Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2024 i Walking New Zealand

European self-guided walk operator, On Foot Holidays, has launched a week-long hiking route in the Cilento National Park in Campania south of Rome. Available in April, May, June, September and October, the trip covers eight to 23km per day and is graded medium effort, with luggage transferred between hotels each day. It starts in the harbour town of Agropoli and traces the coastline before climbing into the mountains with views over the Amalfi Coast and Capri. The trail visits the medieval hamlet of Castellabate, and also the mountain villages of Lustra, Castigliano and Rocca Cilento. The walk includes B&B and inn accommodation, daily breakfasts, three dinners, all luggage transfers between hotels, and the On Foot app for navigation and all holiday information. The holiday costs from A$2,218 perperson twin-share (depending…

Discover the West Coast's wild side and amazing landscapes. Nowhere on New Zealand's West Coast is ever far from mountains, lakes, forests, beaches and fascinating landforms (usually all at once). No matter what part of the Coast you make your way to, there is a choice of easy, short walks leading to a journey of natural discovery. Short walks can be anything from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. Easy means well-formed trails suitable for all the family, and anyone with low to moderate fitness. 1. Ōpārara Arches walkway – Kahurangi National Park Tucked away on the western edge of Kahurangi National Park, the landscape surrounding the Ōpārara Arches is a unique mix of luxuriant, subtropical rainforest, remarkable limestone formations and diverse ecosystems not found anywhere else in New…

New Zealand Walk If you're looking for a cool walk on a hot summer day, the walk into Hurunui Hut in the lower Kaimais, is a lovely option. There are several routes into this little Hunters hut. The easiest two, are to follow the well marked North South Track from the summit of SH 29, or start from Old Kaimai Road for an even easier option. We chose to do the easiest. Parking at a DOC sign, we followed orange markers down over farmland for a short distance to reach Raparoa Stream, where we met our first challenge – a slippery rock shelf above a waterfall to negotiate. This is no trouble in dry weather, but can be a challenge after heavy rain. Continuing up along a fence line we…

Feel the warm embrace of the sun, smell the salt on a sea breeze, hear bird song or see glow worms light up a cave – walking in Queensland is a feast for the senses. You don't need to trek for days, either (although we've got you covered here if that's your thing). You're only a short walk away from exploring a lake in a volcanic crater, feeling the mist from a towering waterfall or spotting humpback whales frolicking in the surf. So put on your walking shoes and read on for our guide to some of Queensland's best short walks in under two hours. (These walks are mostly Grade 1 (easy) or Grade 2 (moderate). Grade 1 walks are less than 5 km and suitable for assisted wheelchair users.…

Central Otago, or just Central to locals, is New Zealand's frontier land. It is famous for its wide open spaces with rolling hills of golden tussock grass, its arid alpine plateaux dotted with rocky tors, its gold mining and rural history, its stunning autumn colours, its extremes of temperature and its endlessly shifting moods. The topography is a lot less defined than the Southern Alps to the west, but Central Otago has a stark and barren aesthetic of its own, usually beneath a sky of relentless, changeless blue. The vacant landscape may look blankly irresponsive, but appearances can be deceiving. It is actually teeming with life, including Grand and Otago skinks, two of New Zealand's rarest and most distinctive, growing as long as 300mm. Being away from the popular centres…

Walk talk A new trekking trip is being launched in April 2025 through the Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan as the area continues to see a growing number of tourists. Adventure travel company, Untamed Borders is leading the 15-day adventure along the newly formed Zagros Mountain Trail. The 215km route is the latest attraction in the area's expanding tourism offer. The Kurdish north of the country enjoys relative stability and has a diverse number of attractions for visitors. The new trekking trail connects remote communities, using ancient pilgrimage.…

New Zealand Walk The Mercer Bay Loop Track starts high up above Piha and takes you to Te Ahua headland, the site of an important Māori pā (fortified village), with great views up and down the west coast. Start at the end of Te Ahua Road, at the site of a former radio station. Take the time to look at the many interpretive signs here. This used to be an outpost of some significance. The track works best in a clockwise direction, so start at the track entrance at the southern side of the car park. Follow the instructions at cleaning stations to protect the kauri trees in the Waitākere Ranges. The first section of the track leads down through low regenerating forest. At the track junction, keep right and…

