Hiker planning a Great Walk in New Zealand using a topographic wall map from Tides Out Maps

What to Know Before Booking a Great Walk in NZ (2025/26 Season Guide)

What to Know Before Booking a Great Walk in NZ (2025/26 Season Guide)

🥾 Great Walks, Great Planning

New Zealand’s Great Walks are more than trails—they’re immersive journeys through Aotearoa’s most spectacular landscapes. From alpine ridgelines to native bush, glacial valleys to coastal wonderlands, each walk offers a chance to connect with nature, challenge yourself, and create unforgettable memories.

But before you lace up your boots, there’s one important step: securing your booking. With high demand and limited hut and campsite availability, planning ahead is essential—especially for the 2025/26 season.

Here’s your full guide to booking a Great Walk, plus tips on commemorating the adventure with a Tides Out NZ Topographic Map.

đź“… When Do Bookings Open for the 2025/26 Season?

Bookings for Great Walks, huts, campsites, and lodges are currently open for stays through to 30 June 2025.

The 2025/26 season bookings open in May 2025, with exact dates announced by the Department of Conservation (DOC) a few weeks prior.

🗓️ Check the official DOC bookings page →

Pro tip: Sign up for DOC alerts or follow them on social media to stay updated. The most popular walks (like Milford Track, Routeburn, and Abel Tasman) book out within hours of opening.

🥾 Which Great Walk Is Right for You?

Each Great Walk has its own character, terrain, and level of difficulty. Consider:

📍 Tip: Browse maps and trail highlights before booking—knowing the terrain helps you pack (and plan) better.

🏕️ How to Book a Great Walk

  1. Create a DOC account (recommended ahead of time)

  2. Go to the DOC online bookings portal

  3. Choose your walk, dates, and hut or campsite

  4. Book quickly—spaces can disappear in minutes

  5. Receive a confirmation email with important track details and requirements

🧭 Turn the Walk Into a Keepsake

Once you’ve walked it… what next?

For many trampers, the Great Walk becomes a life moment—one worth commemorating. At Tides Out Maps, we offer a handcrafted way to bring your journey home.

Our NZ Topographic Maps:

  • Feature layered terrain and natural contour lines

  • Can be personalised with route markers, names, and dates

  • Make perfect gifts for walking partners, couples, or solo hikers

  • Are designed and crafted in Aotearoa

đź“Ť Example: Just completed the Te Araroa Walk with your partner? Mark the start and finish points, engrave your names, and hang it in your home as a reminder of the trail you shared.

👉 Explore the NZ Topo XL Map →
👉 Add a Bespoke Touch to Your Map →

🎒 Bonus Tips Before You Book

  • Start training early: Some tracks are multi-day, full-pack hikes.

  • Gear up smart: Wet weather gear, good boots, and merino layers are essentials.

  • Transport logistics: Book water taxis or shuttles as soon as you book the track.

  • Leave no trace: Respect the whenua and follow all DOC guidelines.

  • Consider a shoulder-season booking for fewer crowds.

🗺️ Walk It. Map It. Remember It.

Whether it’s your first Great Walk or your tenth, each trail leaves a mark. At Tides Out Maps, we believe in keeping those moments alive—on your wall, in your heart, and in your story.

Ready to plan your 2025/26 walk?

🗓️ Book huts and campsites on the DOC website →
🧭 Shop NZ Great Walk Topo Maps →

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