Eight days, two iconic regions, and endless North Island highlights—this is New Zealand’s greatest hits tour for hikers who want it all! Experience the best of the sunny, coastal Coromandel and the dramatic Tongariro National Park, including the legendary Tongariro Crossing. From white-sand beaches and hidden gold mines to volcanic peaks and turquoise crater lakes, every day reveals a new side of Aotearoa’s wild beauty. With local guides who know these trails by heart—and every meal, transfer, and warm lodge stay sorted—all you need to do is walk, look up, and let the North Island work its quiet magic.
Join our guided walk on North Island, NZ for an unforgettable 8-day adventure through its most iconic hiking regions—the coastal Coromandel and the volcanic Tongariro National Park. Explore waterfalls, beaches, forest trails, and alpine peaks with expert local guides. With all meals, accommodation, and transfers included, it’s an easy, worry-free way to experience the very best of the North Island.
We collect you from your central Rotorua accommodation around 8:30 am or from Matamata around 9:30 am. We start the trip with a warm-up hike to the top of Wairere Falls, the North Island’s highest waterfall. From two lookouts suspended above the 153 m drop, we enjoy sweeping views over the Waikato basin. Continuing north, we travel for about two hours along one of New Zealand’s classic coastal drives on the Coromandel west coast, taking in views over the mussel farms of the Hauraki Gulf. We arrive in Coromandel Town, a charming seaside village rich in history, and settle into our accommodation to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset before dinner.
Hiking: 5 km (3 mi), 3–4 hours
Elevation: +153 m (+500 ft)
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hush Boutique Accommodation
After breakfast in the lodge’s outdoor dining area surrounded by native manuka bush, we head north to the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula to walk one of New Zealand’s most stunning coastal tracks. Once used by gold miners, the old bridle path winds through the largest predator-controlled kiwi habitat in the country. As we hike from Fletcher Bay along the coastline, we’re treated to views over the Pacific Ocean toward Great Barrier Island and Mt Moehau. The track is easy-going with one short, steep section leading into and out of Poley Bay—a perfect picnic spot before the return.
Hiking: 12 km (8 mi), 6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hush Boutique Accommodation
This morning we head south into the hidden world of the Kauaeranga Valley, home to the dramatic Pinnacles Range. The trail climbs steadily through regenerating kauri forest, passing one of New Zealand’s best-preserved kauri dams before reaching Pinnacles Hut. From there, a short, steep climb via staircases and steel rungs leads us to the summit, where we’re rewarded with 360° views across the Coromandel Peninsula. This evening, we dine at an award-winning local restaurant and enjoy the region’s best produce and wine.
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi), 6–7 hours
Elevation: +680 m (+2,230 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hush Boutique Accommodation
After breakfast, we pack up and say farewell to our lodge hosts before heading east to one of the world’s top beaches, New Chums Beach. This crescent-shaped white-sand bay, framed by native pohutukawa and nikau palms, feels completely untouched. (Note: walk is tide dependent.) We continue along the coast to visit the 309 Kauri walk—a short trail leading to a grove of majestic kauri trees—before returning to Rotorua. This evening’s meal is at your own leisure, with plenty of excellent dining options nearby.
Hiking: 5 km (3 mi), 3–4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Prince’s Gate Hotel
We depart Rotorua around 8:30 am and head south along the shores of Lake Taupō before ascending onto the central plateau. Our first walk in Tongariro National Park is a 2-hour loop to Taranaki Falls, where water plunges 20 metres over a lava flow from Mt Ruapehu into a boulder-lined pool. After settling into our cozy lodge, we share a hearty two-course meal and toast the start of our Tongariro adventure as the sun sets over the volcanic peaks.
