Hike the Forest Journey

Hanmer Springs, New Zealand

Save

View all 4 photos

All 4 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

2 miles

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Alex Tande

The fall colors are simply extraordinary. Beautiful little walk through the woods that makes you feel so far away and yet you are a close walk from town.

This track is located just outside of Hanmer springs, and is the perfect afternoon or morning walk. Don't plan on this taking a whole day as the longest loop takes an about 90 minutes, if you are taking your time and enjoying it all. There are clear signs that guide you on this amble through the forest. We went in autumn and the colors were amazing.

It is an flat, easy walk through the pine forest. They had informational signs telling you which types of trees are in the forest. The information includes where the tree originated from, why it was brought to New Zealand, and what it is best used for.

As the trail winds its way through the forest there are tons of great benches to sit and enjoy. After I walked through the track I went back to my car, got a book, and returned to one of these said benches and just sat and read for another hour. Listening to the birds sing all around you and reading your book while smelling the forest was one of my better moments in New Zealand. It was so peaceful and just felt right.

Overall, a very easy walk through the forest, a perfect way to escape from the little town of Hanmer. Excellent filler hike or an excellent way to get back into the woods for a little bit.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Chillin

Hiking

Bathrooms

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Romantic

Wildlife

Hike the Forest Journey Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to the Summit of Mt. Isobel

Start at the Waterfall Track Car Park. Follow the Waterfall Track along Dog Stream and through thick beech forest until the intersection with the Mt. Isobel Track (all intersections are well signed). Here, a quick detour brings you to Dog Stream Falls. Return to the track and head up the steep and sometimes narrow path which leads you above tree line. Continue upward towards the eastern shoulde...

Hike the Waterfall Track

Relatively short day hike that involves a few stairs and bridge crossing brings you to a cool spot called Dog Stream Waterfall at the end of the Waterfall Track. While the waterfall itself is cool, the hike itself is pretty great. Steady climb up to the 41 meter waterfall, offering some great views towards the tops. Along the way you are treated to great little streams and waterfalls along the ...

Hike the Lewis Pass Tops Route

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 fairly easy to follow. Continue following the ridge crest past several ponds for a few kilometers.O...

Hike to the Summit of Mt. Fyffe

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 fall away in a profound void before reaching the bright green peninsula and the ocean. To the west vie...

Whale Watch in Kaikoura

A couple hours north of Christchurch, New Zealand sits the very small tourist and fishing town of Kaikoura. The drive from Christchurch brings up up along the coast to where it hugs the reaching foothills of the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean. Once you reach the town, there is plenty to see whether you choose to hike the nearby mountain ranges, the Kaikoura Peninsula, or stroll through the...

Hike the Kaikoura Peninsula

From the Point Kean carpark head south up the paved walkway until you reach the Clifftop Walk. This trail will take you past East Head and Atia Point before it becomes the South Bay Lookout Walk. When you reach car park at trail's end turn back the way you came and descend the stairs near East Head to the beach.The beach trail winds in and out of coves and headlands, which are home to an array ...