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Below is an alphabetical list of the best walks and treks from New Zealand’s West Coast.
The Bold ones are tracks from around Greymouth while the rest are found in the Buller and South Westland Districts. Be sure to ask us if you would like to know more about the walks.
Alex Knob Track
It’s a 4-hour climb to the top of Alex Knob. The track zigzags up to Rata Lookout for a view of the Franz Josef Glacier. From there follow the marked track to the summit.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 8 hr return
Arahura & Styx Valleys Tracks
The Arahura and Styx valleys are popular areas for tramping and hunting. The main access in both valleys is via benched formations constructed during the early gold mining days.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 2 - 4 days. Times shown are a general guide only.
Big River Tramping Tracks
One of the most intact mining areas, it has a remarkable array of goldmining relics including a poppet head and steam winder. Walking access is either from Waiuta or Lewis Pass Highway 11 km east of Reefton.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 3 – 5 Hours
Brunner Mine Site
Inland from the turn off to Taylorville, this is the site of NZ’s worst mining disaster in 1896 where 65 men perished. An old coal mining area with coke ovens and coal mining relics. Lovely walk into the bush and along the river including historic 1876 suspension bridge. Many information boards explaining the ruins and remains.
Category: Short Walk
Completion Time: Various
Callery-Waiho Walk
Follow the Callery-Waiho Walk as it climbs to a high terrace before descending to the Callery River. The track then continues on to the Roberts Point Track. The Callery-Waiho walk begins in the Franz Josef Township
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 2 hr 30 min
Canavan’s Knob Walk
Canavans Knob Walk is now open after extensive upgrading. Canavans Knob Walk is located two kilometres south of Franz Josef.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 40 min return
Cape Foulwind Walkway
Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay are on the coastline about 16 km south-west of Westport. Tracks include the Seal Colony Walk and the Cape Foulwind Walkway.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
Chalet Lookout Track
This 1 hour 30 minute return walk follows an old glacier access road through rata and kamahi forest to Chalet Lookout. The track is located two kilometres south of Fox Glacier Township.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return
Charming Creek Walkway
Scenery and history combine in this three-hour walk on an old railway formation. The southern end is clearly signposted from the main highway at Ngakawau, 35 km north-east of Westport. The northern end is through Seddonville and 10km along gravel road to the walkway entrance at the abandoned Charming Creek mine site.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 5.5 km
Completion Time: 6 hr
Coal Creek Falls Walk
A beautiful forest walk with an amazing waterfall at the end. This is the original track that led to the first commercial coal mine on the Coast. The track starts at the back of Runanga on the main Coast Road and takes you into the Coal Creek Valley
the track ending at Coal Creek Falls.
Category: Walking Track
Distance: 3.6 km return
Completion Time: 1 hour return
Croesus Track
Croesus Track is an 18-km trek across the Paparoa Range between Blackball in the Grey Valley and Barrytown on the Tasman Sea Coast.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 18 km
Completion Time: 7 - 8 hr
Denniston Walking Tracks
Explore the wild and remote environment of the Denniston Plateau high above the town of Westport. The historic sites provide a glimpse of times gone by.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: Various
Douglas Walk
The Douglas Walk is an easy forest walk that passes by the Peters Pool viewpoint and crosses several moraines before descending to the bridge across Dolly Creek on the way back to the road. The track entrance is signposted in the main glacier carpark, 4.5 km up the Franz Josef glacier access road.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1 hr return
Fox Glacier Te Moeka o Tuawe Valley Walks
There are several walks in the Fox Glacier Valley each offering spectacular glacier views. Most of the walks are short and can be attempted by people of average fitness levels.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various
Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere Walk
The 40-minute walk to the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier follows a rocky path over riverbed. Only experienced visitors should attempt climbing the glacier.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return
Haast Pass Highway Walks
The main route through the Haast, State Highway 6, is part of the heritage highway system. Access to many walks and scenic attractions is directly off this highway.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various
Harihari Coastal Walkway
Harihari Coastal Walkway is one of the most scenic walkways on the West Coast, with spectacular views of forest, rivers, mountains and coastline.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 2 hr 45 min
Historic Haast to Paringa Cattle Track
This track was built in 1875 by farmers at Haast. Stock were driven from the Landsborough and Cascade valleys to sale yards at Whataroa, a two-week journey at best. It’s now a three-day tramp.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 3 days
Inangahua Suspension Bridge Tracks
Follow the disused Progress Water Race to the historic Golden Lead Battery. Located 11 km east of Reefton on the Lewis Pass Highway.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 2 – 6 hours return
Jackson Bay Okahu Walks
European settlement was attempted at Jackson Bay Okahu during the 1870s. The pioneers’ attempt to “tame” the landscape was largely unsuccessful but their efforts left a tradition of South Westland residents as being tough and resilient.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: Various
Kirwans Reward Track
Kriwans Hill near Reefton provides views of the ruggedly beautiful Victoria Range.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 2 - 3 days
Lake Christabel Tracks
Set in a spectacular landscape west of Lewis Pass, the lake provides a good habitat for native fish. Located 3 kilometres west of Springs Junction.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: Various
Lake Kaniere Short Walks
At Lake Kaniere, short forest walks lead to picnic areas, waterfalls and sandy beaches ideal for swimming.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 2 – 30 minutes
Lake Kaniere Walking Tracks
Lake Kaniere Walkway passes picturesque bays, forest streams, lush lakeside forest and a lookout point, while Kaniere Water Race Walkway follows a historic power station water race.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 3 – 4 hours one way
Lake Matheson Walk
Famous for mirror views of Mt Aoraki/Cook, Mt Tasman and Mt La Perous, at Lake Matheson you can take a walk to the jetty or a walk around the lake.
