With cascading waterfalls, lush subtropical rainforests, dramatic volcanic peaks, and golden beaches, New Zealand’s North Island is hardly lacking in captivating landscapes. Though most visitors head straight to the South Island to begin their outdoor adventures from hubs like Queenstown, you’d be remiss to discount the natural offerings up north.
I’ve spent 11 months living, traveling, and hiking in New Zealand, primarily on the North Island. New Zealand heavily invests in its outdoor spaces, and the well-maintained routes and excellent trail amenities have set the standard for how I view trekking.
Whether you’re an experienced or novice hiker, these routes on the North Island offer a diversity of terrains and difficulty levels. All the hikes on this list can be done as day hikes, though the final two can be split in half by spending a night at the Department of Conservation (DOC) huts located on the trail, an experience I highly recommend. Here are my 10 favorite day hikes on New Zealand’s North Island.
When is the best time to go hiking in New Zealand?
In my experience, summer is the optimal time for hiking in New Zealand. The weather is warmer and drier, and less technical gear is required for alpine hikes, as the snow has melted.
What do I need to pack for a day hike?
For day hikes, I’d recommend a day pack, water, snacks, appropriate footwear, and layers (weather can change quickly, especially at higher elevations).
How can I spend a night at a hut in New Zealand?
To book a night at the Pinnacles Hut or Cape Brett, you’ll need to make a reservation on the DOC website. Summer is especially popular, and dates sell out, so be sure to book in advance.
1. Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Rating: Hard
Length: 19.8 km
Elevation gain: 843 m
All Trails Map: Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Located in Tongariro National Park, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of New Zealand’s most iconic day hikes. Starting from the Mangatepopo parking lot, the track wanders across stunning alpine meadows, past waterfalls, and up into desolate volcanic landscapes that may look familiar if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan.
Highlights along the trail include views of the red-dusted cone of Mount Ngauruhoe and the sparkling, saturated hues of the Emerald Lakes. This all-day adventure takes around 6-8 hours to complete, with most hikers (myself included) setting out around sunrise.
While it’s an epic hike, some planning is required for the Tongariro Crossing. Unless you’ve got a driver, booking a shuttle for this point-to-point hike is necessary. You’ll park in Ketetahi (at the trail’s end), and the shuttle will take you to the trailhead at Mangatepopo.
2. Taranaki Falls
Rating: Moderate
Length: 6.0 km
Elevation gain: 145 m
All Trails Map: Taranaki Falls Walk
This walk in Tongariro National Park offers stunning views of mountains and cascading waterfalls. The hike begins at the car park near the Skotel Alpine Resort and features excellent views of snow-capped Mount Ruapehu in the distance as you walk through alpine shrubland.
The trail winds through beech forest and along a stream with several smaller cascades before arriving at the roaring Taranaki Falls. The track loops up and over the falls, where you have a clear view of Mount Ruapehu. The trail then winds back through the alpine shrubland, with views of conical Mount Ngauruhoe in the background, before arriving back at the car park.
I did this hike in early autumn (late February), and it was one of my favorite hikes on the North Island. The shrublands were speckled with pink flowers, and when the sky cleared, the views of Mount Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe were breathtaking.
3. Te Waihou Walkway - Blue Spring
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Length: 7.9 km (much shorter option from Leslie Road car park)
Elevation gain: 321 m
All Trails Map: Blue Spring from Whites Road
The Te Waihou Walkway near Putaruru follows the crystalline Waihou River to the iconic Blue Spring, one of the purest sources of water in the world and the source of 70% of NZ’s bottled water. The trailhead is located near the car park on Whites Road (which has very limited space, so arrive early to secure your spot, as it is regularly patrolled by police to prevent parking on the road). Leaving the car park, the track follows along the tranquil Waihou River, crossing several bridges and passing livestock pastures.
You’ll then enter a canopy of lush vegetation at the Waihou River Rapids, where the water glows an ethereal neon blue. After the rapids, a short flight of stairs leads up to the Blue Spring, a wide expanse of river with verdant aquatic vegetation, where you can rest on benches before turning back.
There is a shorter version of this hike that begins at Leslie Road, and takes only 15 minutes to walk to the Blue Spring. If you start here, I recommend walking a bit further to the rapids to truly appreciate the beauty of the river.
4. Karangahake Windows Walk
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Length: 2.3 km
Elevation gain: 102 m
All Trails Map: Karangahake Windows Walk
This hike is enjoyable for children and adults alike, as it’s relatively flat and follows the abandoned gold mining tunnels and railway along the Karangahake Gorge. After parking at the public car park off State Highway 2, you’ll cross two suspension bridges before taking the trail into the hillside. Here you’ll find a set of railroad tracks that lead towards the tunnels.
I recommend bringing a headlight or using your phone’s flashlight, as the tunnels are dark with some low beams that could be a hazard. Enjoy exploring these old mining tunnels and take time to stop and check out the view through the “windows” in the hillside that look out over the scenic Karangahake Gorge and stream.
Before looping back to the car park, you can take an optional detour and continue walking along the stream headed towards Dickey Flat Waterfalls. After about 25 minutes, you will arrive at a beautiful swimming hole with gentle cascades and large boulders, with local teens cannonballing into the water below.
5. Wairere Falls
Rating: Moderate/Hard
Length: 5.5 km
Elevation gain: 412 m
All Trails Map: Wairere Falls Track
Located within the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, this two-hour track takes hikers to the top of the North Island’s largest waterfall, where water plummets a dizzying 153 meters into the stream below.
Beginning at the Wairere Falls car park, the trail winds through lush forest, hugging a stream with several scenic bridge crossings. The elevation gain then becomes a bit more intense, and you’ll climb up a series of wooden stairs before getting back on the trail, where you’ll eventually reach the first viewing platform with a full view of the falls in all their glory.
