THE Wilderness 100
WELCOME TO THE INAUGURAL WILDERNESS 100 – AN ANNUAL LIST OF THE BEST TRIPS IN THE COUNTRY.
As you’d expect with such a list, we’ve applied careful thought and discussion, and consulted experts, as to which tracks, huts and peaks should be featured. But no doubt we’ve overlooked some fantastic trips, so please get in touch if you reckon you know a better trip to include in future Wilderness 100s because next year we’ll be doing it all over again.
This year’s Wilderness 100 will take you from Cape Reinga to southern Rakiura, zig zagging from coast to coast. If you want to see the country, this is the template by which all epic road trips should be based.
We’ve organised the trips alphabetically, so you can easily find a particular trip (if it’s a mountain, we’ve ignored the ‘Mt’ and placed the trip alphabetically by the peak’s name).
So, without further ado, it’s time to turn the page and start planning your lifetime of outdoor trips.
1 Aotea Track, Aotea Conservation Park, Great Barrier Island
Located so close to Auckland, but often ignored by the city’s trampers, the 14km Aotea Track offers superb tramping. Begin at Windy Canyon, take Palmers Track over the island’s highest point, Mt Hobson (621m), through the remnants of kauri forest. Mt Heale Hut offers panoramic views over the Hauraki Gulf and Hauturu/Little Barrier Island before the Peach Tree Track descends to Kaitoke hot springs.
2 Abel Tasman Coast Track, Abel Tasman National Park
Life is a beach on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, DOC’s most relaxing Great Walk. With 20 campsites and four huts, trampers are able to plan their own adventure and find a slice of solitude in New Zealand’s busiest – and smallest – national park.
3 Mt Arthur, Kahurangi National Park
Many routes exist to the summit of Mt Arthur, though the most straight-foward track leaves from Graham Valley Road end. The track is 7-8hr return, and trampers may wish to spend a night at eight bunk Mt Arthur Hut. Panoramic views from the summit take in the Kahurangi Range and Nelson Bays.
4 Alex Knob, Westland Tai Poutini National Park
The best free views of the Franz Josef Glacier can be found not below it, but above it. The steep climb to Alex Knob is demanding on the thighs, but rewarding on the eyes, and one of the most spectacular day walks in the region.
5 Angelus Hut, Nelson Lakes National Park
Voted in 2017 to be Wilderness readers’ favourite hut, the gorgeous 28 bunk Angelus Hut sits on the shore of Lake Angelus and should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s accessible by multiple routes – the most popular follows Robert Ridge. Turn the trip into a three-dayer by completing a loop over the Speargrass Track.
6 Avalanche Peak, Arthur’s Pass National Park
Avalanche Peak rises steeply above Arthur’s Pass Village and makes an exhilarating day tramp with an ascent up Avalanche Peak Track and a descent on Scotts Track. The craggy summit (1833m) offers a 360-degree sweep of mountains, with Mt Rolleston prominent.
7 Ballroom Overhang, Paparoa National Park
If camping beneath a giant limestone overhang fills you with dread, read no further. But if the adventure appeals, put on your dancing shoes and head to the Ballroom Overhang, found 6km up the Fox River from Tiromoana, near Punakaiki.
8 Barker Hut, Arthur’s Pass National Park
The highest hut in Arthur’s Pass National Park is a gloriously situated
