After almost two years hiking our way around the North Island of New Zealand, it’s fair to say we have trodden on a lot of day-hiking tracks. We’ve done over 30 day hikes on the North Island, and from those hikes we have compiled this list of the best 10 day hikes on the North Island of Aotearoa. We truly believe one of the best ways to see a country is to get out into the wild natural spaces of it. These day hikes will help you to do just that! Pick just one or tick off all ten to really see the best the North Island has to offer. Just make sure you have some good hiking shoes, a well-packed bag and a sense of adventure for these epic day hikes.
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We aren’t any good at ranking things from 1 to 10, so we have ordered these hikes from the top of the North Island down to the very bottom. We have included little notes on who favoured what hike and why they all made the list. We just couldn’t rank them because in our minds they are all sitting firmly at the top!
Kairaara Rocks – Dukes Nose Track
Nathan’s all-time favourite North Island hike!
Distance: 13 kms
Duration: 6 hrs
Difficulty: Hard. The track has a challenging rock climb at the end and a couple of river crossings along the way. This one is for experienced hikers.
Local iwi: Ngātiwai
Best For: Peaceful bush walk with epic coastal views at the end.
This is by far one of the best day hikes to do in Northland and one of our favourites in the North Island too. The views out to Whangaparāoa Harbour from the top of Kaiaraara Rocks are breathtaking for more than one reason! To reach the top and to get the views, you’ll need to climb up a near-vertical rock face. Your only aid to get up there is a fixed metal rail. It’s not for the faint of heart! Nathan found this climb to be one of the highlights of the entire trail. Tiff, on the other hand, almost didn’t attempt it. If it weren’t for her fear of missing out on the views, she wouldn’t have gone up. It was so worth the scary climb, though; I mean, just look at that view!
There is no parking at the start of the track, so you’ll need to pay $5 for a spot at the nearby private parking just off Campbell Road. The track out to the Kaiaraara rocks is rather technical, with some muddy, slippery inclines and two stream crossings that you really need to take your boots off for. It is, however, a stunning walk, even before you get to the views at the top of the rocks. The Kaiaraara rocks themselves are of great cultural significance to the Ngātiwai people, so please respect their request to not eat or drink on the rocks themselves. There is a lovely day hut at the bay just before you start the climb up to the rocks, which is the perfect place to have a picnic lunch by the water.
Rangitoto Summit Loop
Distance: 14km
Duration: 5 hrs, although it’s worth spending the entire day on the island so you aren’t rushed and can take your time swimming at the beach spots.
Difficulty: Moderate
Local iwi: Ngāi Tai
Best For: Island hikes and climbing a volcano!
One of our favourite days out in Tāmaki-makau-rau (Auckland). This incredible volcanic island hike has it all. From a ferry ride to get to the island, a climb up to the top of the volcanic cone and some lava caves to top it all off. The beaches found on the island are stunning as well, so pack your bathers (or togs if you’re Kiwi) for a dip during the hike. The views along the way are stunning and well worth the climb to the top. Pack yourself a picnic and spend the day tramping around the island.
Starting at the wharf where the ferry drops you off, follow the signs for Rangitoto Summit. It’s a well-formed track that leads you to the top of the volcano. You’ll pass through some pōhutukawa trees, but the dominant landscape is that of volcanic rock and lava flows. It’s rather otherworldly to walk through. You’ll then descend the volcano and loop around the side of the island, taking in some secluded bays along the hike back to your ferry. Check out the full hike here.
Auckland Coast to Coast
Distance: 20 km, including the walks to get to the start from the train station and wandering around some of the parks you walk through along the way. If you don’t side quest like we did, it’s only 16.4 km total.
Duration: 7 hrs, including plenty of photo stops and snack breaks at the many parks
Difficulty: Moderate
Local iwi: 19 different iwi
Best For: First-time day hikers and getting to see the many sides of Auckland in one day.
This was our first proper hike or tramp in New Zealand, and we still think of it fondly as one of our favourite North Island hikes. This Coast to Coast hike, which is a 16.4 km hike from, you guessed it, the west coast to the east coast, is the easiest way to say you have walked across the country! It highlights a lot of major attractions in Auckland, from stunning parks and picturesque streets to sacred sites like Maungawhau (Mt Eden), which has the best views in Auckland.
If you only have one full day in Tāmaki-makau-rau, then this is the best way to see it all! An added bonus is that it’s also a super cheap day out in the big city. All you have to pay for is the train ride to the starting location and parking at the end. Alternatively, if you have someone to drop you at the start, then it will be free, perhaps minus a cheeky celebratory beverage at Viaduct Harbour when you arrive at the end of the hike.
We had a blast and loved getting to see so much of the city in such a short time. In terms of introducing yourself to day hikes, you really can’t go wrong with this one. We definitely recommend it as a way to see if you like day hiking, as that’s exactly what we did with it! If you find it’s too long for you, it’s easy to bail out on hiking and grab some public transport or one of the many e-scooters you’ll see along the walk. To see all the cool places you’ll take in on this hike, check out our dedicated blog post here.
