Sam Summers Hut, Queenstown
Accessible near Queenstown is this rustic yesteryear gold mining hut, built from schist and iron during the 1930s by local prospector Sam Summers. Overnight use of the hut is…
- Distance
- 7km
- Time
- 2.5-3hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Find your trail
Otago
Catlins River Track, Otago
This is an easy riverside bush track taking walkers through one of the largest remaining forested areas of the eastern South Island and passing exquisite cascades of the Catlins…
- Distance
- 11km
- Time
- 4-5.5hr each way
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Dore Pass, Fiordland National Park
From its completion in 1908, the Milford Track was originally used exclusively by the Tourist Hotel Corporation. Frustrated trampers continually failed to gain independent access until 1965, when the…
- Distance
- 10km to Glade House
- Time
- Pass, 4-5hr; to Glade House, 3.5-4.5hr
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Cascade Saddle, Mt Aspiring National Park
Cascade Saddle is a spectacular tramp resulting in what are arguably the best views you can get of Mt Aspiring/Tititea. But those views are hard-earned and can only be…
- Distance
- 15.3km
- Time
- 6-8hr
- Grade
- Difficult
Dromedary Hill, Lindis Conservation Area
The Lindis Conservation Area provides a plethora of tracks for both trampers and mountain bikers through its rolling tussock hills and alpine ridges. The seldom visited Dromedary Hill is…
- Distance
- 20km return
- Time
- 6-8hr return
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
MacLennan Hut, Catlins Conservation Park
MacLennan Hut (curiously spelt McLennan on topo maps) sits in the middle of a lush pocket of bush and is a hidden jewel of the Catlins Conservation Park. Access…
- Distance
- 7.63km
- Time
- 2-3hrs
- Grade
- Moderate
Tautuku Hut, Catlins Conservation Park
Tautuku Hut is essentially a shed that was donated to DOC by ex-All Black and the local Skyline Garages franchisee Laurie Mains. Mains converted the garage and donated it…
- Distance
- 4km
- Time
- 2-3hrs
- Grade
- Easy
Skyline Track, Wanaka
The track begins from Roy’s Peak car park, which has been known to be full before 10am in peak season, so an early start is advised (there is a…
- Distance
- 23km
- Time
- 8-11hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Sentinel Peak, Hāwea Conservation Park
Like a watchman, Sentinel Peak stands tall and proud over two of New Zealand’s best-known lakes: Wanaka and Hāwea. The 1814m peak is a custodian of a unique perspective…
- Distance
- 6.86km to Sentinel Peak
- Time
- Carpark to Sawyer Burn Hut, 1.5-2hr; To Sentinel Peak, 4-5hr; To car park 4-5hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Steele Creek Hut via Ailsa Mountains, Caples and Greenstone conservation areas
The Greenstone – Caples Circuit is a well-known classic due to its easy-flowing trail amid grand mountain scenery. However, the Ailsa Mountains that separate these two lush river valleys…
- Distance
- 43.1km
- Time
- Car park to Home Hill Hut 4hr; To Pt1395, 4hr; To Steele Creek Hut, 4hr; To Caples Junction, 6hr, To Mid Caples Hut, 2hr To Car park, 2hr
- Grade
- Difficult
Shovel Flat, Mt Aspiring National Park
On a riverside sandwiched between spectacular peaks near the head of the West Matukituki Valley, Shovel Flat offers an accessible campsite to experience the grandeur of Mt Aspiring National…
- Distance
- 12.4km
- Time
- 3-4hr
- Grade
- Easy
Old Woman Hut, Old Woman Range/Kopuwai Conservation Area
The barren, tundra-like high country of Kopuwai Conservation Area in Central Otago offers views from The Remarkables to Aoraki/Mt Cook and an alpine experience like no other. Encompassing a…
- Distance
- 4.76km
- Time
- 70-90mins
- Grade
- Easy
Cairnmuir Hill Track, Central Otago
Traversing a mountain range between the historic Central Otago gold mining towns of Clyde and Cromwell, the Cairnmuir Hill Track provides an excellent vantage point to soak in ‘big…
- Distance
- 20.7km
- Time
- 6-8hr (3-5hr to mountain bike)
- Grade
- Moderate
Rob Roy Peak, Mt Aspiring National Park
If you’re keen enough to venture to Rob Roy Glacier and marvel at the lofty summits at the head of the valley, a little extra planning and preparation could…
- Distance
- 9.83km
- Time
- Car park to Rob Roy Peak, 10hr
- Grade
- Difficult
