From the lush landscapes of the "Lord of the Rings" films to the country's gleaming white sand beaches, New Zealand is filled with remarkable natural beauty. And what better way to explore that beauty than to get out in it and go for a walk? Here's a list of some of the best one-day hikes on the North Island.
1.Tongariro Alpine Crossing
This 12-mile hike is easily accessible from nearby The Park Hotel, Ruapehu, and it's far and away the most popular in New Zealand. And it's no wonder: it cuts through stark volcanic terrain that's notoriously inhospitable, but provides breathtaking views. Most notoriously, it travels over the active Mount Tongariro, with its twelve cones, and tourists have the option of taking a scramble path up nearby Mount Ngauruhoe in the summer. Be sure to bring plenty of fresh water for the trip, and make sure to respect the land here -- it's sacred to the Maori people.
2. Coromandel Coastal Walkway
The Coromandel Coastal Walkway is a three- to four-hour trip along the Coromandel Peninsula. It hugs an old bridle path, and provides eye-popping clifftop views of orcas and dolphins in the bay on one side, and native bush flora and fauna on the other. This pathway can be walked or biked, and tours leave daily from nearby Coromandel. Snag a room at the nearby Driving Creek Villas Hotel -- one of the best hotels in Coromandel -- and get ready for an adventure.
3. Te Henga Walkway
This walk takes about four hours. It starts inland, moving toward the ocean and heading up steep clifftops in the process. The route forks midway through, but if you take the longer path toward Constable Road, one of the last stops on the journey is the so-called Devil's Staircase. This is a natural rock formation that's a challenging climb, but worth it for the view at the summit! This can be a challenging climb, so be sure to spend a restful night at a nearby Auckland hotel, like the Heritage Auckland, before you attempt it.
The North Island offers many exciting, scenic journeys for intrepid travelers -- and many of them don't take any longer than a day. Don some comfortable shoes, pack a lunch and some water, and get walking. The journey may take only a few hours, but it'll change your life.
