New Zealand tramping tracks
Encyclopedia
In New Zealand
, long distance walking
or hiking
for at least one overnight stay is known as tramping. There are a number of walkways in New Zealand, however most of these are relatively short and can be walked in a day or less. Many are also an easy walk, with well formed footpaths. However, some tracks require an overnight stay either because of the rugged country or the length of the track.
New Zealand has both public and private tramping tracks. Public tracks are managed by the Department of Conservation, Regional Councils or other authorities. They generally cross public land (including National Parks), or private land with negotiated public access. Access is free and in most cases unrestricted, although fees are payable for overnight stays in huts or camping.
Private tracks cross private land, with restricted fee-based access. Itineraries are generally fixed. Fees may cover things such as overnight accommodation, food and pack transportation.
(GW).
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, long distance walking
Walking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
or hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
for at least one overnight stay is known as tramping. There are a number of walkways in New Zealand, however most of these are relatively short and can be walked in a day or less. Many are also an easy walk, with well formed footpaths. However, some tracks require an overnight stay either because of the rugged country or the length of the track.
New Zealand has both public and private tramping tracks. Public tracks are managed by the Department of Conservation, Regional Councils or other authorities. They generally cross public land (including National Parks), or private land with negotiated public access. Access is free and in most cases unrestricted, although fees are payable for overnight stays in huts or camping.
Private tracks cross private land, with restricted fee-based access. Itineraries are generally fixed. Fees may cover things such as overnight accommodation, food and pack transportation.
Notable tramping tracks
Some on the tramping tracks have acquired names and with the most popular being the Great WalksNew Zealand Great Walks
The New Zealand Great Walks are a set of popular tramping tracks. They are New Zealand's premier tracks, through areas of some of the best scenery in the country...
(GW).
North Island
- The Lake Waikaremoana Great WalkLake Waikaremoana Great WalkThe Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 43 kilometre tramping track which follows the southern and western coast of Lake Waikaremoana in the North Island of New Zealand. Passing through several types of forest, and grassland, track often provides excellent views over the lake...
, around Lake WaikaremoanaLake WaikaremoanaLake Waikaremoana is located in Te Urewera National Park in the North Island of New Zealand, 60 kilometres northwest of Wairoa and 80 kilometres southwest of Gisborne. It covers an area of 54 km². From the Maori Waikaremoana translates as 'sea of rippling waters'The lake lies in the heart of Tuhoe...
in Te Urewera National ParkTe Urewera National ParkTe Urewera National Park is one of fourteen national parks within New Zealand and is the largest of the four in the North Island. Covering an area of approximately 2,127 km², it is in the north east of the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island.... - The Pinnacles on Coromandel PeninsulaCoromandel PeninsulaThe Coromandel Peninsula lies in the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Waikato Region and Thames-Coromandel District and extends 85 kilometres north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier to protect the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west...
- Ruapehu Circuit
- Southern CrossingSouthern CrossingThe Southern Crossing is the name of a tramping track in New Zealand's Tararua Range. The track is approximately 32 kilometres long and typically takes between 2–3 days to complete...
in the Tararua RangeTararua RangeThe Tararua Range is one of several mountain ranges in the North Island of New Zealand which form a ridge running parallel with the east coast of the island between East Cape and Wellington.... - Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Tongariro Northern CircuitTongariro Northern CircuitThe Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the New Zealand Great Walks, is a three to four day tramp in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. Part of it is the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a day's march that incorporates the Northern Circuit's most stunning scenery. The complete trail forms a 50...
(GW) - Te Araroa TrailTe Araroa TrailTe Araroa is New Zealand's newest long distance tramping route, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. It is being built by the Te Araroa Trust and is opening on 3 December 2011....
(to be completed 2011) - Whanganui JourneyWhanganui JourneyThe Whanganui Journey is a river journey along the Whanganui River in the North Island of New Zealand travelling by canoe or kayak. The route, starting at Taumarunui and finishing at Pipiriki, is 145 km long and usually takes 5 days to complete...
