Backpacking the most Scenic Trails in New Zealand for 7-14 days

Backpacking the most Scenic Trails in New Zealand for 7-14 days

Harmen Hoek
Hike several of the most famous trails in New Zealand with this custom route that combines Great Walks of Rees-Dart and Routeburn with some lesser-known hidden gems like Cascade Saddle, Earnslaw Burn, and Greenstone/Caples. This trek showcases the diverse landscape of New Zealand's South Island, from serene valleys and ancient glaciers to rugged alpine mountain passes and through low altitude temperate rain forests. The route is split into 7 flexible stages that can be done in 7-14 days and is written for those seeking to (wild) camp and who prefer to stay in huts along the way. The route includes some off-trail sections to some of the most secluded and beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, but also provides alternatives to avoid these sections of bushwhacking. This guide includes the route as seen in my YouTube film and provides all the additional information about all the huts along the way, wild camping regulations all along the trek, how to get there, when to go, the weather, and much more. What this guide includes: - A flexible itinerary for different lengths and difficulty levels; - Distances, best camping options, and other useful waypoints; - Custom Google Maps with all the important locations, such as campsites, grocery stores, airports, trails, public transport stops, and viewpoints; - GPX tracks of all the routes; - Practical information on how to get there, how to get around, when to go, trail conditions, weather, geography, and more; - Detailed descriptions of the trekking route, including landmarks, terrain, and elevation changes. Embark on this adventure to discover New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes, from alpine passes and serene lakes to lush valleys and dense rain forests. This guide promises to lead you through the heart of the South Island's untamed beauty, offering an unforgettable journey through its most majestic and wild spaces. Get ready to be captivated by the stunning vistas and unique experiences that await on this epic trek. Get an impression of the route on youtube.com/harmenhoek.
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Written in March 2024, last updated on March 22, 2024.

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About this trip

This guide presents an unparalleled journey that stitches together the iconic Great Walks of Rees-Dart and Routeburn with the untamed beauty of Cascade Saddle, Earnslaw Burn, and Greenstone/Caples, creating a continuous trek across New Zealand's majestic landscapes. The variation in landscapes and trail difficulty makes this trek anything but boring. The route starts above Wanaka with the challenging Cascade Saddle Route. Right from the start, you pass through wide grassy valleys, then climb up through temperate rainforests to the alpine landscapes atop Cascade Saddle. The route passes by the Dart Glacier and then merges with the Rees-Dart Great Walk where it passes over Rees Pass. A challenging off-trail bushwhacking section gets you to Lennox Pass, which offers some of the best views of the Earnslaw Glacier and Earnslaw Burn, known for its use in the Lord of the Rings movies. An alternative, easier route gets you to Earnslaw Burn as well, without having to go off-trail. After a possible resupply in Glenorchy, the trek continues with the Routeburn Great Walk and then merges with the Greenstone/Caples trek. At McKellar Saddle, you get some stunning views of the Caples Valley, which you descend before the trek makes one more detour over Steele Creek Saddle to the Greenstone Valley with its expansive meadows.

Below, you'll find a comprehensive itinerary that guides you through each stage of the trek, followed by all the additional information you need for a safe and enjoyable journey. This includes how to get there, detailed wild camping regulations, hut accommodations, and more.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Harmen Hoek
Adventurous travel lover & film maker.
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
8 places
8 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
18 photos
Beautiful, hi-res photos from the creator
27 links
27 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Otago, New Zealand
Cascade Saddle Route, Otago, New Zealand
Wānaka, New Zealand
New Zealand
Harris Saddle / Tarahaka Whakatipu, Southland, New Zealand
Steele Creek Saddle, Greenstone, New Zealand
Lake Wilson, Otago, New Zealand
Rees-Dart Track, Kinloch, New Zealand
Dart Glacier, Otago, New Zealand
Routeburn Track, Otago, New Zealand
Earnslaw Glacier Lookout, Mount Earnslaw, New Zealand
Aspiring Hut, Mount Aspiring, New Zealand
Greenstone and Caples Tracks Car Park Greenstone Station Road, Greenstone, New Zealand
Greenstone, New Zealand
Greenstone and Caples tracks, Kinloch, New Zealand
Glenorchy, New Zealand
Rees - Dart Saddle, Skippers, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
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Itinerary
Itineraries typically include day-by-day plans, with food, lodging and activity recommendations for each day.
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