Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Walking New Zealand

Popular Wanaka track reopened The popular Blue Pools track, near Wānaka, reopened in June 2025, after a two -year closure for renovations, and the Lake Sylvan track near Glenorchy reopened in October, with a new bridge, providing safe access to this family-friendly scenic hike. Permits open for Inca Trail Trekking The Peruvian authorities have released the official schedule for 2026 Inca Trail trekking permits, with bookings opening from late this month. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are in high demand, particularly for the popular trekking months of May to August. Inca Trail permits are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be pre-reserved or modified once confirmed. January 2026 opens 28 October 2025; March 2026 opens 29 November 2025; April 2026 opens 30 December 2025; May 2026 opens 31…

“Top of the South” is a term used to refer to that part of our South Island north of Lewis Pass, stretching from Kahurangi Point in the west to Cape Campbell in the east. It encompasses the regions of Marlborough, Hurunui, Nelson, Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. Within this broad expanse there are three national parks: Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes, and Kahurangi. In addition you have the Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura Ranges, and Mt. Richmond Forest Park. The wonderful walks in this huge area would take several books to fully describe, let alone several months to traverse. The Footsteps day-walk excursions scheduled for March 2026 are therefore simply samplers, enabling participants to taste the very best walks on offer. Marvellous Marlborough (15-21 March) is quickly followed by Noteivorthy Nelson with Gob-smacking…

On a calm morning, the kind that feels half-asleep and silvered with sea haze, I roll my bike off the ferry at Devonport and breathe in the first lungful of salt air. There’s something different about starting a journey by water, it puts you in the right rhythm before you’ve even begun. Devonport always feels like a place that moves slowly, even as the city hums across the harbour. King Edward Parade lies quiet except for joggers tracing the edge of the sea and the lazy dipping of gulls. The road smells faintly of coffee and wet asphalt. I push off, letting the bike wheels turn over softly, the sound of the chain folding cleanly into motion. The path hugs the coast, the tide pulling gently against the sand as…

The Coach Stream Route near Christchurch is a moderately challenging tramping and mountain biking track in the Korowai-Torlesse Tussock lands Park, often linked with Trig M summit walks. The trail offers beautiful beech forest, expansive alpine tussock, and panoramic views The Coach Stream Route is approximately 10.2 km one way, typically taking three to four hours to complete, depending on fitness and weather. The track is well-posted and usually follows an old coach road that winds up through open tussock lands and beech forest. It’s considered moderate in difficulty (Grade 3 intermediate for mountain bikers), suitable for reasonably fit walkers who have some experience and are well-equipped for changeable alpine conditions The initial section follows an easement through private farmland, after which you enter conservation land. Walking the Coach Stream…

The ferry pulled away from Queen’s Wharf on a calm Wellington morning, cutting a silver path across the harbour toward the green hills of Eastbourne. It’s hard to imagine that just half an hour from the bustle of the capital lies a pocket of quiet native forest, where kererū flap heavily through the treetops and the only sound is the crunch of your boots on leaf litter. My goal for the day was the Kererū Track, a short but steady climb from Days Bay up into East Harbour Regional Park, offering one of the best “bush to ridge” walks within easy reach of Wellington. Starting the walk at Days Bay Days Bay itself is a gem having a crescent of sand, pōhutukawa trees, cafés, and the historic Williams Park. From…

Sometimes it’s the tucked-away adventures that make the most memorable outings—peering at eels in murky streams, craning necks at trees scarred by old storms, or strolling down fern-fringed tracks. Here are five low-key adventures in and around Hamilton for the family. Tamahere Reserve | Tamahere For 30 years, the Tamahare Reserve rare remnant of lowland kahikatea swamp forest near Hamilton, had become a neglected wasteland rife with pest plants and animals. Yet since 2012, Leo Koppens and numerous volunteers have been transforming the gully to its former glory. Negotiate the steep path shaded by pine trees into the reserve. Long boardwalks and well-graded dirt paths wind past exotic trees providing cover for regenerating mamaku, māhoe, carex grasses and ponga. Some stands of trees are more than 400 years old. Viewing…

Hanmer Springs is one of New Zealand’s most popular alpine destinations, offering a unique blend of outdoor adventure, hot pools along with an excellent range of food and accommodation. With its rich history, impressive alpine landscapes, and four-season appeal make it a popular weekend destination, being only 90 minutes north of Christchurch. Hanmer Forest Park has a wide variety of activities and an excellent variety of walking tracks. The forest park covers just over 16,000 ha and is bound by the Hanmer Range in the (west and north) Hanmer River and Amuri Range (east) and Hanmer Plains to the south. With its alpine setting, Hanmer Springs is best visited during the late spring, summer, and autumn months for walking. Today’s walk will take us up to the Dog Stream Waterfall.…

Walk the Five Comers of the Chathams - wild, windswept, and wonderfully remote. From the rugged Wild West to the Sunshine Coast - the very first place to see the sunrise in the world - every step offers breath taking views and a sense of discovery. The next stop south from here? The Antarctic. Gather a group of friends and enjoy the comfort of Hotel Chathams, indulging in fresh local seafood and daily guided walks (three to five hours each day). Be inspired by local guides who bring to life the island’s rich history, geology, and stories. Your journey also includes a Pitt Island day trip, adding another unforgettable walk in this truly unique corner of the world. The Chatham Islands are 800kms east of Christchurch New Zealand. Contact chathamislandtours@gmail.com…

The opening of the new Dallington Bridge was celebrated in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (OARC) in September. A ceremony was held to mark the opening of the bridge, which is the fourth and final walking and cycling bridge to be constructed as part of the Corridor’s Regeneration Plan. The opening was attended by mana whenua, elected members, community groups, and the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust (CEAT), who provided the funding for the bridge. The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust was an independent charity established to administer public donations raised by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. The new bridge is based on concepts created by engineering and fine arts students from the University of Canterbury. Its design is inspired by Mōkihi, a small canoe-type vessel fashioned from raupō and flax. These were…

Our tramping group had kept an eye on the weather all week in August as we were going to walk the Old Coach Stream Track which was a 85 km drive to from Christchurch. The weather report was good for Sunday so we headed to our destination. When we arrived at the car park we put on jackets, hats and gloves as the wind was very bitter but we all knew that we would soon warm up as we would be slowly climbing up the track. The scenery around was just beautiful with snow on the tops of the mountains which looked quite close to us all. We started climbing and eventually after warming up we stopped to take a layer off and to catch our breath while looking at…

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 Ahuahu 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 head towards the…