A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.

Ben Gatting, who recently completed all 11 Great Walks in 11 days, has ranked them in a recent article in The Spinoff.

He used three main criteria. The first was admin and logistics like getting to the start and end of the trail, transport options and proximity to nearby towns. Secondly, he also evaluated the infrastructure of the trail itself, the huts and signage. The final factor used was the scenery and experience. For this, he looked at the native flora and fauna, variety of landscapes and side missions that can be done from the trail.

His final rankings were:

1. Paparoa Trail

2. Tongariro Northern Circuit

3. Routeburn Track

4. Abel Tasman Coastal Track

5. Kepler Track

6. Hump Ridge Track

7. Milford Track

8. Whanganui Journey

9. Lake Waikaremoana 

10. Heaphy Track

11. Rakiura Track

Read the full reviews of each trail in The Spinoff.

Meet three women execs at leading outdoor brands

Last Saturday, 8 March, was International Women’s Day. In honour of the occasion, Outside reached out to three executives to ask, “What is it like being a woman leader in the outdoor industry right now?”

Joy Allen-Altimare, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Saucony said, “Advocacy for creating space and providing support for women is a value I hold dearly. Early in my career, I recognised the profound importance of championing women within the corporate landscape—whether as a director, manager, or peer.”

Lindsay Shumlas, CEO of Cotopaxi said, “Mentoring and supporting one another to reach the top isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s smart business. Women make up a large portion of our customer base, so when women lead, business thrives, and positive outcomes reach far beyond our four walls.

Arielle Knutson, CEO at Oiselle said, “It’s always been incredibly important (but particularly right now) for female leaders to foster connection with each other and with the community around them. For many women, the world feels like a heavy place at the moment, and even the very best leaders don’t innately know how to lead through the kind of uncertainty and change that we’re experiencing in our own country.”

Watch a man stealth camp in a dump truck

For those of you familiar with Steve Wallis, the Canadian YouTube star who camps every night of the year and is known for his stealth camping antics, you might not be surprised with his latest sleeping spot – a dump truck. But for the uninitiated, brace yourself for the weird world of Wallis in this 30-minute YouTube video.

To make the video, Wallis convinced the owner of a local dump truck company to let him borrow one for the night. He then proceeded to park it on the shoulder of a highway for the night. But that isn’t all. Wallace also manages to use the truck’s batteries to power a space heater and pizza oven to cook an evening meal. He also managed to set up security cameras to film and warn him of potential run-ins with the police. Although he wakes to a frosty morning, he seems relatively well-rested.

Australia’s top off-the-grid camping destinations 

Whether you want peace or adventure, NewsBytes has highlighted five off-the-grid camping spots across the ditch.

Cape Arid National Park on the southern coast of Western Australia is famous for its rugged coastline and pristine beaches. Campers can explore diverse ecosystems, including heathlands and woodlands while enjoying activities like hiking and birdwatching.

Located off the Queensland coast, Hinchinbrook Island is famous for its unspoiled natural beauty. The island, accessible only by boat, features secluded beaches and lush rainforests. With few facilities available, campers are expected to be self-sufficient during their stay.

Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales is home to Australia’s highest peak. This alpine region presents unique camping opportunities amid the snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes.

The Lake Eyre Basin in the centre of the country, provides stark contrast with its desolate desert terrain and ephemeral lakes. And with minimal light pollution, it’s an ideal spot for stargazing.

In northwest Tasmania, the Tarkine Wilderness Area is home to the largest temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere. It boasts ancient trees, ferns, and moss-covered trails to hidden waterfalls and rivers.

The Spanish walking trail that looks like New Zealand

The Camino del Anillo, or ‘Way of the Ring’, is a themed walking route in central Spain that winds through the Sierra Norte mountains. The circular trail covers 122km and takes hikers over rugged mountains, past flowing rivers and into magical forests.

According to The Sun, it looks a lot like New Zealand and even like the Lord of the Rings movies.

Travellers set off from El Berrueco, an area of sweeping countryside with tiny caves resembling ‘Hobbit holes’ in the hills. Then they can head to the crumbling ramparts of Buitrago del Lozoya (which looks like the village of Bree), visit Weathertop at Cabeza de Piñuecar and experience the grandeur of Minas Tirith when they reach Torrelaguna. These are just a few of the spots that evoke places from Tolkien’s world.

Spain has long been a favourite for hiking holidays, home to Europe’s oldest and most popular route, the Camino de Santiago. Situated just one hour outside of Madrid, the trail’s location makes it easily accessible. Read the full story from The Sun.