Kauaeranga Kauri Pinnacles Trail
Distance: 14.7 km
Duration: 6.5 hrs
Difficulty: Hard
Local iwi: Ngāti Maru
Best For: Rocky castle views and lush riverside walkways.
The Kauaeranga Kauri trail, or the Pinnacles walk, is a very popular hike in the Coromandel, and for good reason. This was the very last hike we did in Aotearoa before packing up our vanlife adventure and heading to Australia for a new chapter. We loved every minute of it, from the climb up through the lush green trees of Coromandel’s Forest Park to the rocky outcrop forming the pinnacles. It’s a hard hike to the top, but the undulating nature of the steady climb helps to ease the effort to get up there. We were surrounded by birdsong as we wandered the shady paths crisscrossing Webb Creek; the rocky creek banks were amongst our favourite picnic stops we’ve had on any hike. We really loved this walk and found it was so much more than just the view from the top.
You will need some good hiking knowledge to tackle the Pinnacles, with a steep rocky climb up ladders and rungs to get to the views. There are also a few river crossings that shouldn’t be attempted after heavy rain. So check the weather before you head out, especially if you want a good view from the top! We have heard it can be rather hard to time this one to avoid the clouds hugging the rocky castle that is the Pinnacles. We got lucky on our trip; whilst there were clouds, they were high enough that we could still see out to the coastline and beyond! We detailed every stopping point of the hike here if you’d like to take a further look.
Footprints of Toi: Nga Tapuwae o Toi
Distance: 16.7km
Duration: 6 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Local iwi: Ngāti Awa
Best For: Beaches and bush all in one epic day hike.
The must-do walking trail to experience all the best of the Whakatāne district. Along the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, or the ‘Footprints of Toi’ trail, you’ll come across pā sites of great historical significance; stunning coastal views from high cliff tops down to walking on pristine beaches; lush native forests with beautiful Pōhutukawa trees (the New Zealand Christmas tree); and many native birds.
The trail is difficult in places but well worth the effort for these incredible sites. Be sure to make the most of this coastal walk by taking a dip in the ocean on your lunch break along the beach. We love a good coastal walk, and this one really delivered by taking you to some very secluded little bays as well as the major beaches of the area. You’ll still get some beautiful walks through the bush to really round out your day in Whakatāne. Take a look at the highlights with us in our dedicated blog post here and get all the information you need to follow in the footprints of Toi yourself.
Tarawera Trail
Distance: 16km
Duration: 5 hrs, including a decent break to soak in the hot-pool halfway along the trail
Difficulty: Hard, especially so if you managed to injure yourself along the way….
Local iwi: Ngāti Rangitihi/Tūhourangi
Best For: Lakeside bush walks with some hot pool soaks along the way.
A hike that ends with a soak in one of Aotearoa’s beautiful and lesser-known hot water beaches?! Yes, please!! Whilst this is a tough hike, it’s well worth the effort with stunning views over Lake Tarawera and Rotomahana. Tiff struggled the most with this one as she managed to hurt her knee about halfway through the hike. The last push up and down the steep hill to get to the end was extra hard on her, but it still made it to our top North Island hikes. So that tells you a lot about how good the views and hot water were on this hike!
The native bush you walk through whilst following the shores of Lake Tarawera is lush and green with many a native bird flitting through the ferns to accompany you along the way. There is the opportunity to have a soak in a hot water spring about halfway through the hike and then end your efforts with a dip at Hot Water Beach along the edge of Lake Tarawera. To get yourself back to the parking at the start of the hike, you have a lovely boat ride on Lake Tarawera and a short shuttle ride. This is truly a spectacular day out in the Rotorua district on a lake that is steeped in cultural history. For more info on the hike and how to book your ferry, check out our blog post here.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Distance: 23.5 kms if you take the odd side trail off the main track like we did.
Duration: The hike took us 8 hrs to complete, including stops.
Difficulty: Moderate – Hard. This is alpine terrain and a long hike. Make sure you are suitably prepared! If you aren’t used to this type of hike, consider doing a guided hike.
Local iwi: Ngāti Tuwharetoa Local hapū: Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro
Best For: Alpine views and volcanic activity.
Additional Information: This is a very sacred area, so please be aware of signs informing you of how to show respect whilst on the trail. At especially sacred points along the track it is respectful to refrain from eating.
When most people think about hiking in Aotearoa, the first day hike that comes to mind is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The most popular hike in all of New Zealand and widely considered the best day walk in the country. With such popularity you can only imagine how busy this hike is. Come during the height of peak season, and you could be one of up to 2000 people walking the hike on any given day.
We were fully prepared for this hike to not live up to its popularity. We really aren’t ones for crowds, and having never been on a crowded hike, we couldn’t imagine being able to enjoy nature with so many people bustling around us. But we were pleasantly surprised by how little you notice the crowds on the trail. Sure, there are plenty of people around, but there is also plenty of space, and the views are so incredible that you don’t really notice the people that much. That being said, it was frustrating when trying to read any of the signs along the trail as we often had people who would just come and stand directly in front of us whilst we were reading…
So why would you do a hike that is so busy when there are countless quiet day hikes on offer in New Zealand? Whilst some other day hikes come close to rivalling the views of the Tongariro Crossing, nothing can truly compare to this rugged volcanic landscape full of steaming vents, neon-bright lakes, old lava flows and deep red craters. Come towards the end of the season and there will still be plenty of people but not quite as many as during summer. For everything you need to know about the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, head to our dedicated blog post here before lacing up your boots to hike the trail.
