Introduction To Tramping In New Zealand

Trampingis the word used in New Zealand for walking on tracks and trails, muchthe same as hiking or trekking. Tramping is a very popular pastime forNew Zealanders, one of the reasons for this is that almost everyonelives within an hours drive of a good tramping track. There is goodtramping all over New Zealand.

The Queenstown area in particular has a lot of awesome tramping tracks. One of the best is the Rees-Dart track.

If you're really keen you could try tramping the length of New Zealand.It's still a bit of a work in progress but it is possible to walk thelength of New Zealand staying on tracks most of the time. This track iscalled Te Araroa - The Long Pathway. The route of Te Araroa takes in a huge variety of terrain from beach walking to alpine passes.

Many visitors to New Zealand are a bit suprised at the roughness ofsome of the tracks. Most of the really popular walks have wellmaintained tracks but the other tracks are a lot more rugged, whiletaking a little more effort and care it is well worth it as you reallyfeel like you're on a mission in the wilderness rather than strollingdown a nicely constructed path. Because New Zealand has such a lowpopulation and a large number of tramping tracks it is almostimpossible to maintain them all to a high standard.

The hut system in New Zealand is absolutely brilliant. Huts cost $5 to$15 per night or about $90 for a season pass. The great walks have moremodern huts and cost a bit more. The season pass allows you to stay inany of the Department of Conservation huts in New Zealand, the onlyexception is the great walks were you have to pay an additional fee.While most of the hut's a very simple they make a brilliantly cosyalternative to a tent when the weather turns bad. They generally have afire place inside so you can keep yourself nice and warm. The huts alsoprovide a good way to meet other trampers as you sit around the tableand discuss the day.