Hikes in NZ and elsewhere

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Most of the posts listed here involve my hikes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Titles usually include the name of the nearest settlement.

For an introduction to South Island’s hiking regions, see Edward’s post at HikingScenery.com.

Short hikes took me 0-4 hours, medium-length 4-7, long 7-10, and very long 10+. I’ve made a few category exceptions for anomalous times.

Scroll almost all the way down for other sorts of posts about NZ (e.g. hiking without a car), then other countries (e.g. Japan).

North Island hiking

Featured

very long hikes, Taranaki, North Island, NZ hikes

Mt Taranaki summit, Inglewood

very long hikes, Taranaki, North Island, NZ hikes

Very long hike, 20 minutes from Inglewood & 30 from New Plymouth. Autumn ice.

very long hikes, Taranaki, North Island, NZ hikes

long hikes, my favorites, North Island, NZ hikes, Taranaki

Pouakai Summit & Tarn, New Plymouth

long hikes, my favorites, North Island, NZ hikes, Taranaki

Long hike, 20 minutes from New Plymouth. Side-trip off Pouakai Circuit.

long hikes, my favorites, North Island, NZ hikes, Taranaki

Taranaki, NZ hikes, short hikes, North Island

Kapuni Loop & Wilkie’s Pools, Dawson Falls, Stratford

Taranaki, NZ hikes, short hikes, North Island

Short hike on Mt Taranaki, 30 minutes from Stratford & 60 from New Plymouth.

Taranaki, NZ hikes, short hikes, North Island

North Island, short hikes, NZ hikes

Mt Donald McLean via Karamatura Track, Auckland

North Island, short hikes, NZ hikes

Short hike 40 minutes from downtown Auckland.

North Island, short hikes, NZ hikes

North Island, Waikato, NZ hikes, short hikes

Mt Karioi via Wairake Track, Raglan

North Island, Waikato, NZ hikes, short hikes

Short hike 20 minutes from Raglan, 50 minutes from Hamilton.

North Island, Waikato, NZ hikes, short hikes

Waikato, NZ hikes, North Island, short hikes

Kakepuku Mountain, Te Awamutu

Waikato, NZ hikes, North Island, short hikes

Short hike 12 minutes from Te Awamutu, 40 from Hamilton.

Waikato, NZ hikes, North Island, short hikes

North Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, Tongariro, overlaps Te Araroa

Tongariro Crossing, Tongariro

North Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, Tongariro, overlaps Te Araroa

Long hike, 20 minutes from Whakapapa village & 25 from National Park township. Active volcano.

North Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, Tongariro, overlaps Te Araroa

North Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, Tongariro

Dome Summit on Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro

North Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, Tongariro

Long hike in Tongariro NP, 20 minutes from National Park township. Active volcano, sporadic lahars.

North Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, Tongariro

North Island, NZ hikes, short hikes

Halfway up Mt Kuripapango, Kaweka Range

North Island, NZ hikes, short hikes

Short hike 60 minutes from Hastings, Hawke’s Bay.

North Island, NZ hikes, short hikes

NZ hikes, very long hikes, North Island, my favorites, snow

Te Atuaoparapara via Sunrise Hut, Waipukurau

NZ hikes, very long hikes, North Island, my favorites, snow

Very long hike in Ruahine Range. Winter snow. 45 minutes from Waipukurau & Waipawa, Central Hawke’s Bay.

NZ hikes, very long hikes, North Island, my favorites, snow

short hikes, NZ hikes, North Island, overlaps Te Araroa

Skyline Walkway, Wellington

short hikes, NZ hikes, North Island, overlaps Te Araroa

Short hike, accessible on foot or by train from central Wellington.

short hikes, NZ hikes, North Island, overlaps Te Araroa

short hikes, North Island, NZ hikes

Putangirua Pinnacles & Cape Palliser, Wairarapa

short hikes, North Island, NZ hikes

Short hike to the Pinnacles, 40 minutes from Martinborough. Elsewhere, seals & Cape Palliser lighthouse.

short hikes, North Island, NZ hikes

South Island hiking

Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough (Te Tau Ihu and nearby)

Nelson Airport and Blenheim’s Marlborough Airport are the easiest starting points.

