Walking track categories
Introduction
Choose a track to match your skills, fitness and the experience you want.All tracks listed on this website are given one of these six walking track categories.
In New Zealand, hiking is commonly known as tramping. Tracks described as tramping tracks can be considered hiking tracks.
Duration: Easy walking for up to an hour.
Suitable for: People of all abilities, wheelchairs and baby buggies.
Standard: Track is well formed, with an even surface. There are no steps or steep sections. Stream and river crossings are bridged.
Track markers: No track markers as the track is well defined.
Footwear required: Walking shoes.
Typical tracks: Cape Reinga Lighthouse Walk, Milford Foreshore Walk
Find walks in the 'Easiest: Easy access short walk' category.
Duration: Easy walking for up to an hour.
Suitable for: People of most ages and fitness levels.
Standard: Track is well formed, with an even, well-drained surface. There may be steps. Stream and river crossings are bridged.
Track markers: No track markers as the track is well defined.
Footwear required: Walking shoes.
Typical tracks: Riwaka Resurgence, Waterworks Walk
Duration: Walking for up to a day.
Suitable for: People with moderate fitness and basic outdoor skills/experience. Some tracks are suitable for mountain biking.
Standard: Track is mostly well formed, although some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Stream and river crossings are mostly bridged, although small crossings may not be.
Track markers: Track is usually well defined but is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present, but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles are used instead.
Footwear required: Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots.
Typical tracks: Arthur's Pass Walking Track, Orongorongo Track
Duration: Day or multi-day tramping/hiking.
Suitable for: People with moderate fitness and basic backcountry (remote area) skills and experience. Some tracks are suitable for mountain biking.
Standard: Track is generally well formed but some sections may be rough, muddy or steep. Major stream and river crossings are bridged, but smaller crossings are not.
Track markers: Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present, but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles are used instead.
Footwear required: Light tramping/hiking shoes or boots.
Typical tracks: Tongariro Northern Circuit, Lake Daniell Track
Find walks in the 'Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping track' category
Duration: Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking.
Suitable for: People with moderate to high-level fitness and backcountry (remote area) skills and experience. Navigation, river crossing and survival skills are required. Some tracks are suitable for mountain biking.
Standard: Track is mostly unformed and may be rough and steep. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings – river crossing skills and experience are often required.
Track markers: Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present, but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead.
Footwear required: Tramping/hiking boots.
Typical tracks: Kapakapanui Track, Inland Track
Duration: Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking.
Suitable for: People with high-level fitness and backcountry (remote area) skills and experience. A high level of navigation, river crossing and survival skills are required, along with complete self-sufficiency.
Standard: Unformed route with a natural surface. May be rough, muddy and very steep. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings – river crossing skills and experience are essential.
Track markers: Route is marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present, but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead. Marking is usually less clear on a route than on a tramping track. Navigation skills are essential.
Footwear required: Sturdy tramping/hiking boots.
Typical tracks: Three Passes Route, Tararua Northern Crossing
