With a new year here, it of course means there are new hiking goals to smash out! The only hiking goal I made at the beginning of 2021 was to do a great walk. Abel Tasman was the one of choice which did not happen. Any other goals are just added to the list in my head thinking, I’d love to do this track or stay at this hut.
2021 no doubt has sparked something inside a lot of us which is, life is short, do what you love. Get out there, make things happen. Might be a bit deep for the realm of hiking but how many of us have said for years that we’ve wanted to do a certain track. I know I have– I’ve had the Abel Tasman great walk on my list for at least a year!
I’m not much of a planner which is probably why most of that mental list did not get checked off and as the saying goes, “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” So here I am attempting to plan so I can check these trips off my hiking bucket list! There are quite a few tracks away from home that I’d love to get to but also some closer to home that will be a good alternative if the weather isn’t playing part in other areas.
Closer to home!
- Mystery Lake track– Hakatere Conservation Park – 1100 meters | 575 m change | 21 km return | 8-9 hour return
- Cameron Hut– Hakatere Conservation Park- 1275 meters | 800 m change | 32 km return | 12-14 hour return- done as an overnighter
- Mueller Hut– Aoraki National Park- 1780 meters | 1020 m change | 10.4 km return | 8-9 hour return
- Temple Basin– Arthurs Pass National Park- 1460 meters | 490 m change | 3 km return | 3 hour return
- Avalanche Peak– Arthurs Pass National Park- 1833 meters | 1031 m change | 5 km return | 6-8 hour return
- Mount Oxford– Oxford Conservation Area- 1364 meters | 1014 m change | 18 km return | 7-8 hour return
- Foggy Peak– Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park- 1741 meters | 800 m change | 8 km return | 3-4 hour return
to hike again!
- Mt Roy/ Roy’s Peak– Wanaka- 1578 meters | 1258 m change | 16 km return | 5-6 hour return
- Mount Somers (south face)- Mt Somers Walkways- 1688 meters | 1077 m change | 9.4 km return | 7-8 hour return
To smash out!
Abel Tasman Great Walk- Abel Tasman National Park
I’ve had this hike on my list for ages! This track has completely different scenery than usual hiking and I am here for it! I’ve also done very few overnighters so I think this would be an awesome introduction!
I don’t have all the details figured out just yet but I think we could do it in 3 nights/4 days. I’ll have to revisit that though to include tidal crossings and my definite need to take photos! I’m tossing up doing this track in the winter and possibly trying to do the Tongariro Crossing before the middle of April. Although not as warm, the Abel Tasman track would be a better option for winter walking.
Alex Knob- Westland Tai Poutini National Park
1303 meters | 1200 m change | 17.2 km return | 8 hour return
This walk is becoming more and more popular. Walk my world has an epic overview of the track and what to expect. The views over Franz Josef glacier look stunning. No doubt I’d love to take a tent up there!
I originally thought of putting Mt Fox on the list instead of as the track also offers a stunning view over a glacier but to make this goal a bit more realistic for me if you will, I’ve opted for Alex Knob. It doesn’t seem quite as grueling as Mt Fox and will be a good introduction for when I’m really ready for the big hike!
Mt Brown Hut- Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve
1303 meters | 1200 m change | 17.2 km return | 8 hour return
The Mt Brown track is located on the West Coast and I’d like to think a good challenge for my level of hiking that I’ll still be able to get through! Of course, as a photographer, it does look pretty dang photogenic as well. The hut only has 4 bunks and the true summit is about an hour return from the hut which looks like a good sidetrack for an overnighter.
Brewster Hut- Mt Aspiring National Park
1303 meters | 1200 m change | 17.2 km return | 8 hour return
I’ve wanted to hike up to Brewster Hut for a while now. Another very photogenic hut but I’ve heard the sunsets are next level and there are views over to a glacier. At this point, I’m ready for whatever challenges the track throws at me because it already sounds completely worth it!
In all seriousness, the track isn’t a walk in the park. Located on the west coast, the track starts right at Fantail Falls which means there’s a river crossing right from the get-go. The track sounds like a steep, muddy, tree-rooted track most of the way to the top as well. I’ll definitely have to get some pack training in before this one and some good weather planning to catch the river at a crossable time.
My good friend Alice from Alice Adventuring has an awesome trip report about her experience up Brewster Hut. It’s both prepared me for the challenge and got me excited to tackle this track and tick it off my list!
isthmus peak
1385 meters | 1120 m change | 16 km return | 5-6 hour return
I have been wanting to get up Isthmus peak for ages! A rival to Roy’s Peak but a much more interesting track and a different set of views. Every time I have planned to go or have been in the area the weather has not been good, the track’s been closed or I didn’t have time! I’m hoping by the end of April I will have made the walk up but I’m determined before winter 2022, I will summit this peak!
The views from the top look pretty awesome with views over both Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. My favourite hikes are ones that look out over a lake.
Milford sound base camp
Chris and I went to Milford Sound for the first time in November of 2021. To say my mind was completely blown is an understatement. And thoughts of exploring the area filled my mind thinking of the amazing views the tracks hold.
It was of course raining and windy and for some stupid reason, we didn’t have the right gear so we didn’t explore as much as I would have loved to. Which means, time to go back. The area is completely new to me and I can’t say I tramp in rain often if at all so my first trip back I’m thinking it’d be a good idea to explore the well-known tracks before going backcountry. When it comes to tramping, I don’t like to bite off more than I can chew.
On the list is of course the popular ones, Lake Marian, Key summit track, the Chasm, Humbolt Falls and Lake Gunn. A mix of easy tracks and days hikes.
Lake Angelus Hut- Nelson Lakes National Park
1650 meters | 900 m change | 35.6 km return | 12-hour return
It seems that Lake Angelus Hut is becoming more and more popular despite the difficulty of the track. It’s one I am definitely aiming to do in the summertime as winter conditions bring on a whole new risk that I am not well adverse to yet. DOC has a good brochure dedicated to this track here.
The hike to the hut is about 12.2 km one way depending on what route you take. About 5-6 hours of hiking and over 900 meters of elevation gain. It sounds like the best tracks to take are to head up the Pinchgut track and come down the Speargrass track. Pinchgut is the most popular route and Speargrass is good for mucky weather as it’s not as exposed.
Tongariro crossing Track (day track)- Tongariro
1886 meters | 760 m change | 19.4 km | 8 hour
I would love to get myself on the great walk so I’ll definitely keep that an option but for now, I’d be quite chuffed to do the crossing. Forever a tourist :D! Ever since the world closed up though I’ve wanted to get up to the Tongariro Crossing asap. It’s an extremely busy track in ‘normal’ times so it’d be great to take advantage of potentially less traffic.
The Tongariro Crossing is busy for a good reason. Not only are the views out of this world but Tongariro is also an UNESCO site and the oldest national park in New Zealand. DOC has another awesome track guide here which will come in handy if the option of a great walk is in the cards for us.
Aotea Track- Great Barrier Island
There is something about Great Barrier Island that just draws me in. It’s a bit more off the grid and hiking down there is a good mix of bush walks and ocean views. It’s an absolute nature lovers paradise. This track is accessible at any time of year of the year as well so apart from the wind, I don’t have to be too worried about snow and avalanches.
It looks like there are a few places to start the track. I think we would start the track at Windy Canyon and stay in Kaiaraara Hut the first night. We’d then head to Mt Heale Hut for the second night ending at Kaitoke Hot springs. There seems to be a few side trips from the huts as well and some beautiful birdlife!
I feel I could keep adding onto this list but I’ll stop there. Have you done any of these hikes? What tracks are on your goals list?