views of the Hooker Valley from the Sealy Tarns Track in Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury. Photo / Getty Images
views of the Hooker Valley from the Sealy Tarns Track in Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury. Photo / Getty Images
Dodge the crowds or aim for Insta-fame on these off-the-beaten-track day hikes, writes Martina Grossi
From river walks to alpine tracks and nature sanctuaries, hikers of all levels can find never-ending tramping treats in Aotearoa. Here are some of the South Island's best options for a day walk.
1. Lake Clearwater Circuit, Canterbury
Dodge the crowds and visit one of the South Island's best-kept secrets. Canterbury's Lake Clearwater Circuit is part of the Hakatere Conservation Park, and one of the many backcountry lakes located around the Ashburton area. Not many people know about these, which is a shame as they are genuinely remarkable.
This hike is an easy lake loop with no altitude gain, which makes it great for families. Over winter, enjoy snow-capped mountain views, or head there on a sunny, windless day and gaze at the mountains reflected on the lake.
Level: Easy Average time needed: 3 hours Distance: 10km Get there: Park at the Lake Clearwater carpark. The hike starts there.
Lake Clearwater. Photo / Mid Canterbury NZ
2. Torea Bay to Anakiwa, Marlborough
The Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds is frequently overlooked by trampers eager to check out New Zealand's Great Walks. But this 70km hike connecting the Queen Charlotte Sound with the Kenepuru Sound is a true beauty worth exploring.
Day trampers keen to see the best of Queen Charlotte can go to Torea Bay and walk the last 20km of the trail, finishing in Anakiwa. The highlight? The climb to the highest point of the track, at 400m, treats visitors to panoramic views of the sounds. You can also go for a splash in Mistletoe Bay.
Level: Easy-Intermediate Average time needed: 5-6 hours Distance: 20km Get there: A 20-minute water taxi trip from Picton to Torea Bay
The calm and lush beauty of the West Coast's Pororari River, combined with limestone cliffs, valleys, and New Zealand's native forest at its best, make for an untamed day out. The walk can be tackled year-round and is a good option if you don't have time to tackle the multi-day Paparoa Track.
The Pororari Loop is located in the Paparoa National Park, just a few minutes' walk from the famed Pancake Rocks.
Level: Easy Average time needed: 3 hours Distance: 11km Get there: This is a loop, with nearby starting and ending points. Start from the Punakaiki Visitor Centre or the Pororari River car park.
4. Mt Thomas Summit Track, North Canterbury
Those eager to enjoy more of an advanced hike just one hour away from Christchurch should give Mt Thomas a go. This is a steep track where you gain about 700m in altitude in just under 2 hours.
Even though the Summit Track is safe to walk, the trail goes through uneven tree roots, rocky and muddy terrain, so caution is advised.
The panorama of the Canterbury Plains from the summit is stunning, which makes this hike a great and intense half or full-day adventure. You can hike down on the same trail or via the Ridge or Wooded Gully Tracks, indicated at the top.
Level: Intermediate-Advanced Average time needed: 4 hours return Distance: 10.5km Get there: Located one hour north of Christchurch. To start the hike, park at the Wooded Gully camping area
5. Sealy Tarns, Canterbury
There's a lot to choose from when visiting the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park area. With many short and easy hikes, it's recommended to devote three to four days to explore the valleys, glaciers, lakes and mountains surrounding New Zealand's highest peak.
Sealy Tarns is a three to four-hour return hike that's dubbed the "Stairway to Heaven" as it's essentially a long, steep staircase. Trampers must climb 2200 steps and up 600m from the base of the Kea Point Track to the freshwater lakes of Sealy Tarns.
This is not a summit trail, but a halfway stop on the climb to Mueller Hut. Sealy Tarns offers gorgeous, dramatic views, and a place to hang out overlooking Mt Cook.
The climb can be demanding as you gain altitude quite fast, and the steps can be hard on one's knees when coming down.
Level: Easy-Intermediate Average time needed: 3-4 hours Distance: 5.8km Get there: Park at the end of the Hooker Valley Track, about 3km from the village.
Roys Peak Track, Wanaka. Photo / Vincent Branciforti
6. Roys Peak, Wānaka
Roys Peak is one of New Zealand's most famous hikes and when our international borders were open, was gaining infamy for the hordes of people lining up to get that famous photo for their social media accounts.
Located only 6km from Wānaka, it's very easy to reach and the views at the top are breathtaking year-round; it's especially popular at sunrise. It's steep and reasonably challenging fitness-wise - you climb 1200m - but still safe.
With no international visitors for a while, now's the time to visit - you won't have to queue quite so long to get your summit photo. Note that the track is closed for lambing from Oct 1 to November 10 each year.
Level: Intermediate Average time needed: 5-6 hours Distance: 16km Get there: Just a 10-minute drive from Wānaka. There's a carpark at the base of the track.
The hiking path leading to Luxmore Hut along Kepler Track in Te Anau, one of New Zealand's multi-day Great Walks. Photo / Getty Images
7. Mt Luxmore Summit, Fiordland
For an action-packed, full-day adventure, plan to hike from the Kepler Track's carpark to the summit of Mt Luxmore - the first section of the Kepler Track Great Walk.
It climbs through native forest until reaching Mt Luxmore hut, and then finishes with a one-hour ridge walk to the summit. Walkable during the spring and summer months, it's best to start hiking just before sunrise. There's a proper gain of altitude, going from 250m to 1470m, which makes for a very long day, so plan accordingly.
Level: Intermediate Average time needed: 8-10 hours return Distance: Approx 28km Get there: Park at the Kepler Track carpark, only 5km from central Te Anau.
8. Ulva Island, Southland
When visiting Rakiura Stewart Island, head to Ulva Island and walk around this unique bird and nature sanctuary. This is the easiest walk on this round-up, but the native flora and fauna make it well worth your time.
Ulva Island is predator-free and belongs to the Rakiura National Park. Here, you can count a dozen bird species in just a few minutes' walk, relax and enjoy solitude at the beach. The whole signposted loop track on the island's northwest takes only two hours, but allow three to make the most of it.
Level: Easiest Average time needed: 3 hours Distance: 5km Get there: 20-minute ferry ride from Golden Bay
Check weather and track alerts before you depart, and be prepared for changing conditions.
Some of these day hikes are just sections of longer trails. Decide beforehand how much time you'll devote to each, or if you'd rather spend the night in the area.
Tell someone where you are going, and when you're expecting to return.
Ensure you have the necessary gear and equipment, including suitable footwear and clothing, sun protection, food, water and emergency provisions.
