Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

The perfect introduction to tramping

Wilderness

LETTER of THE MONTH

Your trips, YOUR PIX • What did you get up to last weekend?

HANDLING RIVERS LIKE A PRO

THE BACKCOUNTRY TRUST GETS FUNDING

GOODBYE TO KIWI GUARDIANS

FOUR QUESTIONS FOR PRESIDENT DIMOZANTOS

ACCESSIBILITY IN THE OUTDOORS

WORSE STORMS, LONGER TRACK CLOSURES TO COME

Where to walk away from home • We asked Walk 1200km participants where they suggest visitors go to appreciate the best of their area. Responses range from all-time favourites to lesser-known forest tracks.

A FOUR-SEASON ADVOCATE

#microchallenge 28-30 winners! • Want to win gear and vouchers from Walk1200km partners? Complete the #microchallenges as these Walk1200km participants have done and receive a Walk1200km badge. The best efforts receive a special prize from our partners!

A diagnosis from afar • When a tramper became dizzy and began vomiting while walking Te Araroa Trail, help initially came from the other side of the world.

STUPID TRAMPING • Mostly you will know it when you're just halfway through: this one's not worth the effort.

ARE SIGNS OVERWHELMING US? • Warning! Danger! Do not enter! The plethora of signs found on tracks and at huts could be putting people off going for a tramp.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN ARTHUR'S PASS • AMBER COL, ARTHUR'S PASS NATIONAL PARK

SIMMERING VOLCANO • CRATER LAKE, TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

Cone Ridge via Tōtara Flats Hut, Tararua Forest Park • Trip opportunities abound for all experience levels along the lower reaches of the Waiohine, the longest river in the Tararua Range.

Norma, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve • This beautiful walk offers grand views of glacial valleys and can be walked in any season.

Gerhardt Spur Bivouac, West Coast • The trail to Gerhardt Spur Biv tantalises with brief glimpses of the mountains ahead as you walk through spicy-scented pink pine.

Tāwharanui Regional Park circuit, Auckland • Enjoy the bush and birdlife that thrive inside the predator-proof fence on this walk.

LAND OF LAKES • The Travers–Sabine in Nelson Lakes National Park, traversing two magnificent valleys, is considered one of New Zealand's classic hikes. This slight diversion, with more lakes and more time on the tops, might be even better.

TREATING WAR trauma WITH NATURE • AN EX-SAS SOLDIER IS HELPING OTHER VETERANS DEAL WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS BY TAKING THEM SEA KAYAKING IN ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

7 reasons to do THE GREAT WALKS • They're called Great Walks for a reason, but why should you do one?

THE HEAPHY, THEN AND NOW • Meet a couple who retraced their steps on the Heaphy Track as a family, 20 years after doing it the first time.

THE GREAT WALKS TRIPLE CROWN • Why do one Great Walk when you can do three? Wilderness spoke to two trampers who ticked off the South Island Great Walks Triple Crown.

GREAT WALKS BOOKINGS ARE EASY IN WINTER • Missed out on snaring that elusive Great Walks booking? Try going out of season instead.

HIKE ‘N’ SWIM • Almost as good as walking one of the best tracks in the country is taking a cooling dip at the end of the day. Wilderness polled trampers on their favourite Great Walk swimming spots.

HEARD AND FELT, BUT NOT SEEN • The Great Walks are an experience everyone can enjoy, as these sight-impaired trampers discovered.

ONE-POT THAI GREEN CURRY • A lightweight and filling soya protein meal that can be cooked in just one pot.

HOW RISKY IS IT? • Many outdoor adventures involve a degree of...