There are many Great Walks in New Zeland. The New Zealand Great Walks are a set of popular tramping tracks which are created for long-distance walks in the rough country side. These Great Walks are premier tracks which pass through diverse and spectacular scenery. Great Walk regions comprise landscapes including forests, lakes, rivers, rugged mountain peaks, deep gorges, and vast valleys. There are 10 Great Walks which are developed and maintained by the Department of Conservation of New Zeland.
Great Walks tracks of New Zeland are well-formed and easy to follow. Many people prefer to explore on their own terms, but there are guided trips offered by the Department of Conservation. Great Walks are accessible from major towns of New Zealand. These are well serviced by local operators and they provide accommodation and transport services. There is an option to either camp or use the Great Walk bunk huts on the Paparoa Track.
The tenth Great Walk called the Paparoa Track designed to commemorate the lives of the 29 miners who died at the Pike River Mine Disaster of 2010. This track is a 55km stretch which is towards the West Coast of New Zealand. The West Coast is the home to the Haast World Heritage Area. It runs from Blackball (in the east of the Paparao Range) to Punakaiki (located on the western side) and passes through varied landscapes including the subtropical rain forest, alpine tops and to the dramatic limestone gorge of the Pororari River. The track has four major suspension bridges. It remains open all throughout the year and is known for high rainfall and severe storms that can occur anytime of the year. It takes three to four days of hiking. Mountain biking is also allowed in this Great Walk track.
The other Great Walks of New Zeland are: Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Whanganui Journey, Abel Tasman Coast Track, Heaphy Track, Routeburn Track, Milford Track, Kepler Track, and Stewart Track.