New Zealand's South Island is a hiker's paradise, boasting some of the most diverse and breathtaking landscapes on the planet. From snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes to ancient rainforests and dramatic fjords, the terrain offers endless opportunities for memorable hiking adventures.
As specialists in New Zealand travel, we've selected our top five South Island hikes that showcase the remarkable natural beauty of Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand). These trails range from easy day walks to challenging multi-day treks, ensuring there's something for every fitness level and time frame.
1. Routeburn Track: The Perfect Introduction to Great Walks
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's nine Great Walks and offers a perfect blend of accessibility and spectacular scenery. Traversing both Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, this 32-kilometer trail takes hikers through stunning alpine landscapes, alongside crystal-clear rivers, and past breathtaking waterfalls.
Trail Overview
- Distance: 32 kilometers (19.9 miles)
- Duration: 2-3 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Starting point: Either Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy) or The Divide (on the Milford Road)
- Best time to hike: Late October to April (the official Great Walks season)
What makes the Routeburn Track special is its incredible diversity of landscapes packed into a relatively short distance. The trail begins in beech forest before climbing to expose spectacular mountain views. Key highlights include the Earland Falls (174m high), the emerald waters of Lake Mackenzie, and the panoramic vistas from Conical Hill, where on clear days you can see all the way to the Tasman Sea.
Local insight: While most Great Walks require booking Department of Conservation (DOC) huts months in advance during peak season, the Routeburn Track can also be experienced as a day hike from either end. The Routeburn Flats (from Glenorchy) is a 15km return trip that showcases beautiful river scenery and mountain views, perfect for those who couldn't secure overnight bookings.
2. Kepler Track: A Purpose-Built Showcase of Fiordland
Unlike many of New Zealand's trails that began as Māori pathways or routes used by early European settlers, the Kepler Track was custom-designed to showcase the very best of Fiordland's landscapes. This 60-kilometer loop track takes hikers through an incredible variety of environments, from peaceful lakeshores and moss-laden beech forests to exposed alpine ridgelines with some of the most spectacular views in New Zealand.
Trail Overview
- Distance: 60 kilometers (37.3 miles)
- Duration: 3-4 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Starting/ending point: Kepler Track car park, Te Anau
- Best time to hike: Late October to April
The Kepler Track's major highlight is the section between Luxmore Hut and Iris Burn Hut, where hikers traverse a dramatic alpine ridge with panoramic views of Lake Te Anau, the surrounding mountains, and on clear days, all the way to the distant Southern Ocean. The trail also features impressive limestone formations, including caves near Luxmore Hut that are worth exploring with a headlamp.
Local insight: The Kepler Track's loop format makes it logistically easier than other Great Walks, as no transportation arrangements are needed between the start and finish. For a magnificent day hike option, take a water taxi across Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay and then climb to Luxmore Hut (around 8 hours return) for stunning panoramic views without needing to tackle the entire track.
3. Abel Tasman Coast Track: Golden Beaches and Turquoise Waters
For a completely different South Island hiking experience, the Abel Tasman Coast Track showcases New Zealand's most stunning coastline. Located in the sunniest region of New Zealand, this 60-kilometer track follows the golden shores of Abel Tasman National Park, weaving through native forest, across clear streams, and along perfect crescent beaches with incredibly clear turquoise waters.
Trail Overview
- Distance: 60 kilometers (37.3 miles)
- Duration: 3-5 days
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Starting point: Marahau or Wainui
- Best time to hike: Year-round, though busiest December through February
What sets the Abel Tasman Coast Track apart is its accessibility and flexibility. The track can be walked in its entirety or broken into sections, with water taxis providing access to different entry and exit points. This allows hikers to customize their experience based on time constraints and fitness levels. The numerous beaches along the way provide perfect rest stops and swimming opportunities during summer months.
Highlights include the famous split-apple rock near Marahau, the swing bridge over Falls River, Cleopatra's Pool (a natural rock pool with a moss-lined water slide), and the spectacular views from Separation Point, where you may spot fur seals basking on the rocks below.
Local insight: Consider combining walking with kayaking for the ultimate Abel Tasman experience. Many operators offer packages where you can kayak certain sections and walk others, giving you both land and sea perspectives of this stunning coastline. Bark Bay to Torrent Bay is a particularly scenic section to kayak, with beautiful clear waters and the chance to explore sea caves at low tide.
4. Hooker Valley Track: Alpine Splendor for All Abilities
Not all significant hiking experiences require multi-day commitments or advanced fitness levels. The Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park delivers one of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine landscapes on a relatively easy 10-kilometer return journey that can be completed in 3-4 hours.
Trail Overview
- Distance: 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) return
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Starting point: White Horse Hill Campground, Mount Cook Village
- Best time to hike: Year-round, though winter may bring snow and avalanche risk
The Hooker Valley Track follows the Hooker River through a dramatic glacial valley, with three swing bridges adding excitement to the journey. The trail culminates at the glacial Hooker Lake, where you're rewarded with breathtaking views of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook (3,724 meters), often with icebergs floating in the milky turquoise waters of the lake.
