While New Zealand is rich in multi-day hiking adventures, you don’t need to commit to days on the trail to enjoy some of the most stunning spots in our great outdoors. This curated list of short walks offers a taste of what makes this country so unforgettable – no hiking boots required.
While it’s admittedly quite a challenge to whittle the list down, we’ve chosen to highlight some of the most popular short walks with the maximum benefits – views that you’ll likely remember and cherish for a lifetime.
South Island
Lake Matheson Walk
Wander through ancient forest and gaze on mirror-like reflections of New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook on this easy Lake Matheson hike. Follow the track over the Clearwater suspension bridge, pass tall kahikatea and rimu to the jetty viewpoint, where you will be greeted by magnificent mountain views reflected in the dark waters.
Lake Matheson is famous for its stunning mirror-like reflections, which are the result of leaf matter leaching into the water and turning it a dark brown colour. As you leave the jetty and begin to circle the lake, you’ll come across numerous reflections shrouded in native foliage. Stop at the top end of the lake, and again at Reflection Island, to catch some of the most spectacular views.
Along the way, look out for eels. The long-finned eel is the most common species here and can sometimes be spotted breaking the tranquil surface of the lake.
Top Tips: Dawn and dusk are the best viewing times as the lake is generally calm. The Jetty viewpoint section is suitable for assisted wheelchairs (40 mins return).
Location: 30 mins from Franz Josef, 2hrs 45mins from Greymouth
Time: Allow 1.5 hours to enjoy the 2.6km loop at your leisure.
Grade: Easy
Devil’s Punchbowl Walking Track
Take a short walk through beautiful native forest to stand at the base of the spectacular 131m Devil’s Punchbowl Falls.
Although the top of the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls can be seen from the main road, the walk to the base of the waterfall is well worth the trip at any time of year. The track starts at the northern end of Arthur’s Pass Village, just off SH 73. The return trip follows the same path.
Follow the path as it crosses the Bealey River, via a foot bridge. At the second bridge take time to pause for a good view of the waterfall above. Wander through lush beech forest with friendly fantails/pīwakawaka and tomtits before climbing 150m up a series of steps to a viewing platform at the base of this spectacular waterfall.
Top Tips: Highlights of this slice of Arthur’s Pass National Park are the native forest and 131m waterfall
Location: 2 hours from Christchurch
Time: Allow 1 hour for the 2km return short trip.
Grade: Easy (steps and gradual incline)
Blue Pools Track
Wander through beautiful native forests rich in mature beech and podocarp, travelling over a stunning swing bridge to experience the pristine waters of Makarora River’s Blue Pools.
Follow the boardwalk to a viewing platform over the Blue Pools then cross the Blue Pools bridge for great views up the river gorge. There’s a limit to the number people allowed on the swing bridges at any one time – be prepared to wait at each end if numbers allowed have been reached.
Along the way look out for large trout feeding in the pools and listen for the threatened yellowhead/mohua, which can often be heard in the canopy.
The walk starts at a carpark 8km from the town of Makarora along the Haast Highway (SH6).
Location: 1 hour from Wānaka, 2 hours 40 mins from Franz Josef
Time: Allow 1 hour to stroll this walk for the 1.5km return track
Grade: Easiest
Hooker Valley Track
The Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park is one of the most iconic short walks in New Zealand. If you only have time to do one walk, this should be the one.
This winding track follows the Hooker Valley floor to Hooker Lake.
The track leads through the sacred Tōpuni area of the Hooker Valley, passes close to the Alpine Memorial (a great viewpoint) and Freda’s Rock. After crossing the swing bridge, the track leads around the side of Mueller Lake, ending at Kakīroa/Mount Sefton View Lookout. There are excellent views of the lake, Mueller Glacier and Kakīroa/Mount Sefton.
In spring, walkers will glimpse the Mount Cook buttercup, the world’s biggest buttercup.
Currently, the Hooker Valley Track is open only until the Kakīroa/Mount Sefton View Lookout. The track is closed beyond this point while the Department of Conservation replaces the second bridge on the track. There are limited views of Aoraki/Mount Cook from the open section of this track. The full Hooker Valley Track will open again once the new bridge is built, likely in Autumn 2026.
Location: 2km from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village
Time: Allow one hour for the open 4.3km-return section of the track
Grade: Easy to intermediate
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View Walk
This easy one-hour walk takes in alpine-fed lakes and glacier-moulded landscapes. The Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in New Zealand at around 27km long. For a good view of the glacier, follow the path from the Blue Lakes car park, walk past the Blue Lakes shelter and meander up past the Blue Lakes to a viewpoint on the moraine wall. There are good views of the lower Haupapa / Tasman Glacier and lake, icebergs, and the mountains at the head of the valley.
A side trip to the Blue Lakes offers good swimming in summer. A further track branches off this track to go to the source of the Tasman River. Icebergs can usually be seen floating in the lake in summer, and in winter, the lake freezes over.
This track requires the right preparation including sturdy footwear, warm and waterproof clothing, sun protection, food and water. In winter, walking poles and micro-spikes are recommended.
Location: 13 minutes from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, 2 hours 25 minutes from Wānaka
Time: 1 hour, 2.7km return
Grade: Easy to intermediate
North Island
Cathedral Cove Walk
The popular Cathedral Cove Track leads to one of the Coromandel’s most iconic sights – a natural rock archway carved by the sea.
The track passes through native trees like punga, harakeke, kawakawa, māpou, and, nearer the beach, pōhutukawa, which is easily recognised for its bright red blooms. Offshore, the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve protects a rare and diverse reef ecosystem.
Taking roughly an hour and a half to complete, the track follows the cliff-tops overlooking the coastline, before descending steeply as it nears the beach.
If you’re walking in summer (December to February), bring plenty of water and sun protection. The beach can also get crowded during summer.
Location: 5 minutes from Hahei, 35 minutes from Whitianga and 1 hour 15 minutes from Coromandel Town.
Time: 1.5 hours, 5km return
Grade: Easy to intermediate
Rangitoto Summit Track
This spectacular walk up a dormant volcano is only accessible via boat. Jump on a ferry from downtown Auckland and climb to the summit for panoramic views.
This popular summit walk begins at Rangitoto Wharf and climbs through lava fields and the world’s largest pohutukawa forest to the island’s peak at 259m above sea level.
At the summit you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of New Zealand’s largest city and surrounding Hauraki Gulf islands.
Location: 25 minutes via ferry from Auckland City
Time: 2 hours return, 7km
Grade: Easy to intermediate
Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway
This walk goes from the shoreline to the clifftops. You’ll get to see remarkable views up and down the coast and to off-shore islands.
There are some steeper sections with many steps, so a good level of fitness and appropriate footwear is required.
The walk provides breathtaking coastal views that extend from Bream Head in the north down to the Tāwharanui Peninsula in the south. The Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island/Aotea are often seen on the horizon.
The track starts along the beach, then climbs quite steeply for about 20 minutes to a lookout point. It then winds past ancient pōhutukawa teetering on the sheer slopes before descending to the stony beach below.
From here you can walk back along the beach (8km), but only at low tide.
Location: Mangawhai is 25 minutes from Waipū to the north and 30 minutes from Wellsford to the south.
Time: 2-3 hours, 9km return via same track
Grade: Easy to intermediate
For more information on these walks, visit newzealand.com or doc.govt.nz
