New Zealand’s landscapes offer some of the most diverse and breathtaking hiking opportunities on the planet. From ancient glaciers to volcanic plateaus, lush rainforests to coastal wonderlands, the country packs an astonishing variety of terrain into its relatively compact size.
Here is a list of 13 spectacular hikes across New Zealand that deliver truly epic views worth every step of the journey.
Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track cuts through the heart of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks with scenery that seems almost unreal. This 20-mile journey takes hikers through ancient beech forests before emerging above the treeline where panoramic alpine vistas unfold in every direction.
The crystal-clear waters of Lake Mackenzie reflect the surrounding peaks like a perfect mirror, creating a natural postcard moment that no camera can truly capture.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Often described as New Zealand’s greatest day hike, this 12-mile journey crosses a dramatic volcanic landscape that served as ‘Mordor’ in the Lord of the Rings films. The track winds past the perfectly conical Mount Ngauruhoe and skirts the edges of the vibrant Emerald Lakes, whose startling turquoise colors come from dissolved minerals.
The otherworldly terrain feels like walking on another planet, with steaming vents and red craters contrasting against alpine vegetation.
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Golden sand beaches meet crystal-clear azure waters along this coastal paradise in the South Island. The 37-mile track meanders through coastal forest before opening to reveal countless secluded coves where the Tasman Sea gently laps against the shore.
Unlike most New Zealand hikes, the Abel Tasman offers warm swimming spots and relatively gentle terrain, making it accessible even for less experienced hikers seeking world-class coastal scenery.
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Kepler Track
This perfectly designed loop track delivers a greatest hits collection of New Zealand landscapes in one 37-mile package. The trail begins in peaceful beech forest before climbing to exposed ridgelines where hikers can see for over 50 miles on clear days.
The Luxmore Hut sits perched on the mountainside like an eagle’s nest, providing overnight accommodation with views extending across Lake Te Anau all the way to the distant Murchison Mountains.
Milford Track
Often called the ‘finest walk in the world,’ this legendary 33-mile journey takes hikers through the heart of Fiordland National Park. The track follows ancient glacial valleys past thundering waterfalls, including Sutherland Falls, which plunges an astounding 1,900 feet down the mountainside.
The final day reveals the iconic Milford Sound with its towering Mitre Peak rising dramatically from the water – a view that has remained essentially unchanged for thousands of years.
Roy’s Peak
A challenging but rewarding day hike near Wanaka that delivers perhaps the most photographed view in New Zealand. The relentless uphill climb gains nearly 4,000 feet of elevation over just 5 miles, creating burning legs but ever-expanding views.
The famous summit vista looks down upon Lake Wanaka with its islands and bays, while the Southern Alps create a jagged horizon of snow-capped peaks stretching as far as the eye can see.
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Mueller Hut Route
This alpine hike in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park offers front-row seats to New Zealand’s highest mountain. The steep climb up a seemingly endless staircase eventually gives way to a boulder field and finally the iconic red Mueller Hut.
From this lofty perch, hikers witness hanging glaciers that periodically calve with thunderous roars, sending ice cascading down distant slopes like frozen waterfalls caught in slow motion.
Hooker Valley Track
This accessible 6-mile return track offers incredible alpine scenery without the grueling climb of other mountain hikes. Three swing bridges cross braided glacier-fed rivers as the path leads directly toward the imposing face of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
The journey ends at Hooker Lake where icebergs often float peacefully after breaking from the terminal face of the glacier – a phenomenon typically reserved for polar regions seen right here in the Southern Alps.
Rakiura Track
Stewart Island’s premier hike offers a chance to explore New Zealand’s rarely visited third island. This 20-mile circuit winds through coastal forest and along golden beaches where the only footprints you’ll find might belong to the island’s abundant birdlife.
The night skies here reveal a dazzling display of stars, including the Southern Cross and the Milky Way, all undimmed by light pollution – like looking through a window directly into space.
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Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
This 28-mile journey through Te Urewera follows the shoreline of Lake Waikaremoana, a flooded crater formed by an ancient landslide. The trail climbs through dense rainforest to Panekire Bluff, where hikers gaze down 2,000 feet to the shimmering blue waters below.
The surrounding forest is among New Zealand’s most pristine, with ancient trees draped in moss and ferns creating an atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time to a prehistoric world.
Pouakai Crossing
This less crowded alternative to the Tongariro Crossing circles the perfectly symmetrical cone of Mount Taranaki. The trail passes through wildly different vegetation zones as it climbs the volcano’s flanks, from coastal scrub to goblin forest where gnarled, moss-covered trees create an enchanted woodland atmosphere.
The highlight comes at the Pouakai Tarns, where on still days Mount Taranaki’s reflection creates a perfect mirror image in the mountain pools.
Ben Lomond Summit
Rising directly behind Queenstown, this challenging day hike rewards the effort with spectacular 360-degree views of the Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding peaks. The 5,700-foot summit provides an aerial perspective of the adventure capital of New Zealand, with paragliders often soaring at eye level as you take in the alpine panorama.
The southern end of Lake Wakatipu stretches toward the horizon like a fjord, surrounded by peaks that remained unclimbed until the late 19th century.
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Angelus Hut Track
This alpine journey in Nelson Lakes National Park takes hikers along exposed ridgelines with dramatic drops on either side. The reward is reaching Angelus Hut, perched beside a perfect alpine lake surrounded by jagged peaks.
During summer, brave hikers can take an invigorating dip in the crystal-clear waters, where the temperature rarely climbs above 60 degrees even on the hottest days. The setting sun turns the surrounding mountains various shades of pink and orange, creating an almost surreal landscape painting come to life.
Nature’s Grand Design
New Zealand’s hiking trails showcase a land shaped by powerful natural forces over millions of years. These tracks don’t just offer spectacular views – they provide windows into geological history where visitors can witness the ongoing processes that created these landscapes.
The country’s commitment to conservation ensures these natural wonders remain pristine for future generations to experience, just as we do today. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or a casual day-walker, New Zealand’s trails offer life-changing encounters with some of the most remarkable scenery on Earth.
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