Chris
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Springfield ▷
Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
For context I am in my early seventies and tried this solo.
Was one of the most fun things I have ever done! However, despite being well prepared with suitable gear, I didn't have the strength to get over the two mini-waterfalls, so had to be helped over by two younger guys who fortunately came up behind me and kindly stayed with me for the remainder of the walkthrough. Totally recommend it, but don't do it solo if it's been raining or you are old or not so strong in upper body strength.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Mount Holdsworth Summit
Been up and down a number of times, my fastest time as a senior including breaks being 5.5 hours (going up River Ridge and jogging back large parts of descent).
Love the contrast between the route to Powell Hut and the tops. Can be really windy up past Powell Hut which can be quite exhilarating! - have been up in 100km gusts, and it can get a lot windier than that!
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Tongariro Northern Circuit
This is one of the top walks in New Zealand - volcanic scenery quite surreal in places, especially on the Tongariro Crossing part.
Did it as a day walk in a little under 13 hours. Great views, a variety of scenery with lakes and waterfalls, and an historical hut. Highly recommended.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Milford Sound - Fiordland National Park ▷
Lake Marian Track
Bit more scrambly than I expected, but definitely worth it for the lovely view of the lake and mountains at the end.
Several people were swimming.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Glenorchy ▷
Routeburn Track
Did this in a 10 hr 20m day, getting car relocated.
Fantastically Beautiful Walk
The most beautiful Great Walk I have done, just stunning views down two separate river valleys and peaks. Not surprisingly, were hundreds of people on the track. Very highly recommend this, especially if you can do it on a perfect day like I did.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Stratford ▷
Fantham's Peak
Went up to Syme Hut for the sunrise, then came down.
Took me as long to ascent as the Taranaki summit from North Egmont because of the difficult scree and doing it at night. The views of the hut and mountain in the early morning light are stunning. Was too icy to go past Fanthams peak to the summit.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Tutira ▷
Shine Falls Track
Perhaps the most beautiful waterfall I've seen in New Zealand; sadly the track (when I last did it in 2023 anyway) took 2 hours one way, way more than twice as long as previously and had to stop short
Just lovely waterfall
of the falls by about 100m because of severe track damage. So, unless you want a little adventure, best to wait until it re-opens officially.
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North Island ▷ Ruapehu ▷ Tongariro / National Park Village ▷
Rotopounamu Track
I really enjoyed this little walk round the lake - completely surrounded by bush and with some nice beach picnic or swimming spots.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
Te Puia Hut Track to Mangatainoka Hot Springs
This walk is a hidden gem (at least on a fine day as when I did it) - one of the top day walks in NZ in my opinion.
River and bush covered steep hill scenery is stunning. Gravel road to get there a bit dodgy and not for motorhomes. I walked to the hot pools and back in 7.5 hours (including an hour at the hot pools for a swim and lunch) where you can also camp if you wish - terrific place to camp. Do note there are a lot of hunters using this track (one I passed carrying two deer heads) and DOC for some reason putting the dead stoats and rats on the top of the traps all along the way, but don't let any of that put you off - this is a stunning walk.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Mount / Mt Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit
Was a hard 12 hour 20 minute daywalk (in excellent weather) for me (over 65'er).
Went anti-clockwise. Walk to Atiwhakatu Hut was easy and pleasant - would be good to take kids on. Walk to Jumbo Hut from there was very steep. Walk from Jumbo to Powell Hut via Mt Holdsworth was initially steepish then along the tops rather difficult - muddy and sometimes vegetation covered the track so hard to see dips in the track. Vegetation up there was quite interesting and views very good though not stellar. Path passes past Powell Hutt (I went the wrong way for a bit). Track from Powell Hutt first steepish down tho lots of steps, then a long walk (in my case in the dark) back to the carpark. Tbh I wasn't blown away by the walk - Pouakai Circuit (which I also did in a day) was better.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Ben Lomond Track
Took me about 7.5 hours up and down including stops.
Steep up the Tiki Trail, then evened out to the Saddle (where there were very good views of the other side) then slightly steeper again to the top where there are great views. Amazing that you have such a nice walk easily walkable from the town centre.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki ▷
Mount Taranaki Summit Track
Been up twice - first time up took 8 hours up and down, second time with slower companion 12 hours.
You need to be fit but doable by most (am a senior). Scree is slippery and hard going, both up and down. Coming down took me and us nearly as long as going up both times. Fantastic views up top and along the way. One of the best day hikes in NZ on a good day (-just remember the weather is very changeable!).
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Mount Cook ▷
Mueller Hut Route
One of the most beautiful walks I have ever done.
Lots of steps to Sealy Tarns where the views are magnificent on a fine summer day like we had. Then more of a scrambly route to the top, to a rather different world of some snow, the sound of quite frequent avalanches and the iconic red Mueller Hut where we spent the night.
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North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ New Plymouth ▷
Pouakai Circuit
Nice circuit day walk which took me a bit under 12 hours.
Great views of Mt Taranaki and interesting volcanic hills and swampy area along the way.