This trek, through New Zealand's most recently gazetted national park, can be hiked year round. As it crosses Kahurangi National Park from Golden Bay to the West Coast of the South Island (just west of Abel Tasman National Park), it showcases a variety of ecosystems, including forests and river valleys, tussock-covered highlands, and a palm-lined beach that some trampers consider one of the most beautiful stretches of trail in the country.

Kahurangi National Park, one of New Zealand's largest, boasts more than 400 miles of trails and a wide range of environments, from 5,700-foot Mount Snowdon to brochure-worthy palm-fringed beaches. The Heaphy Track is the easiest and best maintained of the trails.

Know Before You Go Miles: 51 Days: Four to six Notes: Most hikers go from east to west: get the work (climb) out of the way the first day and end with an easy beach walk. Weather: The Tasman Mountains running through the park are weather-catchers. Precipitation varies widely from year to year, so bring good rain gear.

Move on to Rakiura Track

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