The South Island is home to some the best great walks in New Zealand
We’ve been out walking all over the South Island and written about our journeys. See the best walking trails in the South Island. This page lists the towns, cities and areas in the South Island where there is great walking and hiking. Click into an area to view all the walks, each hike has stunning photos, trail details, location map, points of interest and much more.
Abel Tasman National Park Walks and Hiking
Abel Tasman National Park hosts some of the best walking and hiking New Zealand has to offer. From short walks to longer hikes, find great New Zealand walks in Abel Tasman National Park.
Alexandra Walks and Hiking
Find out why Alexandra is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Alexandra area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Alexandra has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Arrowtown walks and hiking
Just walking down the one way historic gold rush town main road is cool. There are plenty of excellent walks and biking from Arrowtown, check out our personal list.
Canterbury Region Walks
SOUTH ISLAND WALKS Canterbury Region Walks & Hiking © Freewalks.nz The Canterbury Region is home to some the best great walks in New Zealand We’ve …
Christchurch Walks & Hiking Guide
The best Christchurch walks include the banks of the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. The green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens for more hikes.
Clyde walks and hiking
Find out why Clyde is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Clyde area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Clyde has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Cromwell walks and hiking
Find out why Cromwell is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Cromwell area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Cromwell has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Dunedin Walking & Hiking
Find out why Dunedin is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Dunedin area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Dunedin has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Fox Glacier walks and hiking
Find out why Fox Glacier is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Fox Glacier area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Fox Glacier has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Franz Josef Walks and Hiking
Our best walks would be Franz Josef Glacier walk & Callery Gorge walk for great views. I haven’t hiked up Roberts Point yet, but Garry has and the hard slog to get to the summit was well worth it especially on a sunny day for excellent views of Franz Josef Glacier.
Geraldine walks and hiking
Find out why Geraldine is a great place to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Geraldine area. Geraldine has plenty of great walking and hiking tracks.
Greymouth walks and hiking
Find out why Greymouth is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Greymouth area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Greymouth has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Haast walks and hiking
Find out why Haast is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Haast area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Haast has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Havelock walks and hiking
Find out why Havelock is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Havelock area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Havelock has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Hector walks and hiking
Find out why Hector is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Hector area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Hector has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Hokitika walks and hiking
Find out why Hokitika is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Hokitika area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Hokitika has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Kaikoura walks and hiking
Find out why Kaikoura is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Kaikoura area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Kaikoura has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Lake Benmore walks and hiking
Find out why Lake Benmore is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lake Benmore area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lake Benmore has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Lake Pukaki walks and hiking
Find out why Lake Pukaki is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lake Pukaki area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lake Pukaki has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Lake Tekapo walks and hiking
Our best walks in Lake Tekapo. Get 360 views from the top of Cowans Hill Walkway. Stunning views from Lake Tekapo Walkway. See track times, hiking length, quality, history and more.
Lawrence walks and hiking
Find out why Lawrence is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lawrence area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lawrence has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Lewis Pass walks and hiking
Find out why Lewis Pass is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lewis Pass area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lewis Pass has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Lyttelton walks and hikes
Find out why Lyttelton is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lyttelton area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lyttelton has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Manapouri walks and hiking
Our best walks in Manapouri. The walk to Fraser Beach from Manapouri Visitor center has great views. See track times, hiking length, quality, history and more.
Milford Sound Walks
Discover our favourite short walks and full day hiking tracks in our Milford Sound walks guide.
Motueka walks and hiking
Find out why Motueka is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Motueka area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Motueka has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Mt Cook National Park walks and hiking
Find out why Mt Cook is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Mt Cook area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Mt Cook has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Mt Oxford walks and hiking
Find out why Mt Oxford is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Mt Oxford area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Mt Oxford has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Picton walks and hiking
Find out why Picton is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Picton area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Picton has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Punakaiki walks and hiking
Find out why Punakaiki is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Punakaiki area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Punakaiki has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Queenstown walks and hiking
Our best walks would be the Tiki Trail up to the Gondola saving a trip & Lake Hayes loop walk for great views. I haven’t done the Queenstown Hill walk yet, but will next time we’re in town.
Ross walks and hiking
Find out why Ross is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Ross area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Ross has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Roxburgh walks and hiking
Find out why Roxburgh is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Roxburgh area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Roxburgh has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Seddonville
Find out why Seddonville is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Seddonville area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Seddonville has plenty of great walking and hiking.
St Arnaud walks and hiking
Find out why St Arnaud is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the St Arnaud area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, St Arnaud has plenty of great walking and hiking.
St Bathans walks and hiking
Find out why St Bathans is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the St Bathans area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, St Bathans has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Sumner walks and hiking
Find out why Sumner is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Sumner area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Sumner has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Takaka walks and hiking
Find out why Takaka is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Takaka area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Takaka has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Tapanui walks and hiking
Find out why Tapanui is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Tapanui area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Tapanui has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Te Anau walks guide
Find out why Te Anau is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Te Anau area. Located in the stunning Fiordland National Park, South Island of New Zealand, has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Timaru walks and hiking
Find out why Timaru is a great place to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Timaru area. Timaru has plenty of great walking and hiking tracks.
Twizel walks and hiking
Find out why Twizel is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Twizel area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Twizel has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Waimangaroa walks and hiking
Find out why Waimangaroa is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Waimangaroa area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Waimangaroa has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Wanaka Walks and Hiking
Our best walks in Wanaka would be around Lake Wanaka or up Mt Iron for easy fitness. I haven’t managed to hike up Roys Peak yet, but Garry has and the hard slog to get to the summit was well worth it especially on a sunny day.
Westport walks and hiking
Find out why Westport is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Westport area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Westport has plenty of great walking and hiking.
Recommended clothing & gear for this walk
We’ve partnered with Macpac to bring you the very best hiking and walking gear designed exclusively for our New Zealand climate. They’ll ship for FREE within NZ on orders over $100 (if under $100 it’s only $5). International shipping is available except to the USA.
Womens Hiking Gear
Guided Walking Tours
What sort of walking and hiking gear will you need
We’ve partnered with Macpac outdoor walking & hiking gear to bring you the very best products designed exclusively for our New Zealand climate. They’ll ship for FREE within NZ on orders over $100 (if under $100 it’s only $5). Worldwide international shipping is available except to the USA. Bulky orders will be $20.