A blog about New Zealand tramping / hiking
Rangiwahia Hut is one of the most popular walks in the Ruahines. It’s only a two hour walk up, with a picturesque bridge, views over the rolling hills to Ruapehu & Taranaki. (As well as the most beautifully painted long-drops I have ever seen.) Length: about 4km return to the hut, including a 500m climb Time taken: 2hrs to the
Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake is an epic trip. Not only are you climbing the highest peak in the North Island – you’re also climbing an active volcano. The prize at the top is Crater Lake, a warm sulphuric lake sitting on top of the volcanic vent, and amazing views as far as Mt Taranaki on a
Lake Daniell is an easy day-walk or overnighter in Lewis Pass. This flat walk is the perfect introduction to tramping for family or first-timers. And Lake Daniell is a beautiful reward for your effort. Length: 8.4km one-way, less than 150m elevation gain Time taken: 2 hrs one-way to Kōhanga Atawhai – Manson Nicholls Memorial Hut Difficulty:
April, 2020 Invercargill, New Zealand As I sit here writing this, New Zealand is currently in week three of a nationwide lockdown due to an out-of-control pandemic sweeping the globe. Who would have ever thought I’d have occasion to write that sentence!Despite the fact I work in a hospital that has been preparing for this
Angels Landing is the most popular hike in Zion National Park, so named because an explorer exclaimed that only angels could land there. The views over the canyon are beautiful, but they’re only part of what draws in the crowds. The journey itself is one-of-a-kind – the later section of track winds up a knife-edge
Our first attempt in July at completing the winter Crossing may have been sabotaged by the weather, but our second attempt in August was the complete opposite – a bluebird day with beautiful views all the way across. Length: 19.4km one-way trip, including a 1,196m change in elevation Time taken: 9.5 hours Difficulty: Difficult – in
The Cascade Saddle Route is an adrenaline-inducing challenge in Mt Aspiring National Park with sheer drop-offs and incredible views of the Matukituki Valley, Dart Glacier and Tititea / Mt Aspiring. Length: 15km Elevation gain: 1300m+ (my watch read 1759m cumulative gain climbing up) Time taken: 1-2 days depending on fitness and willingness to camp at
The beautiful Valley of the Trolls might be one of my favourite places in the country! It is well worth the detour off the busy Routeburn Track. Length: approx. 2km from the Harris Shelter on the Routeburn Track Time taken: 2 hour return (from Harris Saddle on the Routeburn Track) Difficulty: easy Facilities: none, closest long-drop
