Written from the track
Trip reports, route notes and honest safety advice from the South Island backcountry — every one walked first-hand.
Latest trip reports
Milford Sounds Great - Piopiotahi / Milford Sound
I recently had a friend come visit me all the way from France (Celine) and she wanted to do something cool while in the...
Magnificent Mavora. South Mavora Lake Loop Track
I recently had a friend visit from overseas and we needed a hike to do in a place she had never been before. Along with...
Back to Bush-Bashing (Part Two) - Mt Campbell South Ridge
Hats off to the early explorers who came to the mountainous regions of Aotearoa and tackled the terrain without tracks o...
Back to Bush-Bashing (Part One) - Mt Campbell South Ridge
Most look to avoid the bush when traveling through the mountains. Tracks do their best to skirt around anything that mig...
An introduction to Awesomeness (Part Two) - Mararoa River
There is something so simple and yet so very special about a night out camping. Surrounded by the soothing effects of na...
An Introduction to Awesomeness (Part One) - Mararoa River
It is no secret that Georgie and I absolutely love going to the Mavora Lakes. Whether it be a day trip or overnight adve...
Kia ora, and welcome
NZ Hikes is an independent field journal of South Island tracks — part trip report, part practical guide. Every route here is one we have walked ourselves, in the season and the weather we describe.
We write plainly and we are honest about hazards. If a river is unbridged or a slope holds snow into December, we will say so — because the mountains deserve that respect, and so do you.
Supporting the Active Hearts Foundation
Every hike is also a chance to give back. I fundraise for the Active Hearts Foundation — a New Zealand-founded charity started by trekking guides from NZ and Nepal, supporting health, education and community projects in remote Himalayan villages. Their focus is simple: get help directly to the children and communities who need it most.
Get in touch
Track beta to share, a correction, or a story to tell? We would love to hear from you.