300+ Epic Walks Await You in New Zealand

Enjoy my journey through 300+ stunning New Zealand walks. I’ll uncover awe-inspiring hikes, walks and hidden gems around NZ

Auckland Walks

Bush walks, beaches & hikes around Auckland. Walk Rangitoto Island

Queenstown Walks

Mountains, lakes and fantastic views on short day walks in Queenstown.

Christchurch Walks

Avon river walk, popular Godley Head walk in Christchurch

Wanaka Walks

Walk Roys Peak and other mountains. Walk the lake for awesome views

Rotorua Walks

Walk through the Redwoods or around the Blue or Green lakes

Wellington Walks

Enjoy the views from Mt Victoria. Walk out to the seal colony

You'll find all our walks include, quality photos taken by us, distance, time, history, highlights, full description, track points and much more.

I’ve walked through lush native bush on a North Island walk and ancient forests on a South Island walk. I especially enjoy the coastlines and beautiful beaches on walks in Auckland.

Explore a glacier up close on our Franz Josef Glacier walk or dramatic snow-capped mountain ranges from the many Queenstown walks we have done.

We love Wanaka and it’s walking, you won’t get bored here. You can walk them for free, no guide is needed.

Walk Dunedin for the history and beautiful old buildings. We’ve covered North Island walks and South Island walks in New Zealand.

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Check out our latest walks just added by me and the team

Every time a new walk is added to the site it will appear here first. If you subscribe to my email you’ll also get notified there as well. Don’t worry we don’t add that many, it takes time to walk the walk and then write it all up. I like to aim for one email per week, but it could quite easily be less than that.

Botany and Dannemora Circuits

This short loop walk exploring the reserves from Botany Town Centre to Dannemora is suitable for people who work at Botany Town Centre and enjoy a short walk in their breaks, families with young children (playground, ducks) and dog owners.

Walk details

Titirangi and French Bay Loop

This walk begins near the village of Titirangi and follows the path down through Atkinson Park to Titirangi Beach and French Bay.

Walk details

Devonport and North Head Loop Walk

One of my favorite walks in Auckland is North Head and Devonport. There are many things to do and see in Devonport Village and the views from North Head are magnificent.

Walk details
Beautiful view of Auckland city and harbour from the top of Mt Victoria in Devonport

Spectacular Views from Mt Victoria in Devonport

Today was clear and sunny, which called for a walk and climb to look over Auckland from up high from Mount Victoria in Devonport

Walk details

Northcote Point and Auckland Harbour Bridge

I felt like a tourist in my home city this morning! The morning was stunning and I was really looking forward to exploring Northcote Point.

Walk details
View of Wanaka town from the top of Roys Peak

Roys Peak Track in Wanaka

Roys Peak Track is 16 km • 5 to 7 hours return • Hard • 6 km drive from Wanaka – walk up for the sunset, it’s truly amazing. Full walk details.

Walk details

You can freely enjoy all my walks without the need for a guide or any entry fees

New Zealand has so many fantastic walking and hiking tracks that you can explore totally for free. From short walks, and day hikes to full on overnight stays in DOC huts.

My pick of the best 12 free walks in New Zealand for 2023

Here’s my quick guide to the 12 best walks worth doing in New Zealand, as rated by me.  I’ve included lots of high quality photos actually taken on the walk, walking times, length, track quality, highlights, hazards if any, and everything in between.

Abel Tasman Coast Track

15.7 kms • 5 hours 30 mins • Easy Walk • Abel Tasman National Park
No. 1

Blue Spring – Te Waihou Walkway

4.7 kms • 3 Hours return full walk or 15 mins from Leslie Rd • Very Easy • 5 km North of Putaruru.
No. 2

Long Bay Regional Park Coastal Walk

5.80 kms • 2.5 Hours • Medium • Auckland • North Island
No. 3

Mt Eden Volcano Walk

2 km • 1 Hour • Easy • Central Auckland • North Island
No. 4

Mt Maunganui Summit Walk

3.80 kms • 1 Hour 20 minutes no stopping • Hard • Bay of Plenty
No. 5

Roys Peak Track Walk

6.50 kms • 5 Hours • Medium • Wanaka • South Island
No. 6

Milford Sound Foreshore Walk

400 m • 30 minutes • Very easy • Milford Sound • South Island
No. 7

Franz Josef Glacier Walk

2.50 kms • 1.5 Hours • Easy • West Coast • South Island
No. 8

Blue Lake Walk in St Bathans

3 km • 1 Hour • Easy • Otago Region • South Island
No. 9

Blue Lake Walk

4.50 kms • 1 Hour 30 Minutes • Very Easy • Rotorua • North Island
No. 10

Wairere Falls Walk

5 kms • 3-5 Hours return • Medium • Waikato Region • North Island
No. 11

Queen Charlotte Track

2 days • 35 kms • 10 Hours 30 Mins • Medium Walk • Malborough Region • South Island
No. 12
On my trip to Milford Sound I got a nice photo of myself. It was cold though.

Who am I and why did I build a website with free walking tracks in New Zealand?

I’m all about sharing my love for walking with everyone, in particular the free walking tracks around New Zealand. Seriously, there are 1000’s of free walks and I can’t get enough of exploring them.

Walking not only lets me soak up the stunning beauty of New Zealand’s great outdoors, but it also does wonders for my body and mind.

I’ve put together this directory of free walking and hiking trails around New Zealand for you to enjoy. Meet my awesome team of passionate walkers. We’re a bunch of walking enthusiasts who are totally hooked on the joy of hitting the trails in New Zealand. 

Lace up your walking boots and join me on my incredible walking journeys, I can’t wait to inspire you to fall in love with walking in New Zealand too!

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It contains exciting new walks added to the website, we only send this out once a week at most. You can opt out at any time.