New Zealand Hiking
South Island Paradise
New Zealand is a compact natural extravaganza, and this Backroads trip is a sampler of the country's stunning natural diversity. Native New Zealanders - known as Kiwis, after the unique flightless bird - are wild about "tramping" (that's hiking in Kiwi-speak). Foot trails abound on the South Island, revealing spectacular beauty: snowcapped mountain summits, forest-fringed lakes, lush river valleys and tumbling glaciers. Combine the country's extraordinary beauty with the effortless hospitality of its people and the expertise of Backroads leaders, and you've got a destination that's perfect for exploring for the first time or returning to again and again.
Trip Planning Links
- Tramp through the unmatchable South Island - it's a Kiwi tradition!
- Alpine tundra in the a.m. and oceanside trails in the p.m.
- Visit a working Merino sheep station
- Explore two glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox
- Opt to discover dramatic Milford Sound by scenic flight or cruise
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Arthur's Pass
Meet in Christchurch 
Hike Godley Head out to Taylor's Mistake for beautiful views of Lyttleton Harbor and the South Pacific Head into the mountains and watch a sheepshearing demonstration at a working farm Hike high in Arthur's Pass National Park for inspirational views of the surrounding snowcapped mountains, sweeping forests and braided rivers.
Day 3 Punakaiki
At the summit of Arthur's Pass, walk through alpine wetlands to Devil's Punchbowl Falls for spectacular vistas of the 429-foot cascade Travel to the Tasman Sea and observe exploding blowholes at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks Hike through luxuriant tropical rain forest along the Porari River, where native tree ferns and nikau palms abound.
Days 4-5 Franz Josef
In the gold-rush town of Hokitika, shop for hand-carved greenstone jewelry and other local crafts Follow the Hari Hari Coastal Walkway to the Tasman Sea and through native kahikatea forest Discover the dramatic Franz Josef Glacier, where ice meets rain forest, or book a helicopter excursion to the glacier and explore its incredible features up close.
Days 6-7 Lake Moeraki
View the famous reflections of Mounts Tasman and Cook in the dark surface of Lake Matheson Explore the Fox Glacier and the amazing glacial valley it created From Lake Moeraki, hike through protected rain forest to the pounding surf at spectacular Munro Beach and search for pounamu, the native jade of New Zealand Canoe on the lake with a resident naturalist, or go hiking or swimming.
Days 8-10 Lake Wanaka
Challenge yourself on a hike up Diamond Lake Trail for incredible views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains Take an optional scenic flight to Milford Sound, New Zealand's most famous fjord, or walk along Lake Wanaka An early-morning jaunt to the top of Mount Iron offers 360-degree views.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
While we have traveled around the world with other tour companies and Backroads, this by far was the most enjoyable trip. New Zealand provided not only an extraordinary background, and having two of our adult children and their spouses along make it uniquely enjoyable, the trip leaders were just the best. Attentive, friendly, sharing of their knowledge, generous with their time, consciously sharing their attention among all the travelers, and full of flexibility and suggestions (getting a fishing guide, arranging bungee jumping, juggling the schedule to get it all in) all of which made this a very special trip. Bravo!- Landrum, SC More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the New Zealand tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Asia & the Pacific, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Asia & the Pacific walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific multisport tours click here.
New Zealand Hiking
KIWI COMFORTS: Premiere Inns*
Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass (2 nights) Under the gracious proprietorship of Gerry McSweeny, this cozy mountain retreat and high-country sheep station is surrounded by beech forest and frosted peaks.
Punakaiki Resort
Punakaiki (1 night) Situated close to the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki, this eco-friendly hotel offers impressive views along the beach and inland as far as New Zealand's highest mountain.
* Casual Inn
Westwood Lodge
Franz Josef (2 nights) Spacious, warmly finished guest rooms overlook the rugged terrain at this inviting and secluded lodge.
Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki
Lake Moeraki (2 nights) Cozy guest rooms, a riverside lodge and excellent cuisine in a remote rain forest setting.
Edgewater Resort Hotel
Lake Wanaka (2 nights) Spacious suites, a host of amenities - including tennis courts, a putting green, a sauna and hot tub - and lush grounds on the shore of mountain-rimmed Lake Wanaka.
New Zealand Hiking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 1.7, 2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 7.6, 9.8 miles
- 1500 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 1.3, 3, 5.3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 3.6, 4.7 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 5 miles
- 350 feet elevation gain
- Optional Activities
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 2.7, 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 4.5 miles
- 50 feet elevation gain
- Optional Activities
Day 8
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 2.5, 5.5 miles
- 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 9
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- 8 miles
- 150 feet elevation gain
- Optional Activities
Day 10
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 2.5 miles
- 400 feet elevation gain