Hiking in New Zealand: The Great Walks
New Zealand is a hiker's paradise — a country with nine flagship "Great Walks" managed by the Department of Conservation, a superb backcountry hut network, and landscapes ranging from Fiordland rainforest to volcanic plateaus to alpine passes, all within a compact, well-organised country.
The Milford Track (53.5 km, 4 days) is the most famous — "the finest walk in the world" — through Fiordland from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound. The Routeburn, Kepler and Abel Tasman are the other South Island classics.
This guide covers the Great Walks, the DOC hut system, the booking season, and the backcountry options beyond the flagship routes.
The Milford Track
The Milford Track (53.5 km, 4 days) runs from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound through Fiordland National Park, crossing the Mackinnon Pass (1,154 m) and passing Sutherland Falls. It is a hut-to-hut trek with a strict booking system run by DOC.
It can be walked independently (3 DOC huts) or as a guided walk (private lodges). Independent bookings open in a single annual release and sell out within hours for peak season — plan well ahead.
The Great Walks and DOC Huts
The nine Great Walks (Milford, Routeburn, Kepler, Heaphy, Abel Tasman, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Whanganui River Journey, Rakiura, Paparoa) are the premier, best-maintained tracks, with high-standard huts and a premium booking system.
Beyond them, DOC maintains nearly 950 backcountry huts across the country, accessible with a single hut pass or per-night tickets. This makes New Zealand one of the easiest countries in the world for multi-day backcountry trekking.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the Milford Track? 53.5 km over 4 days through Fiordland from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound, crossing Mackinnon Pass (1,154 m). It is a hut-to-hut trek with a strict DOC booking system.
- When is the best time to hike in New Zealand? The Great Walks season runs October to April (the southern summer). December–February is peak season; the huts are busiest and bookings sell out fast. May–September is winter — some tracks close or require alpine skills.
- Do I need a guide for the Great Walks? No. The Great Walks are well-waymarked and have high-standard huts. You do need to book huts in advance through DOC, and the Milford Track sells out within hours of the annual booking release.
- How does New Zealand compare with Morocco hiking? New Zealand offers lush Fiordland rainforest and a superb hut network; Morocco offers high-altitude desert trekking, Berber culture and far fewer people. Both are excellent but very different — see our Morocco hiking holidays guide.
Morocco Hiking Holidays — A drier, culturally rich alternative for a hiking holiday.