How to Hut Trek New Zealand in 5 Easy Steps
(Spec piece written for the New Zealand Department of Conservation)
You have landed in Queenstown, your backpack is cinched tight with hiking essentials, and you know you want to see as much as physically possible in the time that you have in New Zealand. So what do you do next? You hike of course! New Zealand is home to 3,474 hikes located in a small 990 mile stretch of land. Boasting glacial crags, cascading waterfalls, precarious suspension bridges, and many miles of luscious rainforest, this country offers enough trekking options to keep you wandering for the rest of your life. These nationwide hikes are known as the country’s “tracks” or “great walks” and are sure to be the highlight of any trip.
Fortunately, the New Zealand Department of Conservation has made this endeavor much easier for you, by providing hutted routes for many of the longer hiking options that exist throughout the country. Goodbye tent packing!
So how do you decide which track to do?
Below are five easy steps to help get you on your way to your next great adventure.
Identify how much time you want to spend trekking
Each track consists of a mapped route that gives an estimated trekking time. It is up to you to determine how accurate you believe these times are for you based on your realistic physical capabilities. The times the New Zealand Department of Conservation has provided for each track are simply estimates based on the average hiking time. Determine how many days you want to spend trekking. Options for trek length can range from overnight to weeks at a time.
2. Pick Your Route
There are many gorgeous options located in both the north and the south islands of New Zealand. However, the most popular trek options are primarily located on the south island. The trails of New Zealand are referred to as the country's “Great Walks” and the season usually begins the first week of May. Some of the most famous (and strenuous) routes include the Routeburn and the Kepler Track. A comprehensive list of these can be found here.
3. Booking Your Huts
Each of the routes must be booked in parts. You have the option to book as many of the huts along a route as you wish. If a route has three different huts from start to finish, you need to make sure to book them for the way there, as well as for the way back. You may also choose to only complete a portion of a track, and just book an overnight or a couple of nights of huts for your journey. It is up to you based on your desired length of the hike.
These huts can be booked here once you decide on which route you want. Book these as early as you can because hut capacity is limited and many travelers and locals alike will book their reservations well in advance.
4. Prepare Adequately
View from the Welcome Hut on the Copeland Track.
The track huts are outfitted very minimally. There is NO electricity in these buildings, so plan to have a source of light other than your phone. If you are using your phone as your primary source of photography, be sure to switch it to airplane mode and low power mode before you leave so that you can get the most out of it. There will be nowhere to charge these along the way. If you are doing a longer track, we suggest bringing an auxiliary battery pack with you, or a different camera.
The huts will provide hikers with running water and rudimentary bathrooms and showers. This allows you to freshen up and replenish your water supply each day as you move from hut to hut. There are also drying lines if any of your clothes or gear have gotten wet along the way, or if you simply want to air some of them out from exerting yourself all day.
There will be an assortment of rooms throughout the cabin that are each lined with mat spaces. Claim your mat space upon arrival so that your party can sleep next to each other. Otherwise, you might just end up cuddled next to a stranger!
5. Enjoy Your Journey!
Once you are all booked and packed you can be on your way! Getting to most trailheads around the country will require that you drive to them, so be sure to plan a rental car or a van in advance. The Great Walks of New Zealand are some of the most acclaimed hiking trails around the world, and you are sure to walk away inspired and with a new vigor for life once completing one.
For other activities to enjoy after your journey, check out the New Zealand Department of Conservation website to see what all the Kiwis do in their free time here.