Looking for a new challenge this year (or for the remainder of your life)? How about bagging as many of these trips as possible
Welcome to the inaugural Wilderness 100 – an annual list of the best trips in the country.
As you’d expect with such a list, we’ve applied careful thought and discussion, and consulted experts, as to which tracks, huts and peaks should be featured. But no doubt we’ve overlooked some fantastic trips, so please get in touch if you reckon you know a better trip to include in future Wilderness 100s because next year we’ll be doing it all over again.
This year’s Wilderness 100 will take you from Cape Reinga to southern Rakiura, zig zagging from coast to coast. If you want to see the country, this is the template by which all epic road trips should be based.
We’ve organised the geographically, so you can easily find a particular trip.
So, without further ado, it’s time to start planning your lifetime of outdoor trips.
The Aotea Track on Great Barrier Island is often ignored by Aucklanders. Photo: Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography
The top of the Wairere Falls offer a breathtaking view over the Waikato. Photo: Andrew Ogilvie
Camping on the Summit Plateau is an unforgettable experience. Photo: Alistair Hall
Trampers descend from Junction Top, en route to Waipakihi Hut. Photo: Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography
A grand view from the summit of Taranaki. Photo: Eric Lie
Maungahuka Hut, Tararua FP. Photo: Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is perfect. Photo: Matthew Cattin
The Southern Alps reflected in Lake Matheson’s calm waters. Photo: Matthew Cattin
Bealey Spur Hut (built 1925). Photo: Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography
Trampers by Anne River, St James Walkway. Photo: Tomas Sobek
Climbing above French Ridge Hut. Photo: Geoff Marks
Hiking the Ben Lomond Track in Queenstown. Photo: Selena Wright
Lake Marian. Photo: Maxim Ovcharek/Flickr
tramping in Stewart Island is often wet – but its also glorious. Photo: Alistair Hall