New Zealand The great walks

Introduction 'When you see someone putting on big boots, you can be sure adventure is about to happen' AA Milne, Winnie the Pooh In the Northern Hemisphere the practice of walking in the wilderness for several days carrying a loaded pack and being self-sufficient is known as trekking or hiking; Australians refer to it as bushwalking; in New Zealand you go tramping. People have been tramping in New Zealand since 1889, when Quintin Mackinnon first led groups up the Clinton Valley on the Milford Track. Since then the numbers of trampers reaching remote corners of the country has increased dramatically, and no wonder. The country is similar in size to the UK but has only around four million inhabitants. Consequently there are vast tracts of unspoilt, empty, natural coastline, forest and mountainous land. Furthermore, there are now more than 12,000km of track criss-crossing this wilderness. The Great Walks represent some of the finest walks in the country. These nine routes, each of which takes between two and five days to complete, have been selected by New Zealand's Department of Conservation on the basis of their outstanding scenery, diversity and universal appeal. So fêted and exceptional are these tracks that they have taken their place in the pantheon of famous footpaths worldwide. Bold, square-jawed tramps over high mountain passes are featured alongside much easier boardwalked trails through native forest or tramps along the country's varied coastline. And because of the excellent network of tracks and huts that comprise the Great Walks, people of all levels of experience can enjoy the wilderness without the trials usually associated with travelling in such remote areas. The uncompromising terrain has been tamed but its drama remains undiminished. The eight walking tracks and (bizarrely) one canoe trip that make up the Great Walks draw on the country's rich history and culture. The tracks were mainly carved out by the early inhabitants of New Zealand, first Maori and then European, and are steeped in both Maori heritage and colonial history. By walking them slowly with your eyes open you should gain a much broader understanding of New Zealand's evolution. They also encompass a huge array of landscapes: the verdant native forests of the North Island, the smouldering volcanic moonscape of the Central Plateau, the glorious beaches of the South Island, the glacier-sculpted landscape of Fiordland and the remote haven of Stewart Island. All are unique, profoundly interesting parts of the country. The indigenous flora and fauna is equally exotic. Tramping will give you unsurpassed access to this natural beauty. New Zealand is a country that demands to be experienced rather than merely viewed and tramping offers the most intimate way of getting to know this exceptional, untainted land. Excerpted from New Zealand - the Great Walks, 2nd: Includes Auckland and Wellington city Guides by Alexander Stewart All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.