Are you looking to take on a multi-day walk in New Zealand but not sure where to start? This beginner guide shares some of the best introductory tramping trails on both the North and South Islands. Each track has manageable daily distances at a slow but steady pace, which is great for those new to long-distance walking.

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Long-distance walking tracks: To go guided or self-guided?
Preparing for a multi-day hike
5 New Zealand hiking trails for beginners

To go guided or self-guided? 

Beginner hikers can choose between a guided or self-guided walking holiday, depending on their comfort level. If you're new to following trails or navigating with maps, a guided trip is a great option. It removes the stress of planning and ensures you won’t get lost on remote tracks. Plus, you can gain a richer experience of the area from a local guide’s deep knowledge while sharing moments with other like-minded travellers in your small group. You may even make a few new friends along the way. 

If you feel confident marching your own beat and exploring independently, then a self-guided hike offers the perfect balance of freedom and convenience. It takes a load off arranging everything yourself with all the logistics covered. Accommodation, route maps, most meals, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for safety on the more remote trails, and luggage transfers are all included when travelling with Great Walks of New Zealand. That way, you can simply focus on enjoying the journey. 

Preparing for a multi-day hike 

While these longer-distance tracks are not exactly "easy," introductory graded multi-day hikes are designed for those with a reasonable level of fitness and good health. To prepare, we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic exercise – such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling – three times a week. Incorporating hill or stair walking with a 5-7kg daypack at least once a week will help build leg strength and stamina.

You can find some additional tips on fitness preparation in this article to make your walking holiday as enjoyable as possible. It's also a good idea to practice walking in varied weather to build endurance for the trail. 
 

5 New Zealand hiking trails for beginners

Kaikoura Coastal Walk, South Island 

Best for: Seal and bird spotting, wide open spaces, and geological wonders

Traverse the east coast of the South Island, walking along exposed headlands, undulating grazing land, native forest lands and narrow canyons. It’ll feel as if you are standing in a postcard. You’ll cross grazing land and ascend to cliff tops for sweeping coastal views by day and the serene countryside lulling you to sleep by night. 

For an extra thrill, you can scramble to the summit of Skull Peak. At 486 meters, it may not be the tallest peak, but it will make you feel like you have your head in the clouds. 

Duration: 4 days 
Start point: Kaikoura, situated roughly halfway between Picton and Christchurch on the east coast of the South Island.
End point: Ngaroma 

Highlights: There are plenty of opportunities to spot marine life such as dolphins, whales (in season) and many native birds, with seals sometimes coming ashore to rest on the beach. As you tread a stretch of beach, you’ll find it rich in geological specimens, including 8,000-year-old buried tree trunks, fossilised crustacean tunnels, and striking sediment layers. 

How to experience it: Kaikoura Self-Guided Coastal Walk →

Waiheke Island Trails, North Island

Best for: Rugged coastal headlands, beach swims, and fresh local produce

Escape to an island just a short 30-minute ferry ride from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Waiheke Island offers an eclectic mix of artisan culture, fine food and wine, rich Maori history, and stunning nature walks. 

While trails are undulating, they offer a variety of forest scenery, coastlines, rolling hills and beautiful secluded bays. Passing through regenerating reserves and award-winning vineyards, enjoy the chance to take a refreshing swim at pristine sandy beaches. 

The great thing about a centred-based walk is that you only unpack once. By staying at the same centrally-located accommodation every night, you simply carry a daypack on your walks.

Duration: 5 days (3 days of trail walking) 
Start and end point: Auckland, catching a return ferry to Waiheke Island.

Highlights: Enjoy stunning views of Hauraki Gulf islands and the Coromandel Peninsula and take a refreshing swim at one of several beaches along the way. Indulge in delicious food and wine from local vineyards and feel the vibrant artistic character of the island – spending time at local galleries and sculpture gardens. 

How to experience it: Best of Waiheke – Guided or Self-Guided Walk → 

Island Hills Trails, South Island

Best for: A true NZ experience defined by rugged mountains, lush bush and local stories

Looking for a real slice of New Zealand that most travellers miss? The high country of Island Hills Station might be just what you're after. Tucked away in the Canterbury region, explore paths less travelled, fresh local produce, and truly immerse in Kiwi wilderness and history. If it's your first time in the area or you’re just starting out on multi-day hikes, this walking holiday offers a truly unique South Island experience.

Hear from a local track ranger, dive into the rich history of the area, and get a glimpse into high country station life from many years ago. You'll walk through a private conservation reserve, learning about the land’s heritage and the conservation efforts that keep it wild and untouched.

Duration: 5 days (3 days of trail walking) 
Start and end point: Christchurch, return transfers to Island Hills.

Highlights: Visitor numbers are capped, making this a peaceful, personal experience with exclusive access to 30 kilometres of private trails. What makes this hike even more special is that it’s part of a working sheep, cattle, and honey farm. 

How to experience it: Experience these private trails guided or self guided. With limited lodge spaces for just 10, booking early is a must.

Banks Track, South Island

Best for: Wildlife spotting, witnessing native vegetation, and sea cliff vistas

Beginning at the scenic seaside town of Akaroa, known for its French influence, explore dramatic coastlines and incredible volcanic landscapes in a usually inaccessible region. On this exclusive Banks Peninsula self-guided hike, you'll tread paths that remain off-limits to the general public, winding through a 13,500-hectare wildlife regeneration project. 

This rare opportunity grants you a privileged view of the diverse flora and fauna in a region most travellers never get to explore. Tramping mostly on grass, bush, and farm tracks, the highest point of the walk is at 699m, where a 360-degree panorama of the peninsula and beyond awaits. On a clear day, you may even spot Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain (3724m). 

Duration: 5 days (3 days of walking)
Location: Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island
Start and end point: Akaroa 

Highlights: Witness native wildlife including Fur Seals, sea birds, rare Hector's Dolphin sightseeing in the harbour, Moulting penguins (viewed in January and February), and the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony on the mainland (between October and December). You can also pre-book a guided sea kayak excursion on the Flea Bay shoreline to observe the marine life.

How to experience it: Banks Peninsula Self-Guided Walk, which includes 3 nights at delightful farm cottages.

Abel Tasman Coast Track, South Island

Best for: Endless sunshine, golden beaches, and crystal-clear waters

This is your chance to experience one of NZ’s best hikes; no expert hiking skills required. Just pack your sense of adventure! If you're a beginner hiker keen to explore New Zealand’s South Island, the Abel Tasman Coast 'Great Walk' Track is calling your name! It's the perfect mix of adventure and coastal beauty with an easygoing vibe.

Duration: from 4 days 
Starting point: Nelson
Ending point: Marahau estuary, transfer by bus back to Motueka and onwards to Nelson.

Highlights: You’ll cross a 47-metre suspension bridge, wander through the stunning Awaroa Inlet, and cool off at Cleopatra’s Pool – complete with a natural waterslide! Plus, enjoy all the home comforts of staying at private lodges with charming local heritage.

How to experience it: Abel Tasman Coast Track – Guided or Self Guided →