Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i Walking New Zealand

For walkers keen to explore New Caledonia beyond the beach, Toutazimut Eco tours offers guided hikes through Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue - an hour from Nouméa. The seven-hour adventures blend scenic walking trails, freshwater swims, and a traditional French picnic by the river, all led by bilingual guides. Nature lovers may even spot the elusive Cagou, New Caledonia's flightless bird. ‘This soft-adventure day trip is a great add-on to any itinerary for active travellers looking to connect with the natural heart of the destination,’ says Flight Centre's Rowena McCarron. ‘With convenient pick-up in Nouméa and small-group options, Toutazimut makes it easy to showcase the wild, authentic side of New Caledonia.’…

Dwellingup's growing reputation as a Trail Town has received a significant boost with the opening of Stage 2 of the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trail network. With Stage 2 now complete, visitors to the region can now explore a world-class 68km trail. Just over an hour from Perth, Dwellingup is known for its towering forests, winding rivers and array of wildlife, providing the perfect surroundings for hiking, mountain biking, camping, and canoeing. Its varied natural attractions include Lane Poole Reserve, a section of the famous Bibbulmun Track and the picturesque Murray River. Correction The December issue number 333 cover shows walkers at “Dimrill Dale”, a Lord of the Rings film location on Mount Owen in Kahurangi National Park, not Walkers on their way to Mt Taranaki.…

The Dolomites rise from northern Italy like a fantasy landscape — pale limestone towers that glow pink at sunrise and burn crimson at sunset. These UNESCO World Heritage mountains offer some of Europe's most dramatic alpine scenery, combined with Italian warmth, excellent cuisine and a huge range of trails The massif comprises dolomite rock, named after French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu, who first identified the unique calcium-magnesium carbonate mineral in 1791. The truly astonishing fact is that you're hiking through ancient coral reefs that thrived in a warm, shallow sea during the Triassic Period, roughly 250 to 200 million years ago. Around 65 million years ago, Africa began to collide with Europe, pushing these ancient seabeds upward. The Alps and the Dolomites were thrust skyward. The dolomite rock proved more…

If you have a couple of spare days in the Marlborough area, consider walking in to Nydia Bay on Pelorus Sound. Pelorus (Te Hoiere) is a maze of bays, inlets and coves stretching from Havelock to D'Urville Island. The trail passes through lush coastal bush and re-generating forest, climbs two saddles, and crosses farmland. There are lots of stream crossings and an un-bridged river crossing. Not only is the area incredibly beautiful, and tranquil, with the most amazing bird song, but it also has a very interesting history. The 27km track, initially carved through by loggers in the 1870's is accessed from either Shag Point at Kaiumu Bay, half an hour from Havelock, or Duncan Bay on Tennyson Inlet, over an hour drive away. The Nydia is a two day…

Ireland's greenways offer a safe and sustainable way to experience the island's scenery and historical and cultural sites by foot, or on pedal bike or ebike. At the recent European Greenways Awards which promotes examples of best practice, Ireland's Great Western Greenway won a special green award for its holistic approach to sustainability, community engagement and environmental stewardship. The jury praised the route's environmental innovation such as solar- powered compactor bins, electric bike charging stations and public furniture made from reused wind turbine blades. The 49km greenway in County Mayo on the Wild Atlantic Way follows the disused Westport to Achill railway line. One of the island's newest greenways, Limerick Greenway took third prize in the excellence category. It also follows an old railway line, this one running 40km from…

Whether it's a weekend visit or a quick pit-stop while passing through the central plateau on State Highway One, Taupō is a worthy detour to stretch the legs and soak up some nature. Here are eight walks from a few minutes to half a day that are well worth ticking off this summer. Aratiatia Rapids SH5 Rotorua-Taupō Highway Watch a middling stream transform into a thundering river surging through a narrow volcanic gorge when the Aratiatia dam gates open at scheduled times during the day. The turquoise waters of the Aratiatia Rapids rise rapidly, before falling 28 metres over one kilometre—it's well worth the visit. Linger for the reverse show as the water drains away. View from the bridge, or walk to the signposted clifftop lookouts. Need to know: Suitable…

All of us like to think, that in an emergency, we'll know how to act. That if we're lost in the back country, we'll make the right choices. We've seen Man Vs Wild, we did orienteering, we're survivalists. We tell ourselves we're good under pressure. We tell ourselves that when things are dire, we can make a difference. The thing is: When it comes down to it, what we tell ourselves doesn't matter. In an emergency, the most important factor isn't the decisions you'll make. It's the decisions you've already made. Decisions like: Did you pack enough to stay warm? Did you tell someone before you left? Were you honest about your own abilities, and did you choose a trip that matches them? Those decisions save more lives than anything…

Tucked into the southern foothills of the Tararua Range, Tunnel Gully Recreation Area is one of the Hutt Valley's most varied walking destinations. Dense native forest, historic railway engineering, sweeping valley views, and a network of well-graded tracks make it a favourite for both family strollers and seasoned trampers. Here, we highlight three standout walks with each offering a different flavour of this beautiful corner of the hills. The Tunnel Gully Track The signature walk of the recreation area follows the old Cross Creek Railway formation of the 1870s, where the Fell railway once hauled steam trains over the Rimutakas. Today, the rail corridor is an easy, wide path beneath a canopy of regenerating native forest and towering eucalypts. After a gentle ascent, the trail leads to the star attraction:…

Albany Tours in West Australia has launched a twilight hike experience to coincide with the breathtaking ‘Lighting the Sound’ event by Kari Kola, occurring over three magic weekends in Albany/Kinjarling in March 2026. Beginning in the late afternoon, the hike will depart from Whalers Cove and conclude at Uredale Point, for the most spectacular vantage point of this world-first, exclusive installation. Along the way, guests will marvel at the otherworldly surroundings of King George Sound, Princess Royal Harbour and Bramble Beach, before enjoying a gourmet bush food picnic and a warm beverage for the return journey. The expert, fully guided tour shares the stories of Menang elder, Uredale.…

Who doesn't love a relaxed beachside stroll — and Ōpōtiki in the eastern Bay of Plenty has a couple of gems. The Dunes Trail and Waiōtahe Trail are easy on effort, big on ocean views. Waiōtahe Trail stretches from Ōpōtiki to Te Ahiaua/the Pipi beds near Ōhiwa Harbour. This easy, almost wholly flat trail links with the Waioweka Trail, which links with the Dunes Trail. The town end of Waiōtahe Trail is by the highway, so it's more of a convenient link rather than a walk of beauty: but the western 4km of Waiōtahe Trail, from Island View Holiday Park, is nothing less than spectacular. If you're just wanting a short walk, start at Te Ahiaua/the Pipi beds, or by the surf club, both spots have toilets and parking. The…