This demanding West Coast backcountry route, located near Lake Kaniere, forms an almost loop and typically takes five to six days, depending on fitness, weather, river levels, and how you choose to break up the stages. While it can be walked in either direction, I strongly recommend travelling from the Toaroha Valley through to the Styx River.

If you’re looking for day hikes that capture that true backcountry adventure feeling without committing to a full multi-day tramp, Mid Canterbury is full of hidden gems. From alpine summits to lake circuits and iconic Lord of the Rings landscapes, there’s a lifetime of exploring packed into this corner of the South Island.

Food planning for a multi-day hike is both a science and an art. Over several days in the backcountry, your body works harder, your pack gets lighter, and your nutrition becomes even more important. Choosing the right foods can keep your energy stable, your recovery strong, and your morale high — especially when the terrain becomes challenging or the weather turns.

The Sylvia Tops route is one of those trips that asks a lot of you early, then slowly repays the effort with wild ridgelines, remote bivvies, and a real sense of being deep in Lake Sumner Forest Park. This three-day loop took us from Palmer Lodge, up and over the Sylvia Tops to Devils Den Bivvy, then down through the Nina Valley to Lucretia Bivvy, before returning the same way. It was physical, committing in places, and deeply satisfying.

These are the Great Walk alternatives: lesser-known circuits and valleys that offer alpine passes, remote huts, glacier views, and that special feeling of being deep in New Zealand’s backcountry.

When most people think about training for hiking, they picture long walks, hill climbs, or cardio workouts — all great foundations. But if you really want to move with confidence on steep climbs, handle a heavy pack, and avoid injuries on rough terrain, strength training is the missing piece.

Tucked deep in the Gamack Conservation Area near Lake Tekapo, Green Point Hut is a quiet backcountry escape surrounded by wide river terraces, golden tussock, and the steady rush of the Jollie River. I spent two nights here, using the full day in between to explore further up the valley to the derelict site of Littles Hut — a spot steeped in history and solitude.

NZ Hiking Adventures - my Vulva Tried to Kill me but I Walked it off

After a long day on the trail, there’s nothing quite like sitting down, boots off, watching the light fade over the hills — and tucking into something warm, comforting, and ridiculously easy to make.

Journey with me through the rugged beauty of Kahurangi National Park on a six-day adventure covering 68 km, four alpine saddles, and a visit to one of the most remote huts in the country.

If you spend enough time in the New Zealand backcountry, you know there’s no such thing as too much comfort — especially when it comes to toilet breaks on the trail. Enter Trail Cloth.

The Lake Sumner area has long been a favourite of trampers who enjoy rustic huts, wild valleys, and classic Canterbury scenery. On this trip I set out to complete the Jolliebrook Circuit, with the intention for an extra detour to bag Cold Stream Hut—a tucked-away little gem up a side valley.

When you’re deep in the New Zealand backcountry, you learn to appreciate the simple things — a dry pair of socks, a sturdy hut, and small bits of gear that just work. Trail Cloth is one of those small but mighty essentials that changes the way you move through the wild.

Tucked deep in the Kokatahi Valley on the West Coast, Boo Boo Hut offers a fantastic backcountry adventure filled with history, rugged gorge scenery, and the opportunity to ascend higher into the peaks for some serious hut and peak bagging.

Some trips leave you tired. Others leave you restored. And then there are those that leave you grinning for days afterward. 2024's Wild Waitangi Weekend was the latter — four days, 75 kilometres, four huts, and a hut-bagging milestone of 250 huts.

The West Coast has a way of making you feel small — in the best possible way. Towering peaks, glacial rivers, and thick native bush all combine into a kind of raw, untamed beauty that keeps calling me back. This time, the call came in the form of a big weekend adventure into the Whitcombe Valley, a place that’s as wild as it sounds.

Molesworth Leatham Circuit, a remote and rugged loop that crosses impressive saddles, follows wild rivers, and offers cozy backcountry huts at night.

Embarking on the Paparoa Track Great Walk not once, but twice, has etched unforgettable memories in my soul.

Embark on this classic multi-day hiking adventure on New Zealand's West Coast, traversing two historic pack tracks.

This section of Te Araroa trail is quite challenging, as it involves four steep ascents and descents, along with narrow sidles.