Abel Tasman Coastal Track

Golden sands and coastal magic. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track (60km / 37 miles) is New Zealand's most popular Great Walk. Located at the northern tip of the South Island, it winds along a coastline of stunning golden-sand beaches, turquoise bays, and lush native forest. This is the gentlest of the Great Walks, featuring mild temperatures and relatively flat terrain. It is unique for its flexibility, with hikers often combining walking with sea kayaking or using water taxis to skip sections or transport their luggage.

Following the historic path used by the Army of the Andes in 1817, this 6-day trans-Andean expedition traverses the central cordillera from Mendoza, Argentina, to the Cajón del Maipo in Chile. The route crosses two significant high-altitude barriers—Portillo Argentino (4,330m) and Paso Piuquenes (4,030m). Hikers move through a high desert landscape of volcanic rock, vast glacial valleys, and the powerful Tunuyán River. The terrain consists primarily of rocky mountain paths, loose scree on the steeper pass approaches, and high-altitude plateaus where exposure to wind and sun is constant.