Are you the type of person who loves to experience the outdoors when traveling with family? If you are, then you will love all the hikes in New Zealand you can do during a family vacation. A hike in New Zealand can be a casual stroll. It can also be a days-long adventure filled with a few thrills. Of course, you also have some of the best hikes in New Zealand that only take a couple of hours. No matter which one you choose, they all offer incredible views. But which hikes to tackle during a vacation in New Zealand? Today, I am going to share a few hikes you should consider for your New Zealand vacation.  You can add these in between all the best things for families to do in New Zealand. 

Best Hikes in New Zealand

Best Hikes in New Zealand on the North Island 

Cathedral Cove 

Okay, so this hike sounds simple with a nice name that makes you think of weddings. Thankfully, this hike in New Zealand lives up to its name!  

You will find the trail leading to Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula. The trail includes sections of concrete, stairs, and a wooden boardwalk. The entire two-mile trail takes you through a forest. When you reach the end, you will be within Cathedral Cove.  

This cove is a beachy area. There are a few small caves you can explore with your family. Don’t forget your camera, because the offshore rock formations are worthy of a few pictures.  

Kamahi Loop Track 

The Kamahi Loop Track can be found within Egmont National Park. This is one of the shortest hikes in New Zealand. It only takes approximately fifteen minutes to walk this trail.  

Tell the kids a story that relates to goblins during this walk through the karahi trees. At the end of the story, tell them they just survived a walk through Goblin Forest. Guaranteed, they will want to walk the loop again to look for the goblins.  

Rangitoto Island Loop 

If your family is interested in taking this best hike in New Zealand, you must be prepared to take the ferry to reach the starting point. After all, as the name suggests, this trail is on Rangitoto Island.  

This seven-and-a-half-mile trail will take your family through a pohutukawa forest. Near the summit, you will all have fabulous views of the Hauraki Gulf, as well as the city of Auckland.  

There are lava caves at the summit too. Make sure you have a flashlight or two with you, so you can explore them.  

This is one of the hikes in New Zealand that you will want to make sure you are fully prepared for. Once you reach the island, you won’t find any stores. Therefore, if you run out of food or water, you are out of luck until you get back to the mainland.  

Mount Maunganui Summit 

The trail that leads to the Mount Maunganui Summit is about two miles long. Crushed gravel makes up most of this hiking trail. There are stairs, too, so keep that in mind.  

It can be cloudy at the top on most days. But the slightly obstructed views are still worth the quick hike to the top.  

Te Werahi Loop 

The Te Werahi Loop trail can be found at the northernmost point of the North Island in New Zealand. It is within the Te Paki Recreation Reserve. This trail is well-marked, so you won’t need to worry about going off-course.  

You can choose to just walk along the trail near the beach. This section of the trail will take about three hours. However, you can walk the entire loop in approximately six hours. So, it all depends on how much hiking your family wants to do during this vacation in New Zealand.  

Southern Walkway 

The Southern Walkway is six and a half miles each way. Most people will start at one end and stop when they reach the other end. However, you can walk both ways if you want.  

Thankfully, it is simple to stop at the end and take public transportation back to your starting point. This is due to the trail being so close to the city. In fact, you can wander off the trail to visit nearby coffee shops and stores the entire time.  

Best Hikes in New Zealand on the South Island 

Tiki Trail 

The Tiki Trail is near Queenstown. The trail is just over a mile long. It is quite steep. You must walk through forested areas to reach the top. It is worth it, though, to see the spectacular views of the city and bay.  

If you cannot handle this steep trail, don’t worry. You can always enjoy the views from the nearby gondola ride.  

Mount Robert Circuit 

If your family is interested in seeing Lake Rotoiti, as well as the town of Saint Arnaud, from a different perspective, head out on the Mount Robert Circuit.  

This hike isn’t too steep. It takes you through a beech forest before allowing you to break out into the open air. This is where you will find yourselves surrounded by alpine herbs.  

The Mount Robert Circuit is five miles long. Start early to ensure you have enough time. Oh, and wear layers. It starts out chilly and then gets warm under the sun. Additional layers may be needed for the windy conditions at the top.  

Hooker Valley Track 

The Hooker Valley Track is seven miles long. Don’t panic and think you can’t possibly hike that far in New Zealand. There is very little elevation gain during this hike. So, it won’t be anything more than a walk in the park.  

In between views of Hooker Lake, Mueller Glacier, and alpine streams, you will have a few adventures. Three swing bridges add to the fun of this easy-to-do hike in New Zealand.  

Rob Roy Glacier Track 

You will find this glacier track within Mount Aspiring National Park. Pack a lunch to enjoy near one of the waterfalls you discover along the way. Or keep your lunch in the bag until you have reached the viewing point. Either way, you will enjoy fabulous views together as a family.  

This hike in New Zealand is six miles long. Start early so you have time to stop and appreciate the beauty all around you.  

Cape Foulwind Walkway 

One of the best places to see fur seals in New Zealand is while hiking along Cape Foulwind Walkway. This walkway is four miles round trip. It is an easy walk that is near a beach. You can easily combine this hike in New Zealand with your beach day. 

Everyone in your family will learn about this area from the interpretation signs along the walkway. You will even learn a few things about the nearby lighthouse.  

Lake Matheson Loop Track 

If your family isn’t the type to hit the trails for a hike, I have you covered. The Lake Matheson Loop Track is a short, looped trail. It is only about a mile and a half long.  

Take your camera because you will be amazed at how picturesque this lake truly is. You can easily do this walk in an hour. However, I recommend planning on a couple of hours, so you have time to take as many pictures as you would like.  

Remember, this family vacation is all about making memories. And these hikes are one of the best ways to capture those memories that will last a lifetime.  

These are some of the best hikes in New Zealand. If your family loves the outdoors, I recommend you tackle one or two of them during your vacation in New Zealand. Of course, I can help plan your itinerary for your family vacation. This will ensure you have time to complete a few hikes while also visiting the attractions you want to see the most. We can talk about all the possibilities when we get together to chat.  You can easily learn a little more about a vacation in New Zealand by reading my travel guide. 

So, are you ready to book a family vacation and tackle a couple of these best hikes in New Zealand?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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