Whether you're heading out for a quick day walk or a big backcountry mission, spending 10 minutes checking a few apps and websites before you leave can make a huge difference.
Winter is a beautiful time to get outside in New Zealand, but it's also when preparation becomes even more important. Weather changes quickly, river levels rise, alpine hazards increase and trail conditions can be very different from what you were expecting.
These are our favourite tools we regularly use for route planning, weather forecasts, navigation and trip preparation before heading out here in New Zealand.
1. NZ Topo 50
Best for: Navigation and route planning
NZ Topo maps are our go-to for understanding the terrain before we head out. You can check elevation profiles, river crossings and plot routes with distances and times Download maps before you go if you're heading somewhere without reception.
It works offline, you can share your location and you can record your hike in real time too. Fave feature? It has a 'Peak Finder' function where you point and shoot at a mountain and it tells you what you are looking at,
- Website: https://www.topomap.co.nz/
- Official Topo50 maps: https://www.linz.govt.nz/products-services/maps/new-zealand-topographic-maps
2. Mountain Forecast
Best for: Mountain-specific weather forecasts
Mountain weather is a different beast altogether. A low wind forecast in town doesn't mean it'll be calm at the summit. Mountain Forecast gives detailed weather information for peaks around New Zealand, and at the summits. You can see the hourly forecast, the tempereature by elevation and the wind speed and freezing levels.
- Website: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/
3. AllTrails
Best for: Finding new walks and reading recent trail reports
AllTrails is brilliant for discovering hikes, checking distances and elevations, and seeing recent reviews from other walkers. Walkers can add comments and photos on their hike so you can check recent track reports. It's a great starting point when planning somewhere new and you can also record your hikes with this.
- Website: https://www.alltrails.com/
4. Department of Conservation (DOC)
Best for: Track conditions, hut bookings and safety information
Always check DOC's website before heading out. You'll find alerts about track closures, weather impacts and important safety notices for New Zealand's walking tracks. It also updates you on parking and road access if roads are closed, this is the place to find out. This is the spot to find out about facilities and huts and you book your hut spot here.
- Website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/
5. NZ Avalanche Advisory
Best for: Alpine trips during winter
Heading above the bush line? Check the avalanche forecast first. Even if you're "just tramping", avalanche terrain exists in many popular alpine areas throughout New Zealand.
The forecasts are updated daily throughout winter and provide regional avalanche danger ratings and travel advice. You can find info on the snow pack conditions, danger ratings and public comments on recent avalanche observations.
- Website: https://www.avalanche.net.nz/
6. MetService
Best for: General weather forecasts
We always cross-check our weather forecasts. MetService is great for getting an overall picture of what's happening before comparing it with mountain-specific forecasts. It gives you three day specific mountain forecasts, weather warning alerts and wind speed, direction and rainfall predicitons.
- Website: https://www.metservice.com/
7. Lightning Maps
Best for: Tracking thunderstorms
If thunderstorms are forecast, Lightning Maps alerts you to incoming lightning strikes in real time. Particularly useful if you're planning an exposed ridgeline walk or alpine trip. You can track the storm movement, helping you if you are faced with one when you are out in the wild.
- Website: https://www.lightningmaps.org/
8. River Flow Rate
Best for: Checking river crossings
River crossings are one of the biggest hazards in New Zealand's backcountry in winter. Checking river flow data before you leave can help you decide whether the water levels are suitable or whether it's time for a Plan B. You can check river gauges, view historic data to know flow rates over time, and see river level and rainfall predictions.
- Website: https://flowrate.co.nz/
9. Merlin Bird ID
Best for: Identifying birds on your adventures
Not essential for safety, but definitely essential for making your tramps even more fun. Merlin Bird ID can identify birds by sight or sound and is a favourite for helping you identify what is singing in the trees. You can download bird info before you go too.
- Website: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
10. iNaturalist
Best for: Identifying plants, fungi and wildlife
Ever wondered what that weird-looking mushroom or native flower is? Snap a photo and upload it to iNaturalist to identify species you are curious about. You can search by the map or upload new observations for others to find. Using this app also contributes to valuable biodiversity research and citizen science projects.
- Website: https://www.inaturalist.org/
Before You Go
Our quick pre-trip checklist:
- Check the weather (on lots of apps).
- Check track conditions.
- Check river levels if crossings are involved.
- Download offline maps.
- Tell someone where you're going.
- Pack for conditions, not the forecast in town.
- Have a Plan B if conditions change.
- Take a Personal Locator Beacon just in case
These resources are widely used for navigation, weather forecasting, avalanche forecasting and outdoor safety information in New Zealand.
A little planning goes a long way in New Zealand's outdoors. The mountains will still be there tomorrow if the conditions aren't right today.
Happy tramping! 🏔️❄️