How hard will this trip be?
- The risks of the activity
- How hard it will be
- What level of fitness is required
- What gear is required
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Hiking
Easiest: Easy access short walk
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.
Footwear required: Walking shoes.
Typical tracks: Cape Reinga Lighthouse Walk | Milford Foreshore Walk
Biking
Easiest: Grade 1
Standard: Fairly flat, wide, smooth track or gravel road.
Typical tracks: Hakarimata Rail Trail | Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
Easy: Walking track
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.
Footwear required: Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots.
Find walks in the ‘Easy’ category
Typical tracks: Arthur’s Pass Walking Track | Orongorongo Track
Easy: Grade 2
Standard: Mostly flat with some gentle climbs on smooth track with easily avoidable obstacles such as rocks and potholes.
Typical tracks: Mahinapua Walkway | Lake Hayes Walkway
Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping 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.
Footwear required: Light tramping/hiking boots.
Find walks in the ‘Intermediate’ category
Typical tracks: Tongariro Northern Circuit | Lake Daniell Track
Intermediate: Grade 3
Standard: Steep slopes and/or avoidable obstacles possibly on narrow track and/or with poor traction. There may be exposure at the track’s outside edge.
Typical tracks: St James Cycle Trail
Advanced: Tramping 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 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.
Footwear required: Tramping/hiking boots.
Find walks in the ‘Advanced’ category
Typical tracks: Kapakapanui Track | Inland Track
Advanced: Grade 4
Standard: A mixture of long, steep climbs, narrow track, poor traction and obstacles that are difficult to avoid or jump over. Generally exposed at the track’s outside edge. Most riders will find some sections easier to walk.
Typical tracks: Grandview Mountain Track | Nydia Track
Expert: Route
Duration: Challenging overnight 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.
Footwear required: Sturdy tramping/hiking boots.
Find walks in the ‘Expert’ category
Typical tracks: Three Passes Route | Tararua Northern Crossing
Expert: Grade 5
Standard: Technically challenging. Giant climbs, narrow track and numerous hazards including dangerous drop-offs, sharp corners and difficult obstacles. Expect walking and possibly bike carrying.
Typical tracks: Hatupatu Trail | Melina Ridge Track