New Zealand Walks Gabriel's Gully, nestled near Lawrence in the heart of Otago, New Zealand, is a place where history and nature intertwine. For many, it is a destination that offers not only a walk through beautiful landscapes but also a journey back to the days of the Otago gold rush. Walking through Gabriel's Gully is to tread the paths once crowded with fortune-seekers, and now frequented by history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and adventurers. In this article, we will delve into the rich history of Gabriel's Gully, explore what makes it a special destination for walking enthusiasts, and highlight the fascinating natural and historical sights you can see along the way. Brief History Gabriel's Gully takes its name from Gabriel Read, the man who sparked one of New Zealand's most…

Earlier this year, I explored the Bexley Wetlands loop here in Otautahi / Christchurch as featured in the May edition of Walking NZ Magazine. Today I am back to walk the southern part of this very popular track, the Estuary Edge Walk, where the Avon River meets the sea. The walk will take about two hours to cover the 10km on a multiuse pathway and has the option to return along the beach. You can start the walk at multiple points to either increase or decrease the distance as needed, depending on the time you have or if you only want to complete a smaller section of this walk. It is always enjoyable to start and finish a walk at a local cafe and today I have started my walk…

Another section of Christchurch's South Express Cycleway has been completed creating an uninterrupted 10km route from the city to Hornby. Construction along the length of Kyle Park on Waterloo Road was expected to take three months but was completed two weeks ahead of schedule, finishing up earlier this month. “The work means cyclists can now ride from South Hagley Park in the central city out to the Council's newest pools and library at Matatiki Hornby Centre, passing several schools and destination spots along the way,” says Manager Planning and Delivery Transport Jacob Bradbury. “There are now three stages of work left to complete before the cycleway will be finished, all of which we are working on and progressing.” The first involves extending the cycleway further west down Waterloo Road from…

New Zealand Trail New Zealand is known for its breathtaking landscapes and incredible walking trails, but few experiences are as historically rich and scenically captivating as the Rimutaka Rail Trail. Located just a short distance from Wellington, the trail meanders through the Rimutaka Ranges, linking the Hutt Valley to the Wairarapa. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, this track offers an unforgettable journey through history, nature, and unique engineering feats. A Glimpse into History The Rimutaka Rail Trail is more than just a scenic walk—it's a living history lesson. Originally constructed in the late 19th century as part of the Wellington to Wairarapa railway line, the track was designed to provide a direct route for transporting goods and passengers between the two regions. The Rimutaka Incline, a…

New Zealand Walk The Piriharakeke Walkway, a scenic trail stretching approximately 4 kilometers from Foxton town to the iconic trestle bridge, offers not just a pleasant outdoor experience but also a rich historical experience. Nestled in the Horowhenua district, this pathway invites walkers, runners, and nature enthusiasts to traverse a landscape imbued with Māori cultural significance and colonial history. The relatively short distance of 4 kilometers makes it accessible for people of various fitness levels, yet the experience leaves a lasting impression thanks to the beauty of the natural environment and the historical landmarks that dot the route. The Piriharakeke Walkway takes its name from Piriharakeke, a Māori term that refers to the flax plants (harakeke) once prevalent in the region. Flax was a vital natural resource for Māori, used…

Rangitoto Island, a volcanic icon in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, offers one of the most scenic and historically rich hikes in New Zealand. Just a short ferry ride from Auckland's city center, Rangitoto stands proudly, beckoning adventurers with its unique landscape, stunning views, and intriguing past. The walk up Rangitoto Island to the summit is an accessible yet moderately challenging trek that winds through volcanic terrain and native bush, all the way to the island's summit. The well-maintained track, starting near the ferry drop-off point, takes around an hour to an hour and a half one way, depending on pace. With its gradual incline, the trail is suitable for all fitness levels, though sturdy footwear is recommended due to the rugged lava rock that dominates the landscape. As you begin your…