(GW)
South Island
- Abel Tasman Coast TrackAbel Tasman Coast TrackThe Abel Tasman Coast Track is a 51km long New Zealand walking track within the Abel Tasman National Park. It extends from Marahau in the south to Wainui in the north, with many optional side tracks...
(GW) and Abel Tasman Inland TrackAbel Tasman Inland TrackThe Abel Tasman Inland Track is a 38 km tramping track that runs through the centre of the Abel Tasman National Park and is maintained by the Department of Conservation. It diverts from the main Abel Tasman Coast Track between Tinline Bay and Torrent Bay...
in Abel Tasman National ParkAbel Tasman National ParkAbel Tasman National Park is a national park located at the north end of the South Island of New Zealand. The park was founded in 1942, largely through the efforts of ornithologist and author Perrine Moncrieff to have land reserved for the purpose. With a coverage of only 225.3 square kilometres,... - Banks Peninsula TrackBanks Peninsula TrackThe Banks Peninsula Track is a 35 kilometre tramping track on the Banks Peninsula on the South Island of New Zealand in the Canterbury region. The track opened in 1989 as the first privately managed track in New Zealand.-Tramping:...
(private) - Copland Track
- Dusky Track
- Greenstone Track
- Heaphy TrackHeaphy TrackThe Heaphy Track is a popular tramping track in the north west of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located within the Kahurangi National Park and classified as one of New Zealand's nine Great Walks by the Department of Conservation. Named after Charles Heaphy, the track is 82 km long and...
(GW) - Hollyford TrackHollyford TrackThe Hollyford Track is a tramping track in New Zealand. Located at the northern edge of Fiordland, in the southwestern South Island, it is unusual among Fiordland's major tracks in that it is largely flat and accessible year-round...
- Hump Ridge TrackHump Ridge TrackThe Hump Ridge Track is located in the south east of Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand.Link to The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is 53 km, based in Waitutu Forest . The closest town is Tuatapere, although people often stay in Te Anau and opt to drive south the morning of...
- Kaikoura Coast Track (private)
- Kaikoura Wilderness Walk (private)
- Kepler TrackKepler TrackThe Kepler Track is a circular tramping track which travels through some of the spectacular scenery on the South Island of New Zealand. The track passes through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park ranging from rocky mountain ridges to tall mossy forests, from lake shores to deep gorges....
(GW) - Milford TrackMilford TrackThe Milford Track is a widely known tramping route in New Zealand – located amidst mountains and temperate rain forest in Fiordland National Park in the southwest of the South Island....
(GW) - Mingha-Deception
- Otago Central Rail TrailOtago Central Rail TrailThe Otago Central Rail Trail is a 150-kilometre walking, cycling and horse riding track in the South Island of New Zealand. It runs in an arc between Middlemarch and Clyde, along the route of the former Otago Central Railway...
- Queen Charlotte Track
- Rees-Dart Track
- Routeburn TrackRouteburn TrackThe Routeburn Track is a world-renowned tramping track found in the South Island of New Zealand. The track is usually completed by starting on the Queenstown side of the Southern Alps, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, and finishing on the Te Anau side, at the Divide, several kilometres from...
(GW) - St James WalkwaySt James WalkwayThe St James Walkway is a sub-alpine tramping track located in the Lewis Pass area of the South Island of New Zealand. It is administered by the Department of Conservation.Part of the track passes through the former St James Station.- Further reading :...
- Travers-Sabine CircuitTravers-Sabine CircuitThe Travers-Sabine Circuit is a popular tramping route in Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand. The full circuit takes about five to six days, although many side-trips are possible for longer tramps....
- Waitutu Track
- Wangapeka Track
- Te Araroa TrailTe Araroa TrailTe Araroa is New Zealand's newest long distance tramping route, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. It is being built by the Te Araroa Trust and is opening on 3 December 2011....
(to be completed 2011)
External links
- Department of Conservation - Government department responsible for managing public land.
- New Zealand Tramper - tramping related information.