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to NZ Hiking Adventures
Real hiking stories, trail tips, and reflections from the backcountry.

NZ Hiking Adventures
Stories, routes and reflections from the backcountry
Welcome to NZ Hiking Adventures.
This site is about more than trails. It's about movement, recovery, and finding steadiness in wild places

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Whangapeka Track and Kakapo Hut Loop - Kahurangi National Park
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.


Ryton Track | Lake Ida & Lake Catherine
Hidden in the Canterbury high country, Lake Ida and Lake Catherine are two alpine lakes that make for a stunning day hike.


Where to Buy Trail Cloth — And Why It Belongs in Your Pack
If you spend time in the outdoors, you know how much the small pieces of gear can make the biggest difference. Trail Cloth was created with one goal in mind: to make hygiene on the trail easier, cleaner, and more comfortable — especially for women who want a reliable, reusable option they can trust in any environment.


Omahu Bush | Hunting for a Derelict Hut
If you’re looking for a short but rewarding adventure close to Christchurch, Omahu Bush and Gibraltar Rock are a perfect mix of views, forest, and history. With two nearby car parks along Summit Road—one for Gibraltar Rock and another smaller one about 100 metres away for Omahu Bush—it’s easy to link the two into a full day of exploring.


Overnight Hike to Cedar Flat Hut
Cedar Flat Hut is one of those West Coast classics: wild rivers, deep bush, cosy huts, and even natural hot pools. It’s the perfect overnight hike for those wanting a taste of backcountry adventure without venturing too far from Hokitika.


Erewhon Hut Day Hike
The Hakatere Conservation Park is full of hidden gems, and one of the lesser-known day hikes takes you up to Erewhon Hut. Tucked away in the upper reaches of the Rangitata area, this short but rewarding walk gives you a taste of Canterbury high country history, sweeping views, and a glimpse into a unique chapter of New Zealand skiing.


Overnight Hike - Jolliebrook Circuit & Cold Stream Hut
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.


Easy Day Hike | Spurs Hut
Tucked away in the tussock basins inland from Fairlie in the Mackenzie District, Spurs Hut is a lovely spot for an easy day hike, family adventure, or overnight stay. With its straightforward access and gentle terrain, it’s no wonder the hut is popular with hunters and families alike.


Lake Sumner Forest Park - Three Mile Stream Hut, Mackenzie Hut, No3 Hut and Hurunui Hut
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.


Backcountry Escape | Whitcombe Valley | Hiking Rapid Creek to Frew Hut
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
Molesworth Leatham Circuit, a remote and rugged loop that crosses impressive saddles, follows wild rivers, and offers cozy backcountry huts at night.


Mt Izard to Mt Cheeseman Traverse - Craigieburn Range
If you're looking for a stunning day hike that combines breathtaking views, invigorating challenges, and a connection to nature, I highly recommend the climb from Texas Flat to Mt. Izard and the ridge traverse to Mt. Cheeseman in the magnificent Craigieburn Range.


Overnight Hike to East Hawdon Biv | Arthur's Pass National Park
Arthur’s Pass National Park, located in Canterbury, is known for its dramatic mountain landscapes. This hiking journey takes an off-track route deep into the Hawdon Valley to reach East Hawdon Biv, a two‑bunk hut.


Challenging Overnight Hike to Pell Stream Hut
Embark on an unforgettable outdoor adventure as I explore the challenging Pell Stream Track that begins at Marble Hill Camp Ground, nestled along the scenic Lewis Pass Highway between Canterbury and the West Coast.


Everything You Need to Know About Hiking the Paparoa Track Great Walk
Embarking on the Paparoa Track Great Walk not once, but twice, has etched unforgettable memories in my soul.


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


Mt Aicken - Arthurs Pass National Park
Located in the stunning Arthurs Pass of New Zealand, Mount Aicken offers an exhilarating challenge for hikers and adventurers.


Mt Lyndon Circuit
If you're looking for a challenging yet rewarding hiking experience, look no further than the Mt. Lyndon circuit.


The Torlesse Gap
Have you ever driven through Springfield heading towards Arthur’s Pass, looked at the skyline ridge of Castle Hill Peak, seen a gap that looks like a missing tooth and wondered what it was? Well that my friends is The Torlesse Gap.


Mt Oxford Forest - Wharfedale Hut & Black Hill Hut Overnight Hike
An early December 2021 tramping club trip was rescheduled due to weather, it went from plan A to plan D in the space of about a week, I wasn't too worried as I was eager to get out and it didn't really bother me where we were going.
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