Park Pass Glacier, Mt Aspiring National Park
The trip starts at the Routeburn Road end but leaves the Routeburn Track after a short time and climbs steeply to Sugar Loaf Pass, where it descends, again steeply,…
- Distance
- 18.2km
- Time
- Road end to Park Pass, 8-9hr; Park Pass to lake outlet, 2hr
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Park Pass Glacier, Mt Aspiring National Park
Park Pass Glacier is one of those special places that you’d expect would take days of difficult and arduous tramping to reach. The glacier cascades spectacularly from its high…
- Distance
- 18.2km
- Time
- Road end to Park Pass, 8-9hr; Park Pass to lake outlet, 2hr
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Basin View Track, Flat Top Hill Conservation Area
Renowned for its autumn colours and mirror-like reflections, Butchers Dam has become a staple of New Zealand calendars and postcards, but climbing the nearby hills gives a new perspective…
- Distance
- 7.27km
- Time
- 3hr
- Grade
- Easy
Dynamo Hut, Mt Aurum Recreation Reserve
An electrifying hike Skippers Creek offers a gateway to one of New Zealand’s richest and most isolated goldfields and a diverse landscape of beech forest, tussock country and rugged…
- Distance
- 7.67km
- Time
- To Bullendale Hut, 3hr; Bullendale to Dynamo Hut, 2hr
- Grade
- Easy
Route Burn North Branch, Mt Aspiring National Park
While the Great Walks offer an excellent introduction to the enjoyment of tramping, they also provide launchpads to more intrepid places where fewer trampers venture. Just an hour off…
- Distance
- 11km
- Time
- 2.5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Glacier Burn Track, Humboldts Conservation Area
With a steep climb to the treeline, where waterfalls tumble down the sheer rock walls of 2300m peaks, the Glacier Burn Track is a portal to a rugged alpine…
- Distance
- 3.13km
- Time
- 3h return
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Grandview Mountain, Hawea
Rising to 1398m above Lake Hawea, the aptly-named Grandview Mountain provides a stunning panorama without the crowds of nearby Roys Peak. Starting from the car park at the Nook…
- Distance
- 9km
- Time
- 4-6hr return
- Grade
- Moderate
Lake Alta, The Remarkables Conservation Area
Lake Alta is an exquisite alpine jewel set in a post-glacial cirque at 1800m right under the north-east face of Double Cone, 2319m. Reaching the lake is easy, considering…
- Distance
- 1.56km
- Time
- 45min to the lake
- Grade
- Moderate
Mt Mason via Mt Rosa Track, Central Otago
From the tiny car park just off SH6, a stile takes you into a field where a short series of poles guides walkers alongside a narrow stream and towards…
- Distance
- 7km return
- Time
- 2.5-3hr return
- Grade
- Easy
Meg Hut, Pisa Conservation Area
In a valley in the dry high country hills of Pisa Conservation Area, Meg Hut provides a cosy bunk for the night. The eight-bunker is an old musterers hut…
- Distance
- 14.2km
- Time
- Roaring Meg car park to Meg Hut 3-4hr; Tuohys Gully car park to Meg Hut, 2-3hr; Meg Hut to Deep Creek Hut, 5-6hr return
- Grade
- Moderate
Rees-Dart Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
From Muddy Creek at the end of Rees Valley Road, a 4WD road crosses leasehold land along easy river flats. Follow marker poles across a boggy section beyond Arthurs…
- Distance
- 77km
- Time
- Muddy to Shelter Rock Hut, 5-7hr; To Dart Hut, 4-6hr; To Daleys Flat Hut, 5-7hr; To Chinamans Bluff car park, 5-7hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Routeburn Track, Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks
Two national parks, two iconic valleys, and more stunning views, lakes and waterfalls than you can point a selfie-stick at – the Routeburn is the complete package. Starting from…
- Distance
- 32km
- Time
- The Divide to Howden Hut, 90min; To Lake Mackenzie Hut, 4hr; To Routeburn Falls Hut, 5hr; To Routeburn Flats Hut, 1hr; To Routeburn Shelter, 2hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Lake Hope, Remarkables Conservation Area
Climbing from the shore of Lake Wakatipu and over the Hector Mountains, the trip to Lake Hope is a classic alpine adventure, just a short drive from Queenstown From…
- Distance
- 20.8km
- Time
- SH6 to Two Mile Creek Hut, 4hr. Hut to Lake Hope, 4hr. Lake Hope to Wye Creek car park down South Wye, 4hr.