Featured

NZ hikes, long hikes, Nelson-Tasman, my favorites, Northern South Island

Iron Hill, Cobb Reservoir

NZ hikes, long hikes, Nelson-Tasman, my favorites, Northern South Island

Long hike, 75 minutes from Tākaka.

NZ hikes, long hikes, Nelson-Tasman, my favorites, Northern South Island

Northern South Island, long hikes, my favorites, NZ hikes, Nelson-Tasman

Mt Peel circuit, Cobb Reservoir

Northern South Island, long hikes, my favorites, NZ hikes, Nelson-Tasman

Long hike, 85 minutes from Tākaka.

Northern South Island, long hikes, my favorites, NZ hikes, Nelson-Tasman

Nelson-Tasman, short hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island

Gibbs Hill, Pōhara

Nelson-Tasman, short hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island

Short hike, 25 minutes from Pōhara & 30 from Tākaka. Done from Wainui, northern trailhead of Abel Tasman Coast Track.

Nelson-Tasman, short hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island

Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes

Ben Nevis, Wakefield

Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes

Medium-length hike. 35 minutes from Wakefield, 45 from Nelson.

Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes

Marlborough, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island

Mt Robertson, Spring Creek

Marlborough, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island

Medium-length hike. 15 minutes from Spring Creek, 20 from Blenheim.

Marlborough, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island

Northern South Island, Nelson-Tasman, short hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

Sentinel Hill, Cable Bay, Nelson

Northern South Island, Nelson-Tasman, short hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

Short hike, 30 minutes from Nelson. The north end of Cable Bay Walkway.

Northern South Island, Nelson-Tasman, short hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

Mt Arthur - Horseshoe Basin circuit, Motueka

Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

Long hike, 45 minutes from Motueka.

Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island, long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

NZ hikes, Marlborough, Northern South Island, short hikes

Wither Hills circuit, Blenheim

NZ hikes, Marlborough, Northern South Island, short hikes

Short hike, accessible on foot from Blenheim. 5 minutes by car from Blenheim Central.

NZ hikes, Marlborough, Northern South Island, short hikes

long hikes, Northern South Island, Marlborough, NZ hikes

Altimarloch, Seddon

long hikes, Northern South Island, Marlborough, NZ hikes

Long hike, entirely 4WD track. 25 minutes from Seddon, 40 from Blenheim.

long hikes, Northern South Island, Marlborough, NZ hikes

short hikes, NZ hikes, Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island

Shedwood Bush Track, Tapawera

short hikes, NZ hikes, Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island

Short hike, accessible on foot from Tapawera. 45 minutes from Nelson, Motueka.

short hikes, NZ hikes, Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island

Northern South Island, Marlborough, short hikes, NZ hikes

Cullen Point tracks, Havelock

Northern South Island, Marlborough, short hikes, NZ hikes

Short hike, 5 minutes from Havelock.

Northern South Island, Marlborough, short hikes, NZ hikes

Mt Takorika, Havelock

Northern South Island, Marlborough, short hikes, NZ hikes

Short hike, accessible on foot from Havelock, Marlborough Sounds.

Northern South Island, Marlborough, short hikes, NZ hikes

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island

St Arnaud Range Track, Nelson Lakes

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island

Medium-length hike, accessible on foot from St Arnaud. 70 minutes from Nelson.

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Nelson-Tasman, Northern South Island

Northern South Island, Nelson-Tasman, very long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

Angelus Hut (via Robert Ridge) as day-hike, Nelson Lakes

Northern South Island, Nelson-Tasman, very long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

Very long hike 15 minutes from St Arnaud. Usually not a day-hike.

