New Zealand – Milford Track, Routeburn, Kepler and Te Araroa

HikingStore |25/10, 2026

Hiking tent pitched in an alpine landscape in Fiordland, New Zealand

New Zealand is the next step after the Himalayas, but the trekking logistics are different. In Nepal, many classic trails run between villages and tea houses. On New Zealand's Great Walks, you'll often plan between DOC huts and pre-booked campsites. Space is limited, and during peak season you'll need to book accommodation in advance.

For most Great Walks, the season runs from 1 November to 30 April . The Kepler Track opens for the 2026/27 season as early as 27 October 2026 and closes on 30 April. Out of season, trails are often open, but facilities may be reduced and weather, snow, avalanches and shorter daylight hours make some walks suitable only for experienced walkers.

The weather changes quickly, especially on the South Island. On the coast, there is an additional planning factor that many Nordic walkers are not used to: the tide. So don't just check the distance and elevation profile. Also ask: what bookings, transport and natural conditions determine when I can actually walk?

Milford Track: four days through Fiordland

The Milford Track is 53.5 kilometres (33.1 mi) long and is walked in a single direction from south to north over four days and three nights. The route runs through Fiordland National Park, from Glade Wharf on Lake Te Anau to Sandfly Point on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Three DOC huts are located along the trail; camping is not permitted .

During the Great Walks season, cabin reservations are required. For 2026/27, the nightly fee is NZ$106 for adults resident in New Zealand and NZ$152 for international visitors . Book through DOC's booking system . Transport to and from the trailhead also needs to be planned and booked separately. There is no private car route to the trailhead or finish. Private operators also offer guided options; Visit Fiordland has information about these.

The trail is sometimes called “the world’s greatest walk.” That’s a judgmental description, not an official ranking. The plausible explanation is the combination of glacial valleys, rainforest, waterfalls, and the alpine passage over Omanui/McKinnon Pass. Milford does require some common, practical preparation, though: days two and three are long, and rain can affect both water levels and accessibility.

Routeburn Track: two national parks and rapid weather changes

The Routeburn is approximately 32–33 kilometres (20–21 mi) long and usually takes two to four days to complete. The trail passes through Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks, with three cabins and two campsites. During the Great Walks season, overnight accommodation is booked through DOC .

The route passes through open highlands where wind, rain and poor visibility can quickly change conditions. Between May and October the trail is open, but facilities are reduced. Snow, avalanche danger and severe weather make it an option out of season for experienced hikers with the right knowledge and equipment. Check the current trail status and weather before you decide; a booked cabin does not make a vulnerable section of road safe.

Hikers on an exposed alpine trail in the mountains of New Zealand as clouds roll in

Kepler Track: a round trip from Te Anau

Kepler is a 60-kilometre circular walk near Te Anau. Allow three to four days. The trail alternates between forest, a long stretch on a ridge and lakeside walks – the variety makes it a good example of Fiordland’s diverse landscapes.

There are three cabins: Luxmore, Iris Burn and Moturau, and two campsites. During the season 27 October 2026–30 April 2027, sites must be booked through the DOC booking system . Te Anau is the natural starting point for arranging transport and checking current conditions. Plan to adjust the trip if the weather makes the backcountry unsuitable.

Abel Tasman Coast Track: beach, boat and tides

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is about 60 kilometres along the coast of Abel Tasman National Park. Many people walk the track in three to five days, with the option of combining walking and water taxi between Marahau and Tōtaranui. Boats do not go north of Tōtaranui, so plan the walking and transport parts as a whole.

Cabins and campsites need to be booked in advance all year round. At Awaroa Inlet you must cross the tidal strait within a limited window: from 1 hour and 30 minutes before low tide to 2 hours after . Check DOC tide tables and compare times to your daily pace. There is no need to try to force a passage outside the safe tidal window. Filtered water is available at selected campsites, including at Awaroa; check current water information and have a backup plan.

