There's no need to wander around with your nose stuck in a guidebook. Take your New Zealand hiking adventure to the next level with a local walking guide.
There are real benefits to having a knowledgeable guide accompany you along New Zealand's most spectacular tracks. Hosted journeys offer a rich understanding of the natural beauty and history that surrounds you and make the most out of every moment.
Guides can plan a customised itinerary tailored to your preferences and needs, focusing on the sights you’ve been dreaming of. They are truly passionate about what they do and take pride in showing you the absolute highlights of each trail - things you wouldn’t find on your own. They’ve got extensive knowledge about the region and its native flora and fauna; we have beautiful plants and birds that aren’t seen anywhere else in the world. And they'll ensure your comfort at all times, even on unfamiliar terrain in a different climate than you might be used to.
The experience is enhanced by all the little extras that make for a worry-free expedition. Your dining needs are well catered for, with food and beverages supplied. Relax at the end of each day at pre-arranged accommodation and wake up fully refreshed the next day knowing everything is taken care of. All you'll need to do is pack - find a packing list here(opens in new window).
Whatever trail you're contemplating, there are guides all around the country to help you get the best out of your walking adventure. Look no further for a great outdoors experience.
Lake Waikaremoana
Walking Legends(opens in new window) offer two tours that explore this Great Walk – Lake Waikaremoana Walk, four days and Waikaremoana Discovery, four days. Hiking New Zealand offer the walk on its own or as part of a larger hiking tour. Highlights include walking through lush rainforest and circumnavigating the mystical Lake Waikaremoana.
This amazing walk encircles Mount Ngauruhoe, an active volcano in Tongariro National Park. You’ll see craters, explosion pits, lava flows and more.
Walking Legends(opens in new window), Adrift Guided Outdoor Adventures(opens in new window), New Zealand Trails(opens in new window), Active Adventures(opens in new window) and Hiking New Zealand all offer guided tours of the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Circling Mount Ngauruhoe, an active volcano in Tongariro National Park, you'll see craters, explosion pits, and lava flows.
Canoeing down the Whanganui River
Let the water do the hard work for you and venture down the Whanganui River on this journey without touching land. See Whanganui River Road Tours.
Crystal clear waters and marine wildlife are highlights of this track; some tour operators offer a combination of walking and kayaking
Crystal clear waters and marine wildlife are highlights of this track; some tour operators offer a combination of walking and kayaking. Try Abel Tasman Wilson's Walking Breaks, New Zealand Trails(opens in new window), Abel Tasman Wilson's Guided Sea Kayaking, Abel Tasman Tours & Guided Walks, or Hiking New Zealand.
This ancient Maori trail crosses over tussock downs to lush forests, through Nikau palms and onward to the roaring seas of the West Coast.
Simply Wild Journeys(opens in new window), Bush and Beyond Guided Walks(opens in new window), and Hiking New Zealand all offer excursions to the Heaphy Track. The Heaphy Track is full of contrasts, with each section serving up totally different scenery.
Routeburn Track
With soaring mountain peaks, huge valleys, waterfalls and jewel-like lakes, the Routeburn Track links the Mount Aspiring National Park with Fiordland National Park. Ultimate Hikes has both 3-day and 6-day options while Trips & Tramps offers a day walk. Active Adventures(opens in new window), Guided Walks New Zealand(opens in new window) and New Zealand Walking Tours(opens in new window) also offer guided packages.
New Zealand’s most famous walk, the Milford Track has been thrilling hikers for more than 150 years.
Look to Ultimate Hikes, Active Adventures(opens in new window), New Zealand Walking Tours(opens in new window) and Trips & Tramps for guided tours on our most famous walk of all, taking in New Zealand's tallest waterfall, majestic valleys and glacier-carved fiords.
This awe-inspiring track was designed to show you all the best features of Fiordland - mountains, native forest, waterfalls and glacier-carved valleys
Unlike many other multi-day walks, the Kepler Track was custom-made for leisure. Tour operators here include Trips & Tramps and New Zealand Walking Tours.(opens in new window)
Stewart Island is a world where nature is very much in charge. On the Rakiura Track you'll discover peace, birdsong and scenery that has barely changed in thousands of years.
Ruggedy Range(opens in new window) offers guided walks to Stewart Island's Rakiura Track, rich in scenery and birdsong.
Rangitoto Island summit view of Motutapu
Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands are both located in the Hauraki Gulf, an easy boat ride from central Auckland. Roam through regenerating native forest, and step into a whole new world of fascinating lava formations, with panoramic reviews across the harbour. Te Haerenga offers guided walks.
The Queen Charlotte Track is nature at its best
Walk as much or as little as you want, and have your gear transported by boat between your overnight stops. The track is accessed by boat, so tours include water transfers to and from the track. There’s a huge variety of accommodation and cafes along the track, in between the native bush, peaceful inlets and skyline ridges, showcasing the region’s famous gourmet cuisine and warm hospitality. Wilderness Guides and Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co offer guided trips.
Getting back to nature on the Hollyford Track.
Variety is what the Hollyford Track is all about. Starting from Te Anau, the track meanders from mountains to sea, descending through lakes and valleys in dramatic Fiordland. You’ll have the bonus of experiencing an exhilarating jet boat ride down the Hollyford River and Lake McKerrow and a scenic helicopter flight over the peaks of Milford Sound. Check out New Zealand Trails(opens in new window) for guided journey options.
The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track blends nature and local heritage along with a variety of scenery
One of New Zealand’s newest hiking adventures, the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a 3-day loop traversing some of our wildest land. Make your way through native forest, alpine ridges and remote coastlines, keeping an ear out for the tinkles of tui and bellbird song. You may be lucky enough to see Hector’s dolphins and sometimes penguins or seals along the shores. Two backcountry lodges are situated along the track, offering multi-share accommodation or private rooms. The Hump Ridge Track operator offers independent and small group trips.
Poet's Corner Lodge
Looking for something different? The team at Nature and Nosh Tours(opens in new window) specialise in multi-day guided hiking tours. From lush native bush, waterfalls and rolling landscapes, to the pristine coastlines of New Zealand's North Island, their fully-inclusive, (pack-free) guided hiking tours match scenic and diverse day walks (Nature), with local food and wine (Nosh). A combination of unique guided walks, Boutique accommodation in beautiful lodges or B & B's with local hosts and Tantalising New Zealand food & wine experiences - Nature and Nosh Tours have all your needs covered.