Northern South Island, Nelson-Tasman, very long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites

West Coast (Buller District) and North Canterbury (Hurunui and Kaikōura Districts)

Hanmer Springs (Hurunui) is most easily accessed from Christchurch, while both Christchurch and Blenheim/Picton make sense for visiting Kaikōura. Nelson makes the most sense for Reefton and Springs Junction (Buller District).

Featured

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, North Canterbury, Northern South Island

Faust, Lewis Pass

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, North Canterbury, Northern South Island

Long hike near Lewis Pass. 30 minutes from Springs Junction, 45 from Hanmer Springs.

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, North Canterbury, Northern South Island

my favorites, Northern South Island, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, West Coast

Mt Haast, Springs Junction

my favorites, Northern South Island, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, West Coast

Medium-length hike, 10 minutes from Springs Junction & 30 from Reefton.

my favorites, Northern South Island, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, West Coast

very long hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island, snow, North Canterbury

Mt Fyffe to Gable Peak, Kaikōura

very long hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island, snow, North Canterbury

Very long hike 20 minutes from Kaikōura. Summer snow.

very long hikes, NZ hikes, Northern South Island, snow, North Canterbury

NZ hikes, short hikes, Canterbury, Northern South Island, North Canterbury

Mt Isobel via Jack’s Pass, Hanmer Springs

NZ hikes, short hikes, Canterbury, Northern South Island, North Canterbury

Short hike from Jacks Pass, 13 minutes from Hanmer Springs. Alternative: accessible on foot from town.

NZ hikes, short hikes, Canterbury, Northern South Island, North Canterbury

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, Northern South Island, North Canterbury

Mt Dumblane to Mt Charon, Hanmer Springs

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, Northern South Island, North Canterbury

Long hike from Jacks Pass, 13 minutes from Hanmer Springs.

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, Northern South Island, North Canterbury

Christchurch’s Port Hills & the Banks Peninsula, Central Canterbury

Featured

Canterbury, NZ hikes, short hikes, Banks Peninsula

Lyttelton-Crater Rim circuit, Christchurch

Canterbury, NZ hikes, short hikes, Banks Peninsula

Short hike, accessible on foot from Lyttelton, Christchurch.

Canterbury, NZ hikes, short hikes, Banks Peninsula

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

Summit Walkway: Hilltop to Mt Sinclair, Banks Peninsula

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

Medium-length hike on a portion of the Summit Walkway. 25 minutes from Akaroa, 65 minutes from Christchurch.

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

Mt Herbert, Banks Peninsula

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

Long hike accessible on foot from Diamond Harbour. 45 minutes from Christchurch.

NZ hikes, long hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

NZ hikes, my favorites, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

Stony Bay Peak-Flag Peak Circuit, Banks Peninsula

NZ hikes, my favorites, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

Medium-length hike accessible on foot from Akaroa. 90 minutes from Christchurch.

NZ hikes, my favorites, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Banks Peninsula

Central Canterbury

Hikes from the Waimakariri River area in the northeast to the Rangitata River area in the southwest. I started and finished almost every trip in Christchurch.

Featured

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, short hikes

Upper Ōpuke circuit, Mt Hutt forest, Methven

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, short hikes

Short hike from Awa Awa Rata Reserve, 15 minutes from Methven.

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, short hikes

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury

Mt Oxford, Oxford

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury

Medium-length hike 12 minutes from Oxford. 60 minutes from Christchurch

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

Near Point 1844, Mt Aicken, Arthur’s Pass

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

Medium-length hike - turned back due to weather. Accessible on foot, Arthur’s Pass.

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

NZ hikes, very long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

Mt Cassidy - Blimit - Temple Col Traverse, Arthur’s Pass

NZ hikes, very long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

Very long loop hike accessible on foot from Arthur’s Pass.

NZ hikes, very long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, very long hikes, Arthurs Pass

Mt Bealey - Avalanche Peak Traverse, Arthur’s Pass

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, very long hikes, Arthurs Pass

Very long loop hike accessible on foot from Arthur’s Pass.