Coastal path and tidal inlets along the Abel Tasman Coast Track

Tongariro Alpine Crossing: a long day in volcanic landscapes

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19.4-kilometre day hike across volcanic terrain in the North Island. In summer it can be hot and there is almost no shade. Bring enough water, sunscreen and clothing for changing weather. Shuttles must be booked; check transport conditions and current trail status before departure.

Winter, roughly from May to late October, is a different kind of trip. Snow and ice, avalanche risk and volcanic hazards require winter mountain knowledge and equipment. You may need a headlamp, layers, waterproof outerwear, crampons, ice axe, helmet and avalanche equipment: transceiver, probe and shovel. The equipment only helps if you know how to use it and have practiced the decisions that come with it. Check the weather at NIWA , avalanche forecast and volcanic information at GeoNet . If in doubt, choose another day or another trip.

Hikers with winter gear on snowy volcanic terrain at Tongariro

Te Araroa: the dream destination that requires long-term planning

Te Araroa is 3,012 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff, divided into 93 sections across the North and South Islands. The entire trail often takes four to six months to complete, but many walk a single section or island at a time. The route mixes wilderness trails, beaches, roads and waterways. The Te Araroa Trust updates and moves sections, so the current length and route are subject to change.

A walk through requires planning well beyond the daily distance. Great Walks bookings can be a bottleneck, especially if the route is to fit in a particular season. Some sections require tidal crossings, road transport or careful monitoring of water levels and occasional diversions. Follow Te Araroa Trust’s logistical advice and up-to-date maps and trail information . This is a big goal – but build your plan around bookings and conditions, not just an intended start date.

Access and camping: do not assume the right of way

New Zealand does not have a general right of way in the Nordic sense . Private land is not automatically open to walkers. Ask the landowner for permission in advance, follow the conditions and accept that access may be denied. Some areas have statutory public access, for example marked walkways, marginal strips along waterways and some unpaved public roads, so-called paper roads. Check access with Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa and its maps. Never assume that “everything is allowed”.

Freedom camping regulations do not apply as a new right of way. On DOC land, camping may be permitted where it is not expressly prohibited or restricted, but local regulations apply and Great Walks have their own overnight camping regulations. Campers must use permitted, designated campsites – a tent does not have the freedom that the regulations give certain vehicles. From 7 June 2026, vehicles using self-sufficient camping certification will need a green warrant and a fixed, non-portable toilet. Fines for breaches can typically range from NZ$200 to NZ$800. Read MBIE’s information on amended freedom camping regulations .

Equipment and safety: sleep well, stay dry and have a backup plan

DOC huts have beds, but facilities vary between trails and seasons. Always check the current hut description and bring your own sleeping bag. Choose according to the comfort temperature of the sleeping bag and the cold you can actually face; see also HikingStore's guide to bird down . A sleeping pad with sufficient insulation contributes to sleep even in a hut. Ground chill and a sleeping bag that is too cold affect recovery, and a lighter pack is not worth a night of poor sleep.

Prioritize rain cover, warm layers, map and offline maps, first aid and a communication plan. On remote trails, a satellite communicator or emergency transmitter is wise; mobile coverage is lacking on parts of the routes. Bring a wind-resistant tent only if you are staying overnight at a campsite where camping is allowed. Choose according to the conditions of the site, not just the weight of the tent. See HikingStore's range of tents , backpacks , sleeping pads and sleeping bags , and use our summer hiking packing list as a basis.

Compared to the Swedish mountains, you need to factor in stricter booking systems, the lack of public access, tides and – on Tongariro – volcanic terrain. Share your itinerary with someone, check trail status and weather on the same day and let them know when you have arrived. The emergency number in New Zealand is 111. Make sure your insurance covers the planned activity and any rescue.

Thanks for following along as we kicked off the Asia/Oceania part with the Himalayas and now New Zealand. We’ll continue the series to new countries and continents, but the next destination is yet to be decided. No matter where the route takes us, one thing remains the same: the best equipment is the one that works reliably when the weather changes.