Hiking in Alpine Climates

The South Island isn’t here to play nice, it’s raw, wild, and keeps you on your toes. From towering peaks to remote backroads, this place will blow your mind, but it can also test your limits. If you’re planning to tackle summits and soak up the magic of Aotearoa, here’s what you need to know to do it right.

Whether you’re tackling a Great Walk like the Routeburn or doing a quick mission up Roy's Peak, alpine terrain is next level, but the conditions can turn on you real quick. Here’s what I’ve learnt after hiking all over the South Island, through snow, sleet, sideways rain, and sunshine.

The Weather is Wild

Alpine weather is unpredictable, like genuinely all over the place. You can start the hike in a T-shirt and end it in three layers and a beanie. Even in summer, it can snow on higher elevations. Winds up there can knock you sideways. Fog can roll in and wipe out your visibility in minutes.

Always check MetService and Mountain Forecast before you go. Be ready to pivot plans last minute. It’s not being dramatic, it’s staying alive. People get stuck, injured, or worse in these mountains every year. You’re not invincible.

What to Pack (Even for Day Hikes)

Don’t be fooled by sunshine at the car park. In alpine zones, you have to come prepared. Here’s what you should pack on a mountain hike:

• Waterproof jacket (I understand that good gear is expensive, so even adding a plastic poncho is good to have over the top of your other raincoat)

• Thermal base layers (top + bottom)

• Warm midlayer (fleece or down jacket)

• Gloves and beanie

• Heaps of snacks (duh) + lots of water

• Sunscreen + sunnies (snow glare is brutal)

• Offline map (AllTrails or Maps.me)

• First aid kit

• Head torch (even if you're planning to be back early)

• PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) if you're solo or heading off-grid

If you're hiking into snow or ice territory (even in spring or autumn), microspikes or crampons might be essential. Some tracks go from fine to totally sketchy in just a few hours when the temps drop.

Know Your Limits

There’s zero shame in turning back. I’ve bailed on hikes when the weather changed or I wasn’t feeling 100%. Altitude and exposure can make tracks way tougher than they look on the map.

Don’t push through “just because” or for the Insta shot. These mountains will humble you real quick if you’re not careful. People have died from doing that.

Trail Markings & Terrain

Above the treeline, tracks usually aren’t clear-cut paths, they’re marker poles across rock, tussock, or snow. If clouds or storms roll in, it’s super easy to lose your bearings.

Make sure your phone’s charged and your maps are downloaded.

Timing Matters

Start early. Alpine hikes can take longer than you think, especially with climbs or bad weather. Mornings are usually calmer, and getting caught out after dark up high? Not fun. Bonus: sunrise views from the top = worth every sleepy step.

Also, don’t rely on cell signal and always tell someone your plans

Hiking in alpine areas is one of the best things you can do in NZ, but it’s also where nature demands the most respect. These trails are stunning, but they’re not tame. The combo of wild weather, remote locations, and serious terrain means you need to be switched on. 

Come prepared, hike smart, and you’ll have the kind of mountain memories you’ll never forget in a good way, not a rescue chopper way.

Happy hiking and stay safe out there xx