- Grade
- Moderate
Isthmus Peak Track, Matatiaho Conservation Area
A short drive north of Wanaka, Isthmus Peak features grandiose views of both Lake Wanaka and Hawea, but with a fraction of the company of the popular Roys Peak…
- Distance
- 7.3km
- Time
- 5hr return
- Grade
- Moderate
Hidden Lake, Oteake Conservation Park
Tucked in the high bare hills south of Omarama, where northern Otago butts up against southern Canterbury, is a sparkling alpine lake. Sitting at 1550m amid the tawny landscape,…
- Distance
- 14km
- Time
- 3-4hr to lake
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Beech Hut, Eyre Mountains/Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park
With Fiordland National Park to the west and Aspiring National Park to the north, the Eyre Mountains are a rarely-visited gem. While the park lacks the spectacular grandeur of its…
- Distance
- 15km
- Time
- 4hr to Beech Hut
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Earnslaw Burn Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Featuring an icefall tumbling 2000m down a rock face and feeding a multitude of waterfalls, the Earnslaw Burn is one of the most spectacular valleys in the country. Best…
- Distance
- 11.7km
- Time
- 5hr each way
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Buster Hut, Oteake Conservation Park
Climbing into the dry Central Otago high country to one of New Zealand’s highest gold mines, this loop track offers excellent scenery and fascinating history. From the Mt Buster…
- Distance
- 13.2km
- Time
- 3hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Millennium Walkway, Arrowtown
The Arrowtown Millennium Walkway was built in 1998 to mark 150 years since Europeans settled in Otago. The walkway is hugely popular, but don’t let that be a deterrent,…
- Distance
- 3.25km
- Time
- 1hr return
- Grade
- Easy
Camp Flat, Blue Valley Track, Mt Aspiring National Park
Branching off one of the busiest sites in Haast Pass, the Blue Valley Track is a comforting reminder of how you can still find a track to yourself, even…
- Distance
- 3km
- Time
- 90min to Camp Flat
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Brewster Hut, Mt Aspiring National Park
A firm favourite The route to Brewster Hut requires an immediate crossing of the Haast River, a trickle in low flow. The marked track on the opposite bank then begins…
- Distance
- 2.7km
- Time
- Car park to Brewster Hut, 2–4hr; Hut to Mt Armstrong, 2-3hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Lake Wanaka Lookout Track, Diamond Lake Conservation Area
It might be a cliché to call Diamond Lake a jewel in the crown, but if you’re looking for a short stroll to a hidden treasure, then this lake…
- Distance
- 6km
- Time
- Car park to viewpoint, 1hr return; including Wanaka Lookout Track, 3hr return
- Grade
- Easy
Serpentine Range traverse, Mt Aspiring National Park
The southern flanks of the Serpentine Range, which traverses Mt Aspiring and Fiordland national parks, include the incredible Lake Wilson and can be reached from the Routeburn Track. Head…
- Distance
- 38.8km
- Time
- 3-4 days
- Grade
- Difficult
Mt Alaska, Whakaari Conservation Area
Take the high road Whakaari Conservation Area may be a relatively new reserve, but it’s an area with plenty of history. It was a hub of scheelite mining (calcium…
- Distance
- 10km to summit
- Time
- 8-10hr return
- Grade
- Moderate
Mt Gladwish via Top Dingle Hut, Hawea Conservation Park
The Dingleburn Route from Ahuriri Base Hut is well marked and leads steeply to a ridgeline that forms an outlier to the Huxley Range. At the 1450m ridgeline, follow…
- Distance
- 18.3km
- Time