The well-maintained gravel track with minimal elevation gain makes this hike accessible to most visitors, including families with children. Despite its accessibility, the scenery rivals that of much more challenging hikes, making it one of the best effort-to-reward ratios of any walk in New Zealand.
Local insight: For the most magical experience, start the Hooker Valley Track about 90 minutes before sunrise. Not only will you likely have the trail to yourself, but witnessing the first light hitting the peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook from Hooker Lake is an unforgettable sight. Bring a thermos of hot tea or coffee to enjoy while watching the sunrise over the mountains.
5. Roy's Peak Track: The Most Photographed View in New Zealand
If you've seen stunning photos of hikers standing on a narrow ridge with panoramic lake and mountain views in New Zealand, chances are they were taken at Roy's Peak. Located near Wanaka, this challenging day hike rewards serious effort with arguably the most Instagram-worthy views in the country.
Trail Overview
- Distance: 16 kilometers (10 miles) return
- Duration: 5-7 hours
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Starting point: Roy's Peak car park, 6km from Wanaka
- Best time to hike: October to April (closed for lambing season from October 1-10)
Don't underestimate this hike based on its relatively short distance. The trail climbs relentlessly from the car park, gaining over 1,200 meters of elevation on an exposed track with little shade. However, the 360-degree views from the summit are truly spectacular, encompassing Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring National Park, and the surrounding Southern Alps.
The famous viewpoint with the zigzagging ridge isn't actually at the summit but about 30 minutes before it. Many hikers stop here for photos, but continuing to the actual peak provides even more expansive views and often fewer crowds.
Local insight: Roy's Peak has become extremely popular, with queues forming at the viewpoint during peak season. For a less crowded alternative with equally impressive views, consider the nearby Isthmus Peak Track (16km return). Alternatively, start Roy's Peak very early (pre-dawn with headlamps) to reach the viewpoint for sunrise, which not only provides magical lighting for photos but also means you'll beat the crowds on your descent.
Planning Your New Zealand Hiking Adventure
When to Hike
The South Island hiking season generally runs from late October to April, when mountain passes are free from snow and weather is more stable. However, each trail has its optimal periods:
- Summer (December-February): Peak season with longer daylight hours but the busiest trails and huts
- Autumn (March-April): Cooler temperatures, beautiful fall colors, and fewer crowds
- Spring (October-November): Wildflowers blooming and rushing waterfalls from melting snow, but weather can be more changeable
- Winter (June-August): Many alpine trails are snow-covered and require advanced skills and equipment, but coastal tracks like Abel Tasman remain accessible
Essential Gear
Even on day hikes, New Zealand's weather can change rapidly. Always carry:
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- Layers of warm clothing (even in summer)
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Hat and sunscreen (the NZ sun is intense with high UV levels)
- First aid kit
- Plenty of water and high-energy snacks
- Map, compass, and/or GPS device
- Personal locator beacon (PLB) for remote hikes (these can be rented)
Booking Information
New Zealand's Great Walks (including the Routeburn, Kepler, and Abel Tasman Coast Track) require advance bookings for huts and campsites through the Department of Conservation website. For the most popular tracks in peak season (December-February), bookings should be made 6-9 months in advance when the booking system opens (usually in June for the following season).
Day walks like Hooker Valley and Roy's Peak don't require bookings, but car parks can fill quickly during peak season, so an early start is recommended.
Hiking Etiquette and Conservation
New Zealand takes conservation seriously, and there are some important principles to follow:
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile alpine environments
- Pack out all rubbish - there are no bins on most trails
- Check, clean, and dry gear before hiking to prevent spreading invasive species
- Respect wildlife by observing from a distance
- Follow the "Leave No Trace" principles to preserve these beautiful landscapes for future hikers
The South Island of New Zealand offers some of the world's most spectacular hiking opportunities, with trails suitable for every fitness level and time frame. From easy day walks with incredible mountain views to challenging multi-day adventures through diverse landscapes, these five hikes represent the very best of what New Zealand has to offer outdoor enthusiasts.
At MonisParaf Travel, our New Zealand specialists can help you incorporate these hiking experiences into a comprehensive journey through Aotearoa. Our New Zealand Adventure journey includes guided walks on several of the trails mentioned, with expert local guides who bring the natural and cultural history of the landscapes to life.
Whether you're an experienced trekker seeking multi-day challenges or simply want to experience New Zealand's majestic scenery on shorter walks, the South Island's trails promise unforgettable adventures and photograph-worthy moments at every turn. Lace up your boots, pack your sense of adventure, and prepare to be amazed by the natural wonders that await on New Zealand's most scenic hiking trails.