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, very long hikes, Arthurs Pass

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

Bealey Spur to Point 1581, Arthur’s Pass

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

Medium-length hike 12 minutes from Arthur’s Pass.

NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, Arthurs Pass

NZ hikes, short hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury

Helicopter Hill, Castle Hill

NZ hikes, short hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury

Short hike 10 minutes from Castle Hill village. 35 minutes from both Arthur’s Pass & Springfield.

NZ hikes, short hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury

NZ hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, very long hikes, my favorites

Mt Lyndon to Red Hill, Castle Hill

NZ hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, very long hikes, my favorites

Very long hike near Porters Pass. 10 minutes from Castle Hill village; 20 minutes from Springfield.

NZ hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, very long hikes, my favorites

NZ hikes, very long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury

Mt Cloudsley-Mt Enys Traverse, Castle Hill

NZ hikes, very long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury

Very long hike, accessible on foot from Castle Hill. 30 minutes from Springfield, 40 from Arthur’s Pass.

NZ hikes, very long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, short hikes

Trig M, Castle Hill

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, short hikes

Short hike at Porters Pass. 12 minutes from Castle Hill and 20 minutes from Springfield.

NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, short hikes

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury

Peak Hill, Lake Coleridge

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury

Medium-length hike 15 minutes from Lake Coleridge village, 45 minutes from Methven.

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury

long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ hikes, Hakatere

Mt Somers via Sharplin Falls, Mt Somers village

long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ hikes, Hakatere

Long hike 12 minutes from Mt Somers village. 25 minutes from Methven.

long hikes, Central Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ hikes, Hakatere

Central Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Hakatere

Mt Barrosa, Mt Somers village

Central Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Hakatere

Medium-length hike 15 minutes from Mt Somers village. 35 minutes from Methven.

Central Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ hikes, medium-length hikes, Hakatere

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, my favorites, Hakatere

Mt Guy, Lake Clearwater

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, my favorites, Hakatere

Medium-length circuit from Lake Clearwater holiday village. 30 minutes from Mt Somers village.

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Central Canterbury, my favorites, Hakatere

Mackenzie Basin and Waitaki Valley, Canterbury

The Mackenzie Basin can be toured as part of a long drive from either Christchurch or Queenstown. Timaru Airport (flights from Wellington) is a more obscure option, but it saves time.

For the Waitaki Valley, Dunedin is also a reasonable starting point. The Waitaki Valley hikes were formerly in North Otago, but this area has been reassigned to South Canterbury.

The Mackenzie Basin is known for hiking, but the Waitaki Valley is not. However, the valley is less likely to have snow, and parts of it appear to be shielded from the prevailing northwesterly winds.

Featured

very long hikes, Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, NZ hikes

Point 1966 via Freehold Creek, Twizel

very long hikes, Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, NZ hikes

Very long hike, 30 minutes from Twizel.

very long hikes, Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, NZ hikes

NZ hikes, short hikes, Waitaki Valley, Canterbury

Kurow Hill Walkway, Kurow

NZ hikes, short hikes, Waitaki Valley, Canterbury

Short hike accessible on foot in Kurow, Waitaki Valley.

NZ hikes, short hikes, Waitaki Valley, Canterbury

NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin, medium-length hikes, Canterbury

Ben Ōhau via Greta Track, Twizel

NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin, medium-length hikes, Canterbury

Medium-length hike, 30 minutes from Twizel.

NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin, medium-length hikes, Canterbury

short hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Mackenzie Basin, snow

Mt John, Lake Tekapo

short hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Mackenzie Basin, snow

Short hike from Lake Tekapo village up Mt John, and back to the village along Lake Tekapo.

short hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Mackenzie Basin, snow

short hikes, Canterbury, NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin

Sealy Tarns, Mt Cook village

short hikes, Canterbury, NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin

Short hike on Mt Ollivier, not as far as Mueller Hut. Walking distance from Mt Cook village.

