Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

WALK MORE IN 2025

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

YOUR TRIPS, YOUR PIX • What did you get up to last weekend?

W.C. DUNCAN PROBABLE CARTOGRAPHER OF ‘MYSTERY' TARARUA MAP

TRAMPING BUCKET LIST FOR 2025

Tasman family protects native forest with walkway

DOC BOOKING SYSTEM ADDS 15 MORE HUTS

THE 15 HUTS ADDED TO THE BOOKING SYSTEM ARE:

GOVERNMENT PROPOSES FEES TO ACCESS CONSERVATION AREA

ONE-WAY HIKES MADE ACCESSIBLE WITH TRAIL-SHARING SERVICE

THE SECRETS OF FOOTWEAR DESIGN • What goes into designing the footwear we rely on for our tramps? Wilderness sat down with designer Otto Stefan from Oboz to learn some of the secrets of the trade.

Walk1200km in 2025 • Whether you do it for your health, your body, your mind or any other reason, you’ll soon discover Walk1200km is a self-improvement challenge that is hard to beat.

GEAR TO HELP YOU WALK MORE THIS MONTH • This gear from Walk1200km partners will get you off to a flying start!

Your body on walking • Even a few minutes’ walk each day can transform your health, body and mind. Why haven’t you started already?

How to stay motivated • Motivation is crucial for a challenge that lasts a year.

What participants are saying • The Walk1200km challenge is helping thousands of people improve their health and fitness. Don’t just take our word for it, here is what some participants say.

Why walk 1200km? • Read about why some of last year's participants did the challenge.

#microchallenge 34 – 36 winners! • Complete the #microchallenges, as these Walk1200km participants have done, and receive a Walk1200km badge. The best effort in each challenge also receives a special prize from our partners!

January/February 2025 #microchallenges • In each issue, three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

Meet the partners • Without the support of the brands on these pages, there would be no Walk1200km. They are as enthusiastic about the challenge as you, and are hand-picked to enhance your walking and ensure you reach your goals.

PREDATORS MAKE ROBINS MORE CAUTIOUS

2025 WILDERNESS OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION • THE SEARCH IS ON FOR THE BEST OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE COUNTRY. PERHAPS YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN A WINNING IMAGE? If not, fear not: you have until February 28, 2025 to take it.

YOU PROBABLY AREN'T REPROOFING YOUR JACKET AS OFTEN AS YOU SHOULD • A revolution in outdoor gear is underway and affects how you care for your valuable waterproof jacket.

THE MAXIMALIST TRAMPER • While most trampers do all they can to cut weight from their pack, Regan Bridge is going in the opposite direction and aiming for the heaviest pack he can carry.

OH, THE PEOPLE YOU MEET • Bikers, botanists, birders, butterfly buffs; a multi-day tramp on a popular track reveals more than beautiful landscapes.

PERFECT PITCH • Seeking a campsite with a difference this summer? Here are 11 accessible spots to pitch your tent that will reward you with unrivalled panoramas.

THE ISLAND DOWN UNDER • With diverse coastline, exquisite forests and sometimes more kiwi than people, Rakiura’s North West Circuit deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Roaring THROUGH THE Ruahine • Even a wrong turn can’t dampen the thrill of a trip during the roar to the only lake in Ruahine Forest Park.

CUTTING a new path • Andrew Buglass is the driving force behind Permolat, a volunteer collective that has preserved huts and bivvies and tended to overgrown tracks on the West Coast for the past two...