Graded hard

Hard dog-friendly walks in New Zealand

Longer, steeper and rougher underfoot, with sustained climbs, roots and rock. Best kept to a strong, well-conditioned dog whose paws cope on hard ground.

229 hard tracks 48 where they can run 89 with water on the route
The complete list

The top 200 hard tracks

Sorted by rating. Every entry opens its full trail sheet with the elevation profile, dog access and nearest campsites.

HardDunedin
8.7 km↑548 m3.5–4 hr★4.7 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTūrangi
7.1 km↑567 m3–3.5 hr★4.7 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWānaka
28 km↑165 m7–7.5 hr★4.7 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWellington
8.7 km↑358 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardSheffield
6.8 km↑460 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTwizel
17 km↑913 m★4.6 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardSheffield
5.6 km↑448 m★4.6 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTaupō
17 km↑336 m5–5.5 hr★4.6 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Seasonal dog rules. Difficulty: Hard.
HardAshburton
6.8 km↑815 m4–4.5 hr★4.6 rating
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardLower Hutt
14 km↑654 m5–5.5 hr★4.6 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardLyttelton
5.1 km↑469 m2.5–3 hr★4.5 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardUpper Hutt
12 km↑690 m5–5.5 hr★4.5 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardOxford
20 km↑1128 m8–9 hr★4.5 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardArrowtown
15 km↑725 m5.5–6.5 hr★4.5 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardHavelock
7.7 km↑688 m★4.5 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardAmberley
15 km↑694 m5.5–6 hr★4.5 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWainuiomata
5.0 km↑380 m2–2.5 hr★4.6 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardPaeroa
15 km↑281 m5.5–6 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardSheffield
7.2 km↑640 m★4.4 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardSheffield
5.1 km↑782 m★4.4 rating
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWaikanae
12 km↑986 m6–6.5 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTaupō
23 km↑453 m6.5–7 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardSheffield
16 km↑570 m5.5–6 hr★4.5 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWellington
12 km↑449 m4–4.5 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardUpper Hutt
14 km↑746 m5.5–6 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardHanmer Springs
33 km↑910 m10.5–11.5 hr★4.6 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardŌtaki
37 km↑1922 m★4.6 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTimaru
26 km↑100 m6–6.5 hr★4.7 rating
Swim spotSealed underfoot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardLower Hutt
14 km↑770 m5.5–6 hr★4.5 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardHanmer Springs
8.5 km↑339 m3–3.5 hr★5.0 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWaikanae
5.3 km↑439 m2.5–3 hr★4.3 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardLyttelton
5.5 km↑431 m2.5–3 hr★4.3 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWaikanae
10 km↑769 m5–5.5 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTwizel
19 km↑275 m4.5–5 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardAshburton
16 km↑604 m4.5–5 hr★4.3 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWainuiomata
18 km↑1037 m7.5–8 hr★4.3 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTararua Forest Park
4.3 km↑366 m2–2.5 hr★4.3 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardMount Richmond Forest Park
45 km↑1334 m14.5–15.5 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardUpper Hutt
37 km↑1244 m12.5–13.5 hr★4.4 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTararua Forest Park
6.1 km↑656 m3.5–4 hr
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardCarterton
13 km↑730 m5.5–6 hr★4.2 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardŌtaki
6.6 km↑1057 m3.5–4 hr
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardSaint Arnaud
4.3 km↑716 m2–2.5 hr★4.0 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardWaiheke Island
56 km↑747 m14.5–16 hr★3.9 rating
Swim spotSealed underfoot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardChristchurch
14 km↑705 m5.5–6 hr★4.0 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardOxford
10 km↑409 m4.5–5 hr★3.6 rating
Swim spotShade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardŌtaki
11 km↑635 m★3.6 rating
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTe Anau
15 km↑767 m5.5–6 hr★3.6 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardThames
19 km↑746 m7–7.5 hr★3.4 rating
Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardRiverhead
5.0 km↑49 m2.5–3 hr★2.7 rating
Shade
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTwizel
13 km↑548 m
Swim spot
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTinwald
14 km↑212 m3h 10m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardPembroke
14 km↑59 m2h 48m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardAlexandra
10 km↑276 m2h 30m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardThames
6.1 km↑596 m2h 12m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardAlexandra
2.7 km↑0 m31m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardHira
14 km↑436 m3h 27m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
8.0 km↑410 m2h 16m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
9.9 km↑841 m3h 22m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
2.8 km↑432 m1h 16m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
9.7 km↑379 m2h 33m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
12 km↑413 m3h 3m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
4.9 km↑933 m2h 31m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
14 km↑791 m4h 11m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
6.4 km↑655 m2h 21m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
7.0 km↑770 m2h 41m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
3.1 km↑668 m1h 44m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
5.1 km↑418 m1h 43m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
14 km↑309 m3h 20m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
Hard
3.8 km↑583 m1h 44m
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardChristchurch
15 km↑96 m3 hr 6 min
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardOmarama
12 km↑407 m3 hr 1 min
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardLake Tekapo
13 km↑32 mabout 2 hr 39
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardLake Tekapo
9.9 km↑649 m3 hr 4 min
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardSprings Junction
15 km↑78 m3 hr 10 min
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardHaast
7.3 km↑770 mabout 2 hr 44
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardKaikōura
5.4 km↑919 mabout 2 hr 37
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardKaimanawa Forest Park
11 km↑470 mabout 2 hr 56
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardLake Moeraki
11 km↑254 mabout 2 hr 32
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardKāpiti Coast
35 km↑89 m7 hr 8 min
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardMakarora
3.4 km↑556 mabout 1 hr 36
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardDunedin
9.4 km↑380 mabout 2 hr 31
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardKuratau
9.3 km↑261 m2 hr 17 min
Dog access: Permit needed. Difficulty: Hard.
HardTwizel
11 km↑59 m2 hr 15 min
Dog access: Dogs allowed. Difficulty: Hard.

This page lists the 200 highest-rated. Every one of the 229 hard tracks is on the live map.

Star ratings are average scores from the walkers who have logged each track.

Keep exploring

Other ways to browse

Log it with your dog and keep the record

Join the pack: log walks, earn XP, get your dog drawn, and help keep every dog rule in New Zealand honest.

Join the pack