short hikes, Canterbury, NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin

short hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Waitaki Valley

Benmore Peninsula, Otematata

short hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Waitaki Valley

Short hike in Waitaki Valley. 5 minutes from Otematata, 25 from Ōmarama.

short hikes, NZ hikes, Canterbury, Waitaki Valley

snow, Canterbury, short hikes, NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin

Ewe Range Track, Ōmarama

snow, Canterbury, short hikes, NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin

Short hike (partial) through Mackenzie Basin hill pasture. 20 minutes from Ōmarama.

snow, Canterbury, short hikes, NZ hikes, Mackenzie Basin

Canterbury, NZ hikes, short hikes, snow, Mackenzie Basin, Otago

Double Peak, Lindis Pass

Canterbury, NZ hikes, short hikes, snow, Mackenzie Basin, Otago

Short hike at the boundary of Otago and the Mackenzie Basin (Canterbury). 25 minutes from Ōmarama.

Canterbury, NZ hikes, short hikes, snow, Mackenzie Basin, Otago

Lake Wānaka - Lake Hāwea area, Queenstown Lakes region, Otago

Arriving at Queenstown airport is the easiest way to get here.

Featured

very long hikes, NZ hikes, Otago, overlaps Te Araroa, Wanaka-Hawea

Grandview Ridge Circuit, Lake Hāwea

very long hikes, NZ hikes, Otago, overlaps Te Araroa, Wanaka-Hawea

Very long circuit from Nook Rd, 8 minutes from Hāwea township. (Or from Breast Hill trailhead.)

very long hikes, NZ hikes, Otago, overlaps Te Araroa, Wanaka-Hawea

Otago, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea, very long hikes, my favorites, NZ hikes

Black Peak via Treble Cone, Wānaka

Otago, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea, very long hikes, my favorites, NZ hikes

Very long hike from Treble Cone ski field. 40 minutes from Wānaka.

Otago, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea, very long hikes, my favorites, NZ hikes

long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea, overlaps Te Araroa

Breast Hill, Lake Hāwea

long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea, overlaps Te Araroa

Long hike on the east shore of Lake Hāwea. 10 minutes from Hāwea township.

long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea, overlaps Te Araroa

Otago, NZ hikes, very long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Corner Peak, Lake Hāwea

Otago, NZ hikes, very long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Very long hike on the east shore of Lake Hāwea. 20 minutes from Hāwea township.

Otago, NZ hikes, very long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Otago, very long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Sentinel Peak, Lake Hāwea

Otago, very long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Very long hike on the north shore of Lake Hāwea. 30 minutes from Hāwea township.

Otago, very long hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

NZ hikes, Otago, long hikes, medium-length hikes, snow, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Roy’s Peak, Wānaka: Summer vs Winter

NZ hikes, Otago, long hikes, medium-length hikes, snow, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Hiking to Roy’s Peak without snow, and to the famous lookout point in snow. A long hike 10 minutes from Wānaka.

NZ hikes, Otago, long hikes, medium-length hikes, snow, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Isthmus Peak, Lake Hāwea

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Long hike on isthmus between Lakes Wānaka & Hāwea. 20 minutes from Hāwea township.

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Rocky Mountain, Wānaka

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Short hike 20 minutes from Wānaka. Passes by Diamond Lake.

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Wanaka-Hawea

Lake Wakatipu and Arrowtown area, Queenstown Lakes region, Otago

Arriving at Queenstown airport is the easiest way to get here.

Featured

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Rock Peak, Arrowtown

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Short hike in Pisa Conservation Area, 20 minutes from Arrowtown.

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Moonlight Track, Queenstown

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Long hike from Arthur’s Point to Ben Lomond Saddle, via less-used route. 10 minutes from Queenstown.

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Crown Peak, Arrowtown

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Long hike, accessible on foot from Arrowtown.

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Brow Peak, Arrowtown

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Medium-length hike, accessible on foot from Arrowtown.

