Tramping is possibly the most popular activity in New Zealand and is widely available throughout the country. Tramping is just Kiwi talk for hiking, trekking or bush walking. With its vast, varied and magnificent topography, New Zealand offers some top notch tramping trails and tracks, with fabulous vistas and scenic panoramas to discover. A great way to see New Zealand’s incredible natural landscape up close and personal, tramping is a wonderful way to also explore New Zealand’s stunning countryside.

In New Zealand there are literally thousands of kilometers of tramping trials and tracks available for avid hikers. Most of these trails are well marked out; however, some trails are in better condition than others. Along many of these tramping tracks you will find a series of tiny huts and shelters, which can be used to live in as you make your way along the trail. This is done so that trampers and hikers do not have to carry around heavy camping equipment especially when they are involved in multi-day hikes.

Most tramping tracks can be found in New Zealand’s 14 national parks spread out all over the country. If you are interested in tramping in a park it is advisable to contact the Department of Conservation, which looks after the parks and ask them for a detailed map of the area. This is so that you can be up-to-date on the conditions that each track offers.

The best time to go tramping is during the summer between December and February in most national parks, when the weather is at its best.

Great Walks

With tramping being so popular in New Zealand, there are a number of Great Walks to enjoy. These trails offer some of the best scenery and some truly spectacular areas to explore. There are Great Walks on hand in New Zealand.

The Abel Tasman Coastal Track in the Abel Tasman National Park
The Heaphy Track inside the Kahurangi National Park
The Kepler Track inside the Fiordland National Park
The Lake Waikaremoana Track in the Te Urewera National Park
The Milford Track in the Fiordland National Park
The Raikura Track on Stewart Island
The Routeburn Track in the Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks
The Tongariro Northern Curcuit in the Tongariro National Park
And, the Whanganui Journey. Technically this is a canoe down the Whanganui River.