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    Looking for the best backpacking in New Zealand? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Zealand. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Backpacking Spots in and near New Zealand

    • Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand

      Backpack to Lake Angelus Alpine Hut

      7.6 mi / 3987 ft gain
      From the Mt. Robert car park, take the Pinchgut Track up to the Bushline shelter (approx. 1 hr 30 mins). This beginning portion of the track is steep, with numerous switchbacks that will have you questioning whether you really need everything in your pack. The panoramic views of Lake Rotoiti are ...
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    • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

      Climb Mt. Ollivier

      5.0
      7 mi / 3436 ft gain
      Start on the track from the White Horse Hill campground. Follow the track up almost 2,000 steps until you reach Sealy Tarns. From here the track continues steeply up the mountain until you reach the ridge. Continue over the ridge until reaching the hut. From here continue up the ridge to the summ...
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    • Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

      Backpack the Dusky Track

      52.2 mi / 4265.1 ft gain
      The Dusky Track is a tough and extraordinarily beautiful multi-day hike in central Fiordland. The trail is a one-way hike, with both the northern and southern terminal usually being accessed by boat.  The southern terminal is situated on the northern shore of the large and deep Lake Hauroko. The ...
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    • Rotoroa, New Zealand

      Backpack and Kayak to Blue Lake

      5.0
      31.1 mi / 1430.4 ft gain
      This lake has the clearest visibility fresh water found anywhere in the world with visibility between the 70-80 meter range. And the Colours are beautiful! (We just ask that you do not swim in this lake or do your dish washing in it as it is a super fragile ecosystem, oh and the duck in the pictu...
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    • Gladstone, New Zealand

      Hike the Breast Hill Track to Pakituhi Hut

      3.0
      5 mi / 1312.3 ft gain
      From the road to Pakituhi Hut the track is a steady climb rising 400 meters on a formed zig-zag track to a small saddle. You'll get increasingly better views of Lake Hawea as you climb up the switch-backs, and you might walk alongside some sheep that make the uphill slog look much easier than it ...
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    • Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand

      Winter Overnight in Lake Angelus Hut

      7.5 mi / 4000 ft gain
      This is a popular and crowded route in summer months, but in winter you could have this 28 bunk hut with a stove all to yourself!Begin by climbing switchbacks to the summit of Mt Roberts and then following the crest of Robert Ridge. The route is exposed in a few places and an un-checked fall on s...
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    • Kaikoura Flat, New Zealand

      Hike to the Summit of Mt. Fyffe

      5.0
      10.6 mi / 2952.8 ft gain
      From the car park follow the old road grade which eventually narrows into a hiking path. At about the halfway point you will pass the Mt. Fyffe hut, a popular overnight destination. Track continues ever upward in a north-easterly fashion until you arrive at the broad summit where views to east fa...
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    • Glenorchy, New Zealand

      Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

      8.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
      Once you identify the parking area (Right turn off Glenorchy Paradise Road just before crossing the Earnslaw Burn, park a the bend in the road.) Cross the boggy meadow in a NW direction until you see the orange trail markers on trees.The trail below bush line is long, very rugged and covered with...
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    • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

      Hike to Muller Hut

      6.2 mi / 5905.5 ft gain
      One of the most spectacular hikes in New Zealand next to New Zealand's highest mountain - Mount Cook (aka Aoraki).5.2km one way, it is a tough ascent. The first part of the track ascends to Sealy tarns. This involves climbing zig zag stairs where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view over ...
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    • Evansdale, New Zealand

      Backpack Silver Peaks Track

      3.0
      11.8 mi / 1400 ft gain
      The trailhead is somewhat obscured on the side of the Mountain Track Rd - there is a sign that reads Silver Peaks Track. The rest of the trail is very well marked with orange posts and triangles.The trail starts with a gradual incline for 1.5 hours or so until you reach the top of a ridge line. F...
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    • Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

      Backpack to the Waimak Falls Hut

      13 mi / 2000 ft gain
      Begin this two night (one night option) tramping trip from the Bealey Bridge over the Waimakariri River – approximately 8 kilometers south of Arthur’s Pass. If river levels are low and you prefer cutting through the river valley itself – crossing the Waimak at need – begin at Klondyke Corner. A s...
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    • Kokatahi, New Zealand

      Hike to the Mt. Brown Hut and Mt. Brown Summit

      5 mi / 3937 ft gain
      This trail is unique in that it is community run, solely by volunteers.  The track starts at a signposted car park just short of an hour east of Hokitika. From here the fairly short, but steep track climbs just over 1000m through native bush following a marked and well trodden trail. About half a...
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    • Karangarua, New Zealand

      Backpack to the Welcome Flat Hut

      5.0
      11.2 mi / 1378 ft gain
      The Welcome Flat Hut is more of a local destination than a tourist one. Franz Josef and Fox Glacier both see heaps of visitors on any given day, mainly for small-scale adventures. But, if you're looking to get away from some of the crowds and experience the Westland area at a slightly more intens...
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    • Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand

      Mountain Bike to Boundary Creek Hut

      The track to Boundary Creek Hut follows an old 4WD track for about 9 km () with minimal height gain on the way in. Not long into the ride, you will pass another 4WD track with marker poles – this heads to the Garden of Eden (not the glacier one), so keep on the main track.About 2 km (1.2 miles) f...
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    • Maruia, New Zealand

      Hike the Lewis Pass Tops Route

      5.6 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
      Park at the well marked Saint James Walkway Car Park. You will find the Lewis Pass Tops Trail Head across the street. The trail begins by climbing steeply through beech forest and then breaks through the tree line before arriving at the ridge crest. The maintained trail ends here but the route is...
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    • Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

      Backpack to Carrington Hut

      11 mi / 350 ft gain
      With peaks rising thousands of meters on every side of you and a wide-open valley to tramp in, the hike to Carrington Hut does feel quite like you're walking in a movie set. After walking a day up the Waimakariri Valley you'll reach this 36-bunk DOC hut, which requires a DOC hut pass to stay the ...
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