Lewis Pass is one of the South Island’s most underrated tramping regions. Nestled between lush beech forests, glacial rivers, alpine basins, and hot springs, it offers an incredible range of tracks—everything from family-friendly day walks to rewarding multi-day missions deep into the backcountry.

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.

If you’re looking for a gentle, rewarding walk through lush beech forest with a beautiful lake and a spacious hut at the end, Lake Daniell is one of the best family-friendly hikes in the South Island. With only around 100 metres of total elevation gain and a well-formed track for most of the way, it’s suitable for beginners, children, and anyone after an easy day in the bush.

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.

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.