Tramping in New Zealand

Walking in the wilderness is very popular in New Zealand. The local name for this activity is "tramping", and this is the main reason for my visit. Trails can vary from highly developed "tracks" to hard-to-follow "routes". There are options for people with any degree of experience. Some of the tracks have very nice lodges, complete with cooking stoves, foam mattresses, and flush toilets. Guided walks with even more luxuries, including cooked meals and hot showers, are also popular.

Great Walks

Some of the most popular routes have been set aside by the Department of Conservation as Great Walks. Some of these are so popular that advance bookings are required. These are the Milford and Routeburn tracks, which also offer guided options. I did four of the guided walks:

Milford Track: Billed as "the finest walk in the world", this four day track follows glacial valleys through the rainforests of Fiordland, crossing MacKinnon Pass.
Routeburn Track: New Zealand's most popular alpine track crosses Harris Saddle on a three day walk through the Southern Alps.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track: A beautiful, relaxing walk following pristine beaches, headlands and forests along the Tasman Sea. While the route is not entirely wilderness, there are many fine swimming spots and campsites.
Tongariro Northern Circuit: This volcanic track encircles the cone of Mt. Ngauruhoe, crosses Mt. Tongariro's craters, and stops by a hot spring.

Short Walks

Many short walks are possible as well. I did the following overnight walks and dayhikes:

Mueller Hut, Mt. Cook National Park: Mueller Hut provides stunning views from the ridge high above Mt. Cook Village.
Aspiring Hut, Mt. Aspiring National Park: Aspiring hut is a beautifully located base for exploring the isolated mountain regions of Aspiring National Park, including Cascade Saddle.
Avalanche Peak: Avalanche Peak is a strenuous climb above Arthur's Pass, with excellent views.

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