Category: Easy access walk
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
Lake Wombat Track
The Lake Wombat Track leads you through a lush rimu forest to the idyllic Lake Wombat, south of the Franz Josef Township.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
Mahinapua Short Walks
There are a number of short walks to choose from in Mahinapua Scenic Reserve, 10 km south of Hokitika.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various
Mahinapua Walkway
Following an old logging tramline, the walkway reveals many relics of the 1885 sawmill’s activities. Located 8 km south of Hokitika on State Highway 6.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 2 hr - 2 hr 30 min
Minnehaha Walk
This delightful walk follows a stream through the rainforest. Return along the road or back along the track. The start of the track begins 50 metres south of the Fox Glacier township on SH6.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 20 min
Mount Fox Route
Mount Fox Route is just 3 km south of the town of Fox Glacier. The challenging 3 - 3.5 hour climb to the top is only suitable for experienced and properly equipped trampers.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 6 hr return
Mount Tuhua Track
This is a steep tramp to the open tussock peak of Mt. Tuhua (1125 m) and is suitable for fit people only. 19 kilometres along Lake Kaniere Road, Hokitika.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 7 hr return
Nelson Creek Walks
Nelson Creek is an excellent spot to go walking, camping and exploring. With historic water races, tunnels, recreational gold fossicking and a number of short walks, there is plenty to do. From Greymouth follow SH 7 north to Ngagere.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various
Okarito Walking Tracks
North of the Franz Josef Township sits the coastal settlement of Okarito and the Okarito Lagoon. The lagoon is home to more than 76 species of native birds including the kotuku/white heron and royal spoonbills.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: Various
Oparara Basin Short Walks
The Oparara Basin is considered one of the finest features of Kahurangi National Park near Karamea. An old forestry road provides access for walkers, cavers and other wilderness enthusiasts.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various
Oparara Basin Walking Tracks
The Oparara Basin is considered one of the finest features of Kahurangi National Park. The Oparara Road provides access to Oparara Basin for walkers and cavers.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: Various
Pakihi Walk
Pakihi Walk climbs through kamahi and rimu forest to a platform lookout. It’s a 30-minute return trip. Located north of Franz Josef.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 30 min
Peters Pool Walk
The spectacular view at Peters Pool includes Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, and the Fritz Range, including Mt Moltke and Mt Roon.
Category: Easy access walk
Completion Time: 25 min
Point Elizabeth Walkway
Seascapes, coastal forest and gold mining remains are features of the 5-km Point Elizabeth Walkway that links Cobden’s North Beach with Rapahoe.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 5 km
Completion Time: 2 hr
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk
A 20-minute loop walk explores this limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 20 min loop walk
Reefton Short Walks
Explore Reefton’s historic area, including 24 historic buildings, a powerhouse and an old coal mine.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various
Roberts Point Track
The Roberts Point Track requires a good level of fitness. After walking one hour you will reach Hendes Hut. From there the track continues to climb on to Roberts Point where the Franz Josef glacier views are spectacular.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 9 hr
Sentinel Rock Walk
Just a short distance south of the Franz Josef Township you will come to the Glacier and Sentinel Rock walks. The Sentinel Rock Lookout offers impressive views of the glacier, the valley and Waiho River.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 20 min
Stafford Bay Route
Stafford Bay is approximately 50 km south of the Haast Junction near the Jackson Bay Okahu wharf. The tracks and routes in the area can be challenging and are recommended for fit and well-equipped trampers.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 5 hr
Tatare Tunnels Walk
The 80-minute return Tatare Tunnels Walk follows an old 4WD road to a junction with the Callery/Waiho Walk. From there follow the track to the old water tunnels. The walk starts at the northern end of Cowan Street in Franz Josef township.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1 hr 20 min return
Tauranga Bay Seal Colony Walk
From the Tauranga Bay Car Park follow the short track to platforms that overlook the seal colony and coastline. Picnic facilities, interpretive displays and public toilets are available. Located 16 kilometres south-west of Westport.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 20 min
Terrace Walk
Follow the Terrace Walk as it winds through forest and goes by remnants of past goldmining operations. The 30 minute return Terrace walk starts 50m south of ‘Our Lady of the Alps’ church on State Highway 6.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 30 min
Waitangitaona Wetland Walk
The Waitangitaona Wetland Walk is an easy walk through a regenerating kahikatea forest and flax wetland to a viewing platform with spectacular views of the Southern Alps, Ka Tiritiri o te Moana. Located 9 kilometres from Whataroa.
Category: Easy access walk
Completion Time: 20 min
Waiuta Walking Tracks
Learn about walking tracks at Waiuta-one of the West Coast’s best known ghost towns. Signposted from the Reefton highway (SH 7), 21 km south of Reefton. Follow the sealed and shingle road a further 16 km to Waiuta.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: Various
Walks North of Haast Township
The walks in this area provide travellers with magnificent photo opportunities which include a dune lake, sweeping coastline, forest plants and wildlife.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various