Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

Walk your way to a longer life

Wilderness NZ

PIGEON POST

NEVER TOO LATE

LAKE DIVE HUT

MEETING THE WALK1200 KM CHALLENGE

WALKING WORKS

your trips, YOUR PIX

Search and rescue: 150 lives saved in 2021/22

WILDERNESS WORD

Good for you, good for the environment • For 55 years, Lowe Alpine has led the way in making packs designed to carry everything needed for your adventures. Now, it's leading the charge to a sustainable pack industry.

I'm doing it! • Three Walk1200km participants share their reasons and experiences.

One foot in front of the other • Walking and exercise aren't just the medicine that helped David Slack recover from a heart attack: they help him be more productive too.

November's #microchallenges • Each month three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and fun to your kilometres.

TARANAKI MAUNGA VS MT RUAPEHU • We asked two outdoors people with intimate knowledge of their respective mountains to argue the case for Mt Ruapehu and Taranaki Maunga.

Some kids just love rough tramps • While parents might love the views or the serenity of the forest, many children prefer the physical challenges of the outdoors.

SEE MORE … MOUNT COOK BUTTERCUP • Visit these five locations to see one of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine plants in flower.

A WELCOME FRONT COUNTRY RETREAT • HEREPAI HUT, Tararua Forest Park

THE DUSKY'S BEST VIEW • MT MEMPHIS, Fiordland National Park

Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway, NORTHLAND • One of the best coastal walks in New Zealand, with outstanding views from Bream Head to the Coromandel Peninsula, Great Barrier and Little Barrier islands.

Mid Caples Hut, GREENSTONE-CAPLES CONSERVATION AREA • The Caples Valley is especially beautiful where it runs through long grassy flats fringed by thick beech forest, beneath the towering battlements of the Humboldt and Ailsa mountains. The walk is easy and varied, with small gorges interspersed by large river flats.

Totara Flats Hut via Lower Waiohine Track, TARARUA FOREST PARK • A trip to Totara Flats will be agreeable to groups of all abilities. It's reasonably flat and short, with a hut that's nicely situated and well appointed.

Woolshed Creek Hut loop, HAKATERE CONSERVATION PARK • A walk up the Rhyolite Ridge Track offers the option of walking a loop to Woolshed Creek Hut.

AMONG THE TARNS • Alpine basins with a multitude of tarns large and small make a traverse of the Ella Range a magical experience.

SOUNDS INCREDIBLE • THE LINK PATHWAY, A NEW CYCLE TRAIL BETWEEN PICTON AND HAVELOCK, OFFERS EASY RIDING WITH GORGEOUS MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS VIEWS.

ANOTHER WALK IN THE WOODS • AN UNFORESEEN BENEFIT OF WALKING THE SAME TRAPLINE OVER AND AGAIN IS THAT IT ALLOWS YOU TO TRULY KNOW A PLACE.

Predicting the NEXT BIG BANG • Volcanoes are unpredictable, but scientists are working to pinpoint the signs that suggest an eruption is imminent; research that is helping those charged with managing volcanic risk in New Zealand's oldest national park.

GOOD TO KNOW

FAMILY TIES • Three cousins follow in the footsteps of their ancestors on a traverse of the Ruahine Ranges and find themselves grateful for the huts and bridges denied their forebears.

RIVER CROSSING DECISIONS • How do you know a river or stream crossing will be safe?

Creamy mushroom pasta • Cream and mushrooms are a classic combination, here paired with pasta for a simple yet seriously delicious meal.

A SHORT LITTLE GUIDE TO THE TRAIL BATHROOM • Intimidating at...