Walking track categories
Introduction
Choose a track to match your skills, fitness and the experience you want.All tracks listed on this website are given one of these six walking track categories.
Duration: Easy walking for up to an hour.
Suitable for: People of all abilities, wheelchairs, buggies and strollers.
Standard: Even surface, well formed with no steps or steep sections. Stream and rivers are bridged.
Track markers: No track markers as the track is well defined.
Footwear required: Walking shoes.
Typical tracks: Cape Reinga Lighthouse Walk, Milford Foreshore Walk
Find walks in the 'Easiest: Easy access short walk' category.
Duration: Easy walking for up to an hour.
Suitable for: People of most ages and fitness levels.
Standard: Track is well formed, with an even, well drained surface. There may be steps. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged.
Track markers: No track markers as the track is well defined.
Footwear required: Walking shoes.
Typical tracks: Riwaka Resurgence, Waterworks Walk
Duration: Gentle walking from a few minutes to a day.
Suitable for: People with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Some tracks suitable for mountain biking.
Standard: Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged.
Track markers: Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles are used instead.
Footwear required: Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots.
Typical tracks: Arthur's Pass Walking Track, Orongorongo Track
Duration: Comfortable multi-day tramping/hiking
Suitable for: People with limited backcountry (remote area) experience. Some tracks suitable for mountain biking.
Standard: Track is generally well formed, some sections may be rough, muddy or steep. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and river crossings are bridged.
Track markers: Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles are used instead.
Footwear required: Light tramping/hiking boots.
Typical tracks: Tongariro Northern Circuit, Lake Daniell Track
Find walks in the 'Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping track' category
Duration: Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
Suitable for: People with moderate to high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, navigation and survival skills required. Some tracks suitable for mountain biking.
Standard: Track is mostly unformed, may be rough and steep. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings.
Track markers: Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead.
Footwear required: Tramping/hiking boots.
Typical tracks: Kapakapanui Track, Inland Track
Duration: Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking.
Suitable for: People with high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, navigation and survival skills required. Complete self sufficiency required.
Standard: Track unformed and natural, may be rough, muddy or very steep. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings.
Track markers: Track is clearly marked where necessary with orange triangles attached to trees. Markers of other colours may be present but these indicate biodiversity work areas and are not walking tracks. Above the bushline, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead.
Footwear required: Sturdy tramping/hiking boots.
Typical tracks: Three Passes Route, Tararua Northern Crossing