Category: Hiking

The Pouakai circuit is a 2-3 day adventure located in Egmont National Park on New Zealand’s North Island. The track starts at the North Egmont Visitor’s centre, which is a 30 minute drive from New Plymouth.

Syme Hut, located on Fanthams Peak / Panitahi, is located in Egmont National Park on New Zealand’s North Island. The track starts at the Dawson Falls DoC visitor centre, which is about a 45 minute drive from the town of Stanford.

The Travers-Sabine circuit is a 4-7 day, loop track located in Nelson Lakes National Park, near St. Arnaud, on New Zealand’s South Island. It traverses the Travers Valley, crosses the Travers Saddle, and weaves through the Sabine Valley, passing Lake Rotoroa and Lake Rotoiti on the way.

The Rees-Dart Track is a 4-day, point-to-point track located in Mount Aspiring National Park, near Glenorchy, on New Zealand’s South Island. It traverses the Rees Valley and Dart Valley, ending literally in a town called “Paradise”.

I completed this track in January 2025 over four days and three nights. In particular, the first and second day of this track were stunning.

French Ridge Hut, another one of those iconic red alpine huts, is located in the West Matukituki Valley on New Zealand’s South Island. It is accessed via the West Matukituki Track and the Liverpool Track, which start at the Raspberry Flat car park, an hour’s drive from Wanaka.

The Gillespie Pass circuit is located in Mount Aspiring National Park, near the town of Makarora on New Zealand’s South Island. It traverses the Young Valley, the Siberia Valley, and the Wilkin Valley, showcasing rugged peaks and braided blue rivers the whole way through.

Mueller Hut, one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine huts, is located in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. It is accessed by the Mueller Hut track, which starts at the White Horse Campground, an hour’s drive north of Twizel.