New Zealand Great Walks

Following our love for hikes and backpacking, me and my brother went to explore the famed Great Walks of New Zealand, places that promisse the best scenery in the country.

Of the nine possible tracks, which range from coastlines with beaches to dense rain forests and alpine terrain, we settled into doing the Tongariro Northern Circuit and the Routeburn Track.

Tongariro Northern Circuit

Located on the central plateau of the northern island, the Tongariro Circuit is a four day, 50km tramp that goes around Mount Ngauruhoe, an active volcano that lies between two others: the closer sibling Mount Tongariro to the north and Mount Ruapehu to the south. The second day of the walk featured an alpine crossing through rocky alien terrain peppered with sulfur infused esmerald lakes.

The first part of the climb. It’s possible to see the Mangatepopo Hut on the valley, and faraway on the horizon (130km to the west) a rare sight thanks to a clear day: Mount Taranaki.

The tree esmerald lakes.

Leaving the alpine crossing and descending into Oturere valley.

On the left Mount Ruapehu, on the right shy behind the fog Mount Ngauruhoe.

Korean singers performing country songs during a snack break.

Routeburn Track

On the southern island, the Routeburn Track walk sits between Mount Aspiring and the Fiordland National Parks. A 3 days, 33km walk that goes through meadows, alpine gardens and the beautifull Lake Mackenzie.

View of the Route Burn river and the Forge Flat.

The roofs of the Routeburn Falls Hut.

A high altitude alpine valley.

Lake Harris.

Harris Saddle, the mountain pass to the west side of that mountain range.

First view of the Lake Mackenzie and its Hut.