Hiking: 6 km (4 mi), 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Park Hotel
Today we tackle one of the world’s greatest one-day hikes—the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The track leads us through a dramatic alpine landscape of lava fields, crater lakes, steaming vents, and rugged peaks. The panoramic views across Mt Ngauruhoe, Mt Ruapehu, and the central plateau are unforgettable. Our guides bring the journey to life with stories of local legend and geology. Fair weather and good fitness are required for this challenging, iconic hike. After a well-earned celebration, we return to our lodge for a soak in the spa and a relaxed evening meal.
Hiking: 20.2 km (12 mi), 6–8 hours
Elevation: +900 m (+2,950 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Park Hotel
We travel around the southern slopes of Mt Ruapehu to walk the historic Old Coach Road trail. Between 1906 and 1908, this route linked two railheads by horse and coach, and today it’s rich in remnants of early New Zealand industry. The track passes cobbled stone roads, viaducts, tunnels, and relics of workers’ camps, winding through native forest with views over the fertile Ohakune district. If time and conditions allow, we may add a short additional walk or drive up Mt Ruapehu for sweeping views. Tonight, we gather for a final celebration dinner to toast an unforgettable adventure.
Hiking: 15 km (9.5 mi), 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Park Hotel
After breakfast, we farewell the mountains and begin our journey north. If time and legs allow, we enjoy one of several short trails nearby before hiking around Lake Rotopounamu (Greenstone Lake), nestled in the side of Mt Pihanga. The peaceful track circles the lake through lush native forest alive with birdsong. We share a final picnic lunch on Five Minute Beach, a fitting end to our journey. Our conservation efforts in this region support Project Tongariro, which restores native birdlife across the park. We return to Taupō around 3–4 pm and Rotorua around 5–6 pm.
Hiking: 5 km (3 mi), 2–3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Brad is a fabulous host, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the walks. We thoroughly enjoyed our few days and highly recommended using this company. The food was excellent and probably too much. Would love to do it again.
Well organised, great hikes, fantastic food and good company. Definitely will do another trip.
Fab experience with nice friendly guide, Brad who is knowledgeable and prioitises the groups safety. Good variety of walks and forests to explore. Accommodation and food was great. Fun group of like minded of travellers to be with.
Included:
Add-ons (available to add at checkout)
Not included:
In order to join this guided walk on North Island, NZ, great fitness is required. You’ll carry only a daypack containing lunch, water, and warm clothing for 4–7 hours of walking, usually weighing between 3–6 kg (6.5-13 lb) depending on how much water you bring. The evening before the hike, guides provide a detailed safety briefing so you can ask questions and understand what to expect. If at any point the walk feels beyond your comfort level, you have the option to join a shorter hike on selected departures or take the day to relax at the lodge instead.
Throughout the journey, you’ll be supported by your group and one or two professional hiking guides. The guides are qualified First Aiders, carry emergency beacons, and know the local conditions well. You’ll be able to walk at your own pace and enjoy the experience with the reassurance that help is always close by if needed.
The most challenging day will be Day 6—the Tongariro Alpine Crossing—it involves a demanding 7–8 hour hike, a 900-m (2,950 ft) ascent and descent through alpine terrain, with the possibility of crossing thin patches of snow or ice early in the season in November. The climb up Devil’s Staircase over the Mangatepopo Saddle is particularly challenging, so it’s important to include steep stair climbs in your pre-departure training.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more New Zealand hikes here!
Essential items
Clothing
Optional Items
Your guides supply
Group sizes and pricing
Guided walks on North Island, NZ can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this guided walk on North Island, NZ is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
The starting point of your guided walk on North Island, NZ is Rotorua. To get there, most people fly into Auckland Airport (AKL). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Rotorua.
Your guide will pick you up on Day 1 between 8 and 8:30 am from your accommodation in central Rotorua. Alternatively, they can pick you up from your central Matamata accommodation between 9:30 and 9:45 am.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Brad is a fabulous host, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the walks. We thoroughly enjoyed our few days and highly recommended using this company. The food was excellent and probably too much. Would love to do it again.