New Zealand's 10 Land Great Walks are a collection of premier multi-day hiking trails managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), showcasing the country's most spectacular and diverse landscapes. These well-maintained tracks offer an exceptional backcountry experience with comfortable huts and campsites, providing an unparalleled opportunity to explore New Zealand's natural beauty on foot.
Here are the 10 land-based Great Walks with very short descriptions:
North Island
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Lake Waikaremoana Track
• Description: Traces the "sea of rippling waters" through ancient forests with stunning lake views.
• Distance: 46 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,536 m
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Tongariro Northern Circuit
• Description: Circles Mt Tongariro through volcanic terrain, emerald lakes, and active craters.
• Distance: 43 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,963 m
South Island
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Abel Tasman Coast Track
• Description: Golden beaches, clear waters, and coastal forest with water taxi access.
• Distance: 60 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,773 m
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Heaphy Track
• Description: The longest Great Walk, crossing tussock downs, lush forests, and wild beaches.
• Distance: 78.4 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,769 m
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Paparoa Track
• Description: Lush rainforest, limestone karst, and alpine ridges; open to hikers and bikers.
• Distance: 55 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,552 m
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Routeburn Track
• Description: Alpine traverse through the Southern Alps with peaks, valleys, and beech forest.
• Distance: 32 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,308 m
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Milford Track
• Description: Iconic Fiordland trail with waterfalls, rainforest, and towering peaks.
• Distance: 53.5 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,655 m
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Kepler Track
• Description: A purpose-built circuit from lake shores to alpine ridgelines in Fiordland.
• Distance: 60 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,996 m
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Rakiura Track (Stewart Island)
• Description: Coastal bush and native forest with a chance to spot wild kiwi.
• Distance: 32 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,433 m
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Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track
• Description: Coastal forest, sub-alpine tussock, and historic viaducts; newly upgraded.
• Distance: 60 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,902 m
The eleventh "walk" is actually a paddle down the Whanganui River, not a walking track.
History
Over the year's the number of great walks has expanded.
In 2009, Mal Law ran the seven mainland runnable Great Walks in 7 days, which is chronicled in his book "One Step Beyond." (Anyone know his official time?)
In 2014, Ben Southall, Luke Edwards, and Patrick Kinsella made an attempt to finish all nine, including the Whanganui, in nine days. They aborted their completion of the Whanganui due to high river levels, but scrambled in time to finish the eight land walks in 9d23h20min.
Patrick, Luke, and Ben's FKT is chronicled in this article written by Patrick in the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2014/dec/05/running-new-zealand-nine-great-walks-in-nine-days
