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
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in New Zealand
Why book with Jacada?

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

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.
Discover more
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.
Discover more
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.
Discover more
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.
Discover more
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.
Discover more
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.
Discover moreWhen 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
October–April

Dazzling Autumn colours
March–May

Wine tasting
March–April

Alpine flowers
September–November
New Zealand Travel Guides
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.