From the observation deck, the climb continues, which can be muddy depending on recent precipitation. The terrain will flatten out, bringing you to the mouth of the falls. Here you can wade across the river that feeds the falls and lounge on the boulders for a snack break. It’s also a refreshing spot for a swim.
I did this hike after a night of rain, and the trail was quite muddy and slippery in places, which was uncomfortable, particularly in the steep spots, so watch the weather before you go. While this is not a very long hike, I recommend bringing water and snacks to enjoy as you lounge at the top of the falls.
6. Mauao Summit Walk - Mount Maunganui
Rating: Moderate
Length: 6.4 km
Elevation gain: 251 m
All Trails Map: Mount Maunganui Summit and Ranui Loop Track
The Mauao summit hike in the Bay of Plenty showcases 360-degree views of the Tauranga Harbor, Matakana Island, and the sprawling white-sand beaches of Mount Maunganui. Starting at the surf lifesaving station, you’ll begin your short ascent, taking anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to reach the top. Upon summiting, you’re greeted with spectacular views of the ocean and expansive golden beaches.
As you descend around the backside of the mountain, you’ll look out over Pilot Bay, Matakana Island, and the bustling Tauranga Harbour, before reaching the base track at the bottom. The base track is mostly flat and takes about 40 minutes to complete, where you keep an eye out for the resident fur seal, Oscar, and admire the vibrant red flowers of the pōhutukawa trees.
*This track was heavily damaged during a landslide in January of 2026. Be sure to check the Tauranga City website for updates before heading out.
7. Mautohe Track - Cathedral Cove Walk
Rating: Easy/Moderate
Length: 7.4 km
Elevation gain: 264 m
All Trails Map: Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track from Hahei Visitor Car Park
Perhaps one of the most iconic natural landmarks in New Zealand, the Cathedral Cove track is just as stunning as its eponymous stone archway at the end. The paved path begins at Grange Road and takes about 30 minutes each way, winding through native forest and offering views over the Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve.
Try to time your visit for low tide, when the water recedes, and the cove is fully accessible. I’d recommend packing a swimsuit if you’re visiting during the summer and spending some time lounging on the beach.
There is no longer parking at the trailhead, so you’ll either have to walk or catch a shuttle from Hahei to Grange Road. Hahei is a small place, so walking from your accommodation likely won’t add much time.
8. Pouākai Crossing - Mount Taranaki Tarns
Rating: Hard
Length: 19.3 km / 12.7 km if shortening from Mangorei Road
Elevation gain: 927 m / 792 m
All Trails Map: Pouakai Crossing / Pouakai Tarns via Mangorei Track and Pouakai Hut
Located in the western corner of the North Island, about five hours from hubs like Wellington and Auckland, Mount Taranaki looms over the city of New Plymouth. While many ambitious hikers opt to summit this formidable dormant stratovolcano, the Pouākai Crossing offers a less vertical ascent (though still plenty challenging) and panoramic views of Taranaki. Winding through subtropical rainforest and across alpine meadows, the crown jewel of this hike is the view of Taranaki reflected in small pools of alpine water called tarns.
The full-day hike is often done as a point-to-point trek, meaning you’ll need to book a shuttle to take you to the trailhead after leaving your car at the Mangorei Road parking lot at the trail’s end. For a slightly shorter version, hiking out and back from the Mangorei Road parking lot offers access to the tarns and fewer logistics. This trek is incredibly weather-dependent, especially for exceptional views. Taranaki spends most of his time immersed in clouds, so patience is key. The first weekend, we were rained out and had to come back several weeks later, when we finally got a glimpse of the mountain through the clouds.
9. Cape Brett Track and hut
Rating: Hard
Length: 30 km / 11 km if starting at Deep Water Cove
Elevation gain: 1,831 m / 362 m
All Trails Map: Cape Brett Track / Deep Water Cove to Cape Brett Hut
Located in New Zealand’s northernmost territory within the Bay of Islands, the Cape Brett Track offers sparkling sea views, lush subtropical forest, and plenty of elevation gain. While this can be done as an ambitious day hike, the end of the trail features a red-roofed DOC hut that formerly housed the cape’s lighthouse keeper. The final stretch was my favorite; the trail crests a rocky promontory with vertigo-inducing views on either side as the lighthouse comes into view.
This is definitely an all-day excursion (7-8 hours each way), though you can opt to shorten the trail by taking a water taxi from Rawhiti to Deep Water Cove (it’s still plenty difficult). I would highly recommend splitting the hike in half by spending a night at the hut. The views at sunset were ethereal, with only the sound of the seagull colony and waves crashing below. If you follow the stone steps down to the water, past the vestiges of a winch and crank system, there is an area where you can swim in the inlet.
10. Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles Track) and Hut
Rating: Moderate/Hard
Length: 14.2 km
Elevation gain: 776 m
All Trails Map: Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles Track)
Located in the Coromandel Peninsula, the Pinnacles Track was my introduction to overnight hut hikes in New Zealand. The trek is named for the sweeping spires of volcanic rock clustered at the summit. The trail follows a 1900s logging route, winding through lush forest, past waterfalls, and across swinging bridges. The final stretch to the summit requires scrambling up rocks, with several ladders and metal rungs in place to help you ascend.
Before the summit, you’ll encounter the DOC overnight hut, with bunks to accommodate 80 people, a kitchen with gas burners, long-drop toilets, and a cold shower. I highly recommend booking a night at the hut and hiking up the summit for sunrise and sunset. The Pinnacles is also a doable day hike, and a very popular overnight with families during the summer holidays.
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