. If you’re keen to challenge yourself to the magnificent one-day Tongariro Alpine Crossing, our expert travel designers will arrange for you to stay in nearby Taupo, on the scenic shores of its namesake lake. Or you might prefer a few relaxing days in Hawke’s Bay, the North Island’s wine country, where you can experience the vast mountainous region of Te Urewera on the Lake Waikaremoana Track.

    Whether you want a short hike or a challenging multi-day trek, our tailored itineraries ensure that your trip includes the best walks in New Zealand, personalised for you.

    Highlights

    View the Haupapa Tasman Glacier on a walk in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

    Hike the dramatic volcanic landscape of Tongariro Alpine Crossing, near Taupo

    Enjoy a guided walk on Fiordland‘s Routeburn Track and spot native birds

    Be dropped off by water taxi for a bush walk in Abel Tasman National Park

    Discover the black sand shores and rainforests of the rugged West Coast near Auckland   

    Even during brief visits to New Zealand, you can experience the country's striking topography and spectacular wilderness areas on foot, with multi-day and short walking routes available to suit everyone.

    Ellie Khoury headshot

    Ellie Khoury

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in New Zealand

    There are many incredible places to stay in New Zealand. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why book with Jacada?

    Personalised design illustration image

    Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

    Authentic experiences illustration image

    Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

    Responsible travel illustration image

    Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your New Zealand tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Where to go

    Hawke's Bay thumbnail

    Hawke's Bay

    The North Island's sunny wine country offers lovely strolls past famous vineyards, fruit orchards and golden fields, with charming buildings dotting the landscape. Te Urewera, the largest area of native forest remaining in the North Island lies between here and the Bay of Plenty.

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    Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook

    Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest summit with its fitting Māori name meaning ‘cloud piercer’, commands attention above the national park’s landscape of 22 other snow-capped mountains, flowering meadows, glacial streams and turquoise lakes.

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    Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park thumbnail

    Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park

    With the snowy-peaked Southern Alps sloping down into deep blue waters and lushly forested shores teeming with wildlife, Fiordland National Park in the south-western corner of New Zealand’s South Island is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes.

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    Nelson and Abel Tasman

    A remarkably diverse landscape that ranges from golden sand beaches and dense native forests to secluded rivers and the clearest freshwater lake in the world. The region's crown jewel is Abel Tasman National Park – New Zealand’s smallest national park.

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    Rotorua and Taupo thumbnail

    Rotorua and Taupo

    Steaming mud pools, erupting geysers, crater lakes and rich Māori traditions make the Rotorua and Taupō region one of the most distinctive and culturally vibrant destinations in New Zealand. Taupo is a good base for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

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    West Coast and the Glaciers

    Wedged between the mighty Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s West Coast unfolds as a narrow but striking stretch of wilderness, packed with some of the country’s most extraordinary scenery.

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    When to visit

    New Zealand offers fantastic hiking year-round. Summer is ideal for tackling the Great Walks with long days and clear weather. Autumn brings cool, crisp conditions and vibrant foliage, especially in the South Island. Spring is perfect for seeing wildflowers and melting snow on alpine trails, while winter offers quiet paths and dramatic landscapes – best for lower-altitude hikes or North Island trails.

    Multi-day Great Walks main icon

    Multi-day Great Walks

    October–April

    Dazzling Autumn colours  main icon

    Dazzling Autumn colours

    March–May

    Wine tasting  main icon

    Wine tasting

    March–April

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    Alpine flowers

    September–November

    When is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

    When is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

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    Plan your trip to New Zealand

    Whatever you want from your hiking tour in New Zealand, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Plan with peace of mind

    When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

    If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

    Find out more
    Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline