The short answer
- Season
- Late October to April
- Huts (intl)
- About NZ$66 to 152 a night
- Hardest to book
- Milford Track
- Easiest walk
- Abel Tasman Coast Track
What's changed recentlyShow
- 2026/27 seasonHut prices on the Milford, Routeburn, Kepler, Abel Tasman and Paparoa tracks rose by about 5 to 15%. Check the DOC booking site for exact rates.
The Great Walks are New Zealand's best multi day hikes, on well built tracks with huts and campsites. In the main season, from late October to April, huts have wardens, gas cookers and bunks with mattresses, and must be booked ahead.
International visitors pay more than New Zealanders. Popular dates sell out within minutes of bookings opening, so many visitors join a guided walk instead.
The five most popular Great Walks
Milford Track
Most famous- Length
- 53.5 km, 4 days
- Huts (intl)
- NZ$152 a night (2025/26)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Booking
- Sells out in minutes
Rainforest valleys, Mackinnon Pass and Sutherland Falls, walked in one direction with a fixed 3 night itinerary. Guided trips with lodges are the backup when DOC huts sell out.
Great Walks guide →Routeburn Track
Best short walk- Length
- 32 km, 2 to 4 days
- Huts (intl)
- NZ$132 a night (2025/26)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Start
- Near Queenstown or Te Anau
Alpine views for much of the way between Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks. Needs transport between the two ends.
Great Walks guide →Kepler Track
Ridge walk- Length
- 60 km loop, 4 days
- Huts (intl)
- NZ$132 a night (2025/26)
- Difficulty
- Moderate to hard
- Start
- Te Anau, no transport needed
A long, exposed ridge above Lake Te Anau. A loop from Te Anau, so it's easy to organise, but tough in wind.
Great Walks guide →Abel Tasman Coast Track
Easiest- Length
- 60 km, 3 to 5 days
- Huts (intl)
- NZ$84 a night (2025/26)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Extras
- Water taxis and kayaks
Golden beaches and bush, with water taxis so you can walk as little or as much as you like. Tidal crossings need planning.
Great Walks guide →Tongariro Northern Circuit
Volcanoes- Length
- 43 km loop, 3 to 4 days
- Huts (intl)
- NZ$66 a night (2025/26)
- Difficulty
- Moderate to hard
- Includes
- The Alpine Crossing
Circles Mount Ngauruhoe, past the Red Crater and Emerald Lakes. Exposed and alpine: the weather decides everything.
Great Walks guide →Profiles are approximate and drawn to the same scale (0 to 2,000 m, a dotted line every 500 m), so a taller line means higher ground. The red dot is the highest point.
How booking works
- Online only: Through the Department of Conservation (DOC) booking system, for each night in each hut or campsite.
- Opening dates: Bookings for the summer season open in the middle of the year, in stages by track. DOC announces the dates in advance.
- Be ready: Create your account beforehand, have alternative dates, and log in before the opening time. Milford Track dates often sell out in minutes.
- Cancellations: Places come back when others cancel, so keep checking.
Independent or guided?
| Independent (DOC huts) | Guided (private lodges) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, Milford Track | About NZ$700 to 800 all in | About NZ$2,900 and up |
| Sleeping | Shared bunkrooms | Private or twin rooms, hot showers |
| Carry | All your food, sleeping bag and cooking gear | A light day pack |
| Booking | Sells out in minutes | Far more availability |
| Meals | Cook your own | All meals included |
Outside the Great Walks season
From May to late October, huts drop to basic facilities without gas or wardens, some bridges are removed, and alpine sections carry avalanche risk. These walks are then only for experienced, well equipped trampers.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Great Walk cost?
For international visitors in 2025/26, huts cost about NZ$66 to 152 a night, so a 3 night walk costs about NZ$200 to 460 plus transport. Guided walks cost about NZ$1,500 to 3,500.
When do Great Walks bookings open?
Around the middle of the year for the following summer, in stages by track. Check DOC's website for the exact dates.
Which Great Walk is best for beginners?
The Abel Tasman Coast Track: mostly flat, with beaches, water taxis and short days.
Can I do the Milford Track without booking?
No. In the season you must book huts and walk the track in one direction over 4 days.
Sources we checked
New Zealand month by month
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