Tama Lakes
Distance: 19.3km
Duration: 6.5 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate-hard. The hard bit is an optional section, so this can be shortened if you only hike to the lower lake.
Local iwi: Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Best For: a quiet day in a national park with mountain views, alpine lakes and a waterfall.
Tama Lakes can be considered a hidden gem of a hike when compared to the popularity of Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Tama Lakes is also located in a national park but is far less crowded and can be done without catching a shuttle to the start of the hike. These lakes are truly incredible to behold, and the towering presence of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu is with you for the entire walk.
The hike itself isn’t overly difficult until you reach the scree climb to get to the view point for the upper lake. This is a tricky climb and an even more daunting descent on the slippery scree slope, but it’s definitely worth the effort to gain the extra altitude and the views that go with it. The hike will also take you past Taranaki Falls and the banks of Wairere Stream, giving you a truly peaceful day in the mountains with a wide range of changing scenery to soak up. For more info on the hike, we have a dedicated blog post here.
Pouakai Crossing
Tiff’s all-time favourite North Island hike!
Distance: 21 km, including the side trail to the Pouakai Tarns
Duration: 8 hrs, including plenty of snack stops and photo breaks!
Difficulty: Hard
Local iwi: Taranaki
Best For: Mountain and coastal views all wrapped up in a day spent admiring Taranaki.
The rival to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for the title of best day walk in Aotearoa. We honestly couldn’t tell you which one wins this title. They are just so different. But if crowds are really something you want to avoid, then Pouākai Crossing is the better hike for you. We absolutely loved this hike with its breathtaking views out over the coast and all the way back to Mt Ruapehu (if the weather is on your side), all whilst taking in the many different faces of Taranaki as you complete the hike.
There is a lot of terrain to cover on this one, with plenty of climbs along the way. And whilst the climbs are hard, they are made easier by the excuse to stop every few seconds to take in the slight change in view of Taranaki. Honestly, we struggled to not stop every few kms to take a photo of the impressive maunga from a slightly different angle. Be sure to get a look at the famous tarn whilst you are on this hike too; it’s a slight detour from the main trail but worth it even on a windy day when the water isn’t perfectly still. For the full blog post on this hike, click here.
Paekakariki Escarpment
Distance: 10.7km
Duration: 3 hrs 40 mins
Difficulty: Moderate
Local iwi: Muaūpoko/Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai
Best For: Cliffside hiking and views to Kapiti island
If you are after some stunning ocean views or a great way to get a look at Kapiti Island, then the escarpment track is for you! This is the shortest walk we have included in our top walks of the North Island, but it packs a punch, and we loved it too much to miss it off this list. Don’t be fooled by the coastal views; this isn’t an easygoing track. There are plenty of stairs to tackle on this undulating cliffside walk. The view will accompany you the entire way, though, so the climbing is well worth the effort.
The best way to access the track is by catching the train from the city and getting off at Pukerua Bay. The track is well marked right from the station, so you can’t miss it! Follow the stairs and swing bridges all the way up the coast to the beautiful beachside town of Paekākāriki. It’s a super cool walk to do and really hugs the cliff the entire way. You are walking next to a road, but given how close both the road and the hike are to the coast, you don’t often notice the road. Especially not when you factor in how much higher you are up the cliffs than the road. Once you make it into the town of Paekākāriki, have a wander around or grab a bite to eat from one of the cute cafes.
Please Leave No trace
As always, when out in nature, be sure to practise leave no trace. Anything that goes into the park with you comes out as well (this includes apple cores and any type of food scraps). Be sure to keep to the trails so you don’t disturb the fragile ecosystems off the trail. Please leave rocks, sticks and plants as you find them. Please don’t take anything but photographs and leave with nothing extra but memories. We like to go one step further on leave no trace by making sure we pick up any rubbish we see along the trail; sometimes people slip up and forget to pick up after themselves, or things get accidentally forgotten. If you see something that doesn’t belong and are equipped to pick it up and correctly dispose of it, please do!
To help you leave no trace on these incredible day hikes, we have a few blog posts for you to read! We share our tips on how to pack for an eco-conscious day hike and what to do on the trails to protect the land you are hiking on. It’s always good to know whose land you are on too! We have done our best to include the Tangata Whenua (people of the land) above in the local iwi section. However, it is always a good idea to do your own research as well. Knowing who’s land you are on is vital in ensuring you can respect the customs and wishes of the land owners and help to protect their land.
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- Eco-Conscious Travel Tips That Anyone Can Implement
- Best Short Walks in Nelson/Tasman Region
- Why You Should Go Chasing Waterfalls In The Catlins, New Zealand