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

short hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Jack’s Point vs Kelvin Peninsula, Queenstown

short hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Comparing short hikes/walks at either end of the longer Jack’s Point Track. Near Queenstown.

short hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Mt Dewar & Long Gully, Queenstown

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Short hikes 20 minutes from both Queenstown and Arrowtown.

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Ben Lomond vs Bowen Peak, Queenstown

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Queenstown’s famous peak vs slightly lower neighbor. Same access tracks. Medium-length hikes.

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Moke Lake, Queenstown

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Short circuit around a lake. 20 minutes from Queenstown.

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Mt Crichton Loop Track, Queenstown

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Short loop 15 minutes from Queenstown.

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

very long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Mt Crichton, Queenstown

very long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Very long hike 15 minutes from Queenstown. Reached Point 1723 via southern route.

very long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

very long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Mt Alaska, Glenorchy

very long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Very long hike 5 minutes from Glenorchy. Includes the shorter Heather Jock Loop.

very long hikes, Otago, NZ hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Otago, very long hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Black Peak, Glenorchy

Otago, very long hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Very long hike 5 minutes from Glenorchy, 50 minutes from Queenstown. Shorter version: Mt McIntosh.

Otago, very long hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Otago, long hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Sugarloaf Pass, Glenorchy

Otago, long hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Long hike near the famous Routeburn Track. 30 minutes from Glenorchy.

Otago, long hikes, NZ hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area, Glenorchy

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Lorn Peak, Kingston

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Long hike 45 minutes from Queenstown.

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, snow, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Shadow Basin Lookout & Lake Alta, The Remarkables

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, snow, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Short hikes 40 minutes from Queenstown. Autumn snow.

Otago, short hikes, NZ hikes, snow, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Mt Salmond - Doolan’s Headwaters Traverse, The Remarkables

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Long hike from Gibbston to the Remarkables. 20 minutes from Arrowtown, 30 minutes from Queenstown.

Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, my favorites, Queenstown Lakes region, Lake Wakatipu area

Central Otago

The arid regions around Lake Dunstan, the Manuherikia River, and the Maniototo Plain. Note that some publications treat the Queenstown Lakes region (above) as part of Central Otago.

Queenstown, Invercargill, and Dunedin airports are all reasonable choices for getting here.

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Central Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Otago

Mt Ida via Tourist Spur, Naseby

Central Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Otago

Long hike, 15 minutes from Naseby & 20 from Ranfurly.

Central Otago, NZ hikes, long hikes, Otago

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Central Otago, Otago

Lindis Peak, Tarras

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Central Otago, Otago

Medium-length hike. 12 minutes from Tarras, 35 from Cromwell, 40 from Wānaka.

medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, Central Otago, Otago

short hikes, NZ hikes, Central Otago, Otago

Bannockburn Sluicings, Cromwell

short hikes, NZ hikes, Central Otago, Otago

Short hike, 7 minutes from Cromwell.

short hikes, NZ hikes, Central Otago, Otago

short hikes, NZ hikes, Otago, Central Otago

Bendigo Lookout via Mt Koinga Track, Tarras

short hikes, NZ hikes, Otago, Central Otago

Short hike, 15 minutes from Tarras and Cromwell.

short hikes, NZ hikes, Otago, Central Otago

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Central Otago

Kānuka Track, Tarras

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Central Otago

Short hike in the Bendigo area. 25 minutes from Cromwell.

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, Central Otago

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, my favorites, Central Otago

Devil’s Creek Track, Cromwell

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, my favorites, Central Otago

Short hike (partial) in the Bendigo area. 10 minutes from Cromwell.

Otago, NZ hikes, short hikes, my favorites, Central Otago

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, snow, Central Otago

Point 1658, Hawkdun Range, St Bathans

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, snow, Central Otago

Medium-length winter hike. 30 minutes from St Bathans, 1 hour from Alexandra.

Otago, medium-length hikes, NZ hikes, snow, Central Otago

Southeastern Otago

Dunedin is the best starting place; Invercargill is the other option. I haven’t done a post on The Catlins, but you can see some of its coastline in South Island: Scenery.

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