- Ahuriri Base Hut to Top Dingle Hut, 3hr; Top Dingle Hut to Mt Gladwish, 4-5hr; Mt Gladwish to Ahuriri Base Hut via Birchwood, 4-5hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Carricktown Track, Otago
Downhill from NZ’s highest road With a dry, sunny and reliable climate, a dramatic landscape, and widespread evidence of a romantic gold-rush past, Central Otago offers unique opportunities for…
- Distance
- 12.7km
- Time
- Duffers Saddle to Quartzville (with Royal Australian Mine side-trip) 4-5hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Kerin Forks Hut, Mt Aspiring National Park
Conquering the Wilkin Valley With an overseas friend on the verge of returning to Europe, I resolved to give him one final epic adventure. We settled on a walk up…
- Distance
- 14.3km
- Time
- 3.5-4hr to hut
- Grade
- Moderate
Mt Larkins, Whakaari Conservation Area
For a demanding overnight hike with some decent altitude near Queenstown, look no further than Mt Larkins. The magic of this summit is not only in its 2300m height…
- Distance
- 12.1km
- Time
- Car park to Heather Jock Hut, 3-4hr; Heather Jock Hut to Mt Larkins, 8hr return
- Grade
- Moderate
Mt Crichton, Mt Crichton Scenic Reserve
Along the knife’s edge YOU DON’T HAVE to drive far to find the wilderness beyond the high street and Queenstown’s tourism hustle and bustle. Just 12km west of Queenstown…
- Distance
- 13.8km
- Time
- 8-10hr
- Grade
- Difficult
Five Passes, Mt Aspiring National Park
The five Passes is a classic backcountry loop trip which includes the crossing of Sugarloaf Pass, Park Pass, Cow Saddle, Fiery Col and Fohn Saddle. This route is mostly…
- Distance
- 54.9km (approx)
- Time
- 5-6 days in good weather
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Scott Creek to Caples Valley, Greenstone and Caples Conservation Area
To test your navigation skills beyond marked tracks and routes, head out on the Scott Creek to Kay Creek crossing between the Routeburn and Caples valleys. Even though the…
- Distance
- 32km
- Time
- Car park to Scott Creek forks, 3-4hr; Forks to head of Death Valley, 5-6hr; Death Valley to Caples Hut 8.5hr; Caples Hut to Greenstone Track car park, 3hr;
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Wye Creek Basin, The Remarkables Conservation Area
The upper Wye Creek basin is the perfect destination for a camping trip. Camping on high alpine terrain usually requires a gruelling approach. The Remarkables access road spares the…
- Distance
- 4.18km
- Time
- 3-4hr return
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Valley of the Trolls, Mt Aspiring National Park
For those looking for a special side trip off the Routeburn Track that offers a pristine environment and an uncrowded location a world away from the busy Great Walk,…
- Distance
- 14km to Lake Wilson
- Time
- 8-10hr return from Routeburn Shelter Road End
- Grade
- Moderate
Gillespie Pass Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park
A jet boat journey saves a potentially awkward crossing of the Makarora River and will leave you at the confluence of the Makarora and Young rivers. The Young Valley…
- Distance
- 58km
- Time
- 3-4 days
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Ballarat Hut
A solid day’s walk to the goldfields, up from the old homestead at Skippers Creek, travelling through the gorge, pushing through giant stands of beautifully weedy lupins in shades…
- Distance
- 32km
- Time
- 15hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Fern Burn Hut, Motatapu Station
An overnight trip from Wanaka to the 12-bunk Fern Burn Hut offers a slice of this Otago high country station. The walk in is easy going as the gradient…
- Distance
- 6.36km one way
- Time
- 2.5-3hr each way
- Grade
- Easy