Star Ratings Make Plan My Walk Even Better for Summer Trips
Media Release
A new star rating system on Plan My Walk, the free trip-planning tool NZ Mountain Safety Council’s (MSC), will help hikers and trampers find the best trips for their summer adventures.
The introduction of the five-star system allows users to rate their tramp, hut or campsite experience when they leave a Plan My Walk review. The result is an overall star rating for each listing, making it easier to compare trip options at a glance.
New pre-set review tags have also been released to make it easy for users to highlight key safety considerations and points of interest on the track.
“The new elements have been designed to make it easier for the Plan My Walk community to leave helpful reviews that will benefit others using the trip planning tool,” says Mike. “We’re excited to release these just in time for summer.”
Reviewers can select from seven safety tags, such as ‘Steep drop-offs’, ‘River crossings’, ‘Overgrown’ and ‘Muddy’, so others know what to expect on a track. Seven other tags highlight features on the track like ‘Scenic views’, ‘Native birds’, ‘Swimming spots’ and ‘Waterfalls’, making it easier for people to find trips that match their interests.
“We know reviews are highly valued by Plan My Walk users, providing timely information from other community members. We’re confident they’ll make Plan My Walk an even more valuable tool for locals and international visitors, and ultimately this makes everyone safer,” says Mike.
The enhancements come just in time for the launch of MSC’s annual Plan My Walk summer review competition. Everyone who shares a track, hut or campsite review on Plan My Walk between 1 December 2025 and 30 April 2026 will automatically enter the draw to win one of five $500 vouchers for new gear from their favourite New Zealand outdoor store.
Last summer, more than 430,000 people used Plan My Walk, logging over 3,000 new reviews. This brought the total to over 10,000 reviews since launching in 2021.
"We were delighted at the response last summer, and we’re urging outdoor enthusiasts to rise to the challenge again. By sharing their experiences, they’re helping others prepare better and stay safe in the outdoors,” says Mike.
User reviews offer a personal account of a track, hut or campsite, including useful tips and recommendations.
Competition terms and Conditions
- Competition period: 1 December 2025 – 30 April 2026.
- The competition is open to permanent New Zealand residents that are aged 16 years or older.
- Reviews must be at least 10 words long and include a star rating and at least one photo.
- Reviews must reflect a genuine experience from the entrant within the competition timeframe.
- Reviews promoting unsafe behaviours or activities may be removed at the discretion of New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC).
See the full Ts & Cs here.
Find Out More
- Trip planning | Use Plan My Walk, our free trip planning tool, to choose tracks, build a gear list, get alerts and share trip plans
- Weather skills | Be prepared for all weather on your next tramp or hike
- River safety skills | Learn essential river crossing skills
PHOTO CREDIT | Lydia Persson, Plan My Walk | Abel Tasman Coast Track