Tararua Range is loved and feared by trampers everywhere. Access is excellent, just an hour’s drive from Wellington, and its craggy pinnacles have proven irresistible to many.

Even the signs at entry points to the forest park, proclaiming that the tops are clagged in for four out of five days a year, do not deter the estimated 150,000 annual visitors. On the days when sunshine triumphs over 100kph winds and dripping wet fog, Tararua Range can’t be beaten.

Anna Watson has ranked every hut in the range based on character, condition and journey to reach the hut.

Missed Friday’s feature? Kākāpō lays egg on livestream, AllTrails names world’s 8 top hiking trails to visit in 2026, Detector Gadget comes out of retirement to hunt rat on Ulva Islandand more last week’s The World Outdoors.

Check Wednesday’s newsletter for the results!

Our March 2026 issue is online now and winging its way to subscribers in the post

What's in the issue?

Plus gear reviews, trip guides and dozens more stories!

Our photo of the week comes from #microchallenge29 winner Inna Alex. The challenge was to take a photo with “your oldest piece of kit in regular use.”

Inna was snapped joyfully used her MSR Whisperlite stove, which they have used for 25 years all over the world! “In German they call gear like this ‘unkaputtbar’, which is similar to ‘unbreakable’.”

Inna wins a Walk1200km partner prize of a $100 Back Country Cuisine Voucher!

Each month we set three new #microchallenges to add interest and silliness to your Walk1200km walks.Our favourite six #microchallenge completers receive a Walk1200km badge, and the best entry for each challenge receives a prize from our partners.

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