Mountain Hikes in New Zealand

Trek the UNESCO-listed Tongariro Alpine Crossing through emerald crater lakes and steaming volcanic vents, then summit Arthur's Pass to Edwards Hut with river crossings where you might spot greater spotted kiwi. Paddle a traditional Māori waka along Abel Tasman's golden coastline to Adele Island seal colony, then hike to Aoraki/Mt Cook's Sealy Tarns for Mount Sefton's glacial icefall views.

This 9-day trek brings you through Nelson Lakes National Park on the Travers-Sabine Circuit, where you'll cross Poukirikiri/Travers Saddle at 5,900 feet and see views stretching across the Southern Alps. You'll hike to Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake, the world's clearest freshwater lake with 83-meter visibility, then climb to Lake Constance at 4,400 feet.

Walk the 17-mile Nydia Track through Paparoa National Park's ancient silver fern forests, crossing rivers and passing limestone gorges as you climb over the Kaiuma and Nydia saddles. The Lewis Tops Track takes you higher through beech forests to alpine tussock at 2,159 feet, where you'll spot tarns in the Southern Alps.

Hike to the summit of Mount John for 360-degree views of the Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo's turquoise waters during this 2-3 hour trek. Take on Mount Iron in Wanaka, where you'll see sweeping vistas of the Pisa Range, Upper Clutha Basin, and the towering Southern Alps. Walk trails through Mount Cook/Aoraki National Park, where New Zealand's tallest peak rises to 3,724 meters above alpine landscapes.