Hiking in the South Island - New Zealand's South Island - page 53

Websites
www.trampingtracks.co.nz Descriptions, maps and photos of long and short tramps all over NZ.
www.tramper.co.nz Articles, photos, forums and excellent track and hut information.
www.trampingnz.com Region-by-region track info with readable trip reports.
www.topomap.co.nz Online topographic map of the whole country.
www.mountainsafety.org.nz Safety tips, gear advice and courses.
www.peakbagging.org.nz Find a summit and get up on top of it.
Track Classifications
Tracks in NZ are classified according to various features, including level of difficulty. We
loosely refer to the level of difficulty as easy, medium, hard or difficult. The widely used
track classification system is as follows:
Short Walk Well formed; possibly allows for wheelchair access or is constructed to 'shoe' standard (ie walking boots
not required). Suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Walking Track Easy and well-formed longer walks; constructed to 'shoe' standard. Suitable for people of most ages
and fitness levels.
Easy Tramping Track or Great Walk Well formed; major water crossings have bridges and track junctions have signs.
Light walking boots required.
Tramping Track Requires skill and experience; constructed to 'boot' standard. Suitable for people of average physical
fitness. Water crossings may not have bridges.
Route Requires a high degree of skill, experience and navigation skills. Well-equipped trampers only.
Great Walks
Six of NZ's nine official 'Great Walks' are on the South Island. Natural beauty abounds,
but prepare yourself for crowds, especially over summer.
All six of the South Island's Great Walks are described in Lonely Planet's Hiking &
Tramping in New Zealand, and are detailed in pamphlets provided by DOC visitor centres
and online at www.greatwalks.co.nz .