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. Streams and rivers are bridged.

Track markers: No track markers as the track is well defined.

Footwear required: Walking shoes.

Typical tracks: Milford Foreshore Walk, Kingswood Bush Scenic Reserve

Duration: Easy walking for up to an hour.

Suitable for: People of most ages and fitness levels.

Standard: The track is well formed, with an even, well-drained surface. There may be steps. Stream and river crossings are bridged.

Track markers: No track markers as the track is well defined.

Footwear required: Walking shoes.

Typical tracks: Foveaux Walkway, Lake Monowai Peninsula Lookout Track

Duration: Gentle walking from a few minutes to a day.

Suitable for: People with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Some tracks are suitable for mountain biking.

Standard: The track is mostly well-formed. Some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged.

Track markers: The 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 bush line, marker poles are used instead.

Footwear required: Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots.

Typical tracks: Round Hill/Long Hilly Track, Lake Mistletoe Track

Duration: Comfortable multi-day tramping/hiking

Suitable for: People with limited backcountry (remote area) experience. Some tracks are suitable for mountain biking.

Standard: The track is generally well-formed. Some sections may be rough, muddy or steep. The track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and river crossings are bridged.

Track markers: The 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 bush line, marker poles are used instead.

Footwear required: Light tramping/hiking boots.

Typical tracks: Rakiura Track, Milford Track

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 are suitable for mountain biking.

Standard: The track is mostly unformed and may be rough and steep. The track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged streams and river crossings.

Track markers: The 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 bush line, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead.

Footwear required: Tramping/hiking boots.

Typical tracks: Dusky Track, Mavora Greenstone Walkway

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 is required.

Standard: Track unformed and natural, may be rough, muddy or very steep. The track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged streams and river crossings.

Track markers: The 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 bush line, marker poles or rock cairns are used instead.

Footwear required: Sturdy tramping/hiking boots.

Typical tracks: Deadmans Track, Gertrude Saddle Route