The first truly grueling New Zealand hike was a ten-mile roundtrip, 2,500 foot climb up to the Pinnacles in the North Island's Coromandel Forest, just East of the town of Thames. The track involves crossing narrow swing bridges, scaling walls using handholds, and ascending 600 slippery stone steps. Like most New Zealand trails, it's exceptionally well-maintained. Like all trails we climb, it's much more difficult when saddled with heavy camera equipment.  But the view from the top is stunning, and worth the hurt it put on our legs.

Look for The Pinnacles to be a favorite segment when we release our New Zealand run and hike series later this year.

When it's clear out, the view stretches all the way to the ocean.