New Zealand’s Great Walks are more than just trails; they are life-list journeys through some of the most spectacular and pristine wilderness on Earth. They are the pinnacle of the Kiwi hiking experience, offering world-class trails and breathtaking scenery. Learn about New Zealand great walks.
But with ten unique multi-day hikes spread across the country, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. Should you tackle the world-famous fiords of the Milford Track or the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro? The golden beaches of Abel Tasman or the alpine passes of the Routeburn?
Picking the wrong walk for your fitness level or scenery preference can turn a dream trip into a gruelling ordeal. Fear not. This guide will break down four of the most popular Great Walks, comparing them side-by-side to help you find the adventure that’s perfect for you
How We’re Comparing Them
We’ll judge each walk on five key criteria:
- The Scenery: What are the main visual highlights?
- Difficulty: How fit do you need to be?
- Length: How many days and kilometres will you be walking?
- Booking Demand: How hard is it to get a spot?
- Best For: A quick summary of who will love this walk most.
1. The Milford Track: “The Finest Walk in the World”
The legend. This is New Zealand’s most famous hike, a journey through the heart of Fiordland National Park, culminating in the breathtaking Milford Sound.
- The Scenery: Unparalleled. You’ll see temperate rainforest, pristine rivers, immense glacier-carved valleys, and the Sutherland Falls, one of New Zealand’s tallest. The landscape is dramatic, moody, and magnificent.
- Difficulty: Moderate. The track itself is well-graded, but you will tackle one major alpine pass (Mackinnon Pass). The biggest challenge can be the weather – be prepared for heavy rain at any time of year.
- Length: 4 days, 53.5 km.
- Booking Demand: Extreme. This is the hardest ticket in town. Bookings for the entire season often sell out within the first 10 minutes of opening on the DOC website (usually in June).
- Best For: The traditionalist who wants to experience the most iconic NZ hike and has the planning skills to book it the moment it goes live.
2. The Abel Tasman Coast Track: Sun, Sand, and Sea
A world away from the alpine drama of the South, the Abel Tasman is a golden-hued coastal paradise. It’s as much a beach holiday as it is a hike.
- The Scenery: Postcard-perfect. Expect golden sand beaches, turquoise water, lush coastal forest, and opportunities to spot seals and dolphins.
- Difficulty: Easy. The track has very little elevation gain, making it accessible for most fitness levels and families. The main challenge is timing your walks around tidal crossings on certain sections.
- Length: 3-5 days, 60 km. It’s highly flexible; you can use water taxis to walk just a section as a day trip.
- Booking Demand: Very High. While not as frantic as the Milford, the campsites and huts on this popular track fill up extremely quickly, especially for the peak summer months.
- Best For: Beginners, families, and anyone who prefers sunshine and sea views over mountains and suffering.
3. The Routeburn Track: Alpine Majesty
If the Milford is about deep valleys, the Routeburn is about soaring peaks. This track traverses two National Parks (Fiordland and Mount Aspiring), offering breathtaking alpine views.
- The Scenery: Spectacular alpine vistas. You’ll walk alongside crystal-clear rivers, past shimmering lakes, and over a high alpine pass that gives you a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. It’s arguably more consistently scenic than the Milford.
- Difficulty: Moderate. Similar to the Milford, it involves one major alpine pass. The track is well-maintained, but you need a good head for heights on some sections.
- Length: 3 days, 32 km.
- Booking Demand: Extreme. It’s right up there with the Milford. The Routeburn is a very popular alternative and bookings disappear almost instantly.
- Best For: Hikers who want non-stop, jaw-dropping mountain scenery and a slightly shorter, more challenging alternative to the Milford Track.
4. The Tongariro Northern Circuit: A Walk Through Mordor
The North Island’s premier Great Walk. This is a loop track that circumnavigates the active volcano, Mount Ngauruhoe (aka Mount Doom), offering otherworldly volcanic landscapes.
- The Scenery: Unique and dramatic. You’ll see emerald-coloured lakes, volcanic craters, old lava flows, and starkly beautiful alpine deserts. It feels like walking on another planet.
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging. This is a true mountain environment. You’ll face exposed alpine sections and potentially volatile weather. A good level of fitness and experience is required.
- Length: 3-4 days, 43.1 km.
- Booking Demand: High. As the most famous North Island walk, it books out very quickly, especially as it incorporates part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing day hike.
- Best For: Fans of dramatic, volcanic landscapes and anyone looking for a truly unique hiking experience that’s different from the South Island’s forest and fiords.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Walk Name | Location | Scenery Type | Days | Distance | Difficulty | Booking Demand |
| Milford Track | Fiordland | Fiords, Rainforest, Valleys | 4 | 53.5 km | Moderate | Extreme |
| Abel Tasman | Nelson/Tasman | Coastal, Beaches, Forest | 3-5 | 60 km | Easy | Very High |
| Routeburn Track | Fiordland/Mt Aspiring | Alpine, Mountains, Lakes | 3 | 32 km | Moderate | Extreme |
| Tongariro Circuit | Central North Island | Volcanic, Lakes, Craters | 3-4 | 43.1 km | Moderate-Challenging | High |
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A Note on Booking
The Department of Conservation (DOC) Great Walks booking system typically opens in June for the following summer season (October to April). For the Milford and Routeburn tracks, you must be online the minute bookings open, credit card in hand. There is no exaggeration – they sell out in minutes.
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