Category: Moderate

The Pyramid, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ

Views of the Southern Alps and nearby Mt Potts on this off-track walk up The Pyramid (1748m), in Hakatere Conservation Park.

The big walk up Mt Potts was one of our favourites, and along the way you get views of The Pyramid (1748m). This peak is an easier alternative, but is entirely off track, so still not a beginner’s walk. Views of the Southern Alps are excellent, as are views of the southern face of Mt Potts. The long approach over mostly tussock is not so interesting however, and takes the sheen off the overall walking experience. Continue reading “The Pyramid, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ”

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur’s Pass National Park NZ

Multiple attractive tarns and mountain views on this walk up onto the Kelly Range via Carroll Hut, in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Most of my favourite walks involve climbing a named peak for epic views. But an always worthy alternative is to visit a cluster of mountain tarns, and the Kelly Range has some real beauties. There are excellent views along the way, and continuing on a bit past the tarns to point 1363m will top it all off with big views of Tara Tama and the Taipo Valley.  Continue reading “Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur’s Pass National Park NZ”

Jebibong Peak 제비봉, Woraksan 월악산 National Park, South Korea

Just moderate effort will get you up Jebibong Peak, with spectacular views of Chungju-ho Lake, mountains, cliffs & forest along the way.

This walk up Jebibong Peak in Woraksan National Park was a plan B for us, but unded up being a real gem. For just moderate effort in less than half a day you get spectacular views of Chungju-ho Lake, the largest in South Korea, surrounded by mountains, cliffs and lush forest. Continue reading “Jebibong Peak 제비봉, Woraksan 월악산 National Park, South Korea”

End Peak from Treble Cone Ski Field, Wānaka NZ

Get a leg up on this climb to End Peak (2100m) from Treble Cone Ski Field, with great views of Lake Wānaka & the Harris Mountains backcountry.

End Peak (2100m) offers grand views of Lake Wānaka to the east, and over the Harris Mountains backcountry to the west. If you had to climb it from the bottom it would be a real slog, but thankfully you can get a leg up starting at Treble Cone Ski Field (~1260m). Once the steep climb onto the ridge is finished, it’s then fairly easy ridge travel all the way to the summit, with great views the whole way. Lake Wānaka is always there, but views of a heart shaped tarn are an added bonus for reaching the summit.  Continue reading “End Peak from Treble Cone Ski Field, Wānaka NZ”

Mt Dewar – Skippers Road Loop, Queenstown NZ

Excellent views of the Wakatipu Basin, Richardson Mountains and Skippers backcountry on this loop over Mt Dewar & back via Skippers Road.

I had first visited Mt Dewar on the Devils Creek Circuit some years ago, and wasn’t so impressed by the views on that day. Well, what a difference some good lighting makes! This time the views were awesome, including south over the Wakatipu Basin, and north over the Skippers Backcountry and Richardson Mountains. So I can in fact recommend either of these two walks 🙂 Continue reading “Mt Dewar – Skippers Road Loop, Queenstown NZ”

Flat Top Hill Circuit, Alexandra NZ

A fairly unique circuit walk through the rocky and arid Central Otago landscape of Flat Top Hill, with excellent views of Roxburgh Gorge.

On Christmas Day 2022 we decided to chase the best of the weather and head out to Alexandra for the first time in years, doing a circuit walk in Flat Top Hill Conservation Area. It’s a unique rocky and arid landscape punctuated by the aqua colour of the dammed Clutha River in Roxburgh Gorge. You can do a roughly 13km circuit as we did, but a shorter version following just the Basin View Track is enough to see the best scenery in the area. Continue reading “Flat Top Hill Circuit, Alexandra NZ”

Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park, Canterbury NZ

A pleasant circuit walk along the Waterfall Track and Spur Track to the impressive 41m high Dog Stream Waterfall, in Hanmer Forest Park.

This circuit walk to Dog Stream Waterfall along the Waterfall Track and Spur Track is a good half day option if you are staying in nearby Hanmer Springs. The falls are 41m high and on the day we visited there was quite deep snow making it all that bit more scenic. There are a couple of spots with views but this walk is mainly for the waterfall. 

Continue reading “Dog Stream Waterfall Circuit, Hanmer Forest Park, Canterbury NZ”

Moorhouse Range Tops, Tenahaun Conservation Area, Canterbury NZ

Excellent views of the Rangitata River and north-east towards Mt Taylor from the top of the Moorhouse Range (point 1153m).

This lesser known walk to the tops of the Moorhouse Range offers really excellent views of the Rangitata River and Harper Range to the west, and many other peaks including Mt Taylor to the north. There’s just 650m ascent and a fairly straightforward scrub bash to get these views, and you’re unlikely to meet anybody else. We did this walk after quite heavy snowfall so the views were extra good. Continue reading “Moorhouse Range Tops, Tenahaun Conservation Area, Canterbury NZ”

Rangitata Gorge on the Tenahaun Track, Canterbury NZ

An unexpectedly attractive walk through the Rangitata Gorge on the Tenahaun Track, to a viewpoint over mountains to the west.

The Tenahaun Track through the Rangitata Gorge was one of many NZ walks to exceed expectations. Starting near an irrigation canal diversion, the track is through private farmland almost the whole way, but the majority of it through the Rangitata Gorge is spectacular. When out of the gorge you can continue in a couple of directions, but we stopped on some rocks for views over plains to the Harper Range and over the Southern Alps. A very satisfying day out. Continue reading “Rangitata Gorge on the Tenahaun Track, Canterbury NZ”

Chain Hills Circuit, Lindis Valley, Otago NZ

A circuit through the Chain Hills for front and centre views of one of Central Otago’s most attractive mountain ranges, the St Bathans Range.

After first seeing the St Bathans Range with a bit of snow on it I had always wanted to visit and see them up close. So it was after plenty of snowfall that we headed out to a walk in the Chain Hills for front and centre views of this classic Central Otago scene. In snow the walk was scenic up on the tops, and felt quite remote for a day-walk of just moderate difficulty. And you can make a circuit of it by taking the Shilmar, Chain Hills and Long Acre Tracks. Continue reading “Chain Hills Circuit, Lindis